Department of English, Research Seminar Series

Sara Martín-Ruiz, University of the Balearic Islands

3 November, 3-4 pm Online, Microsoft Teams: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3awm5lwLLEXYJV16sFRgA7khFo8H42QWE7ISvhC2-qcqg1%40thread.tacv2/1631615817221?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%2246fe5ca5-866f-4e42-92e9-ed8786245545%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%229388a8d1-25e6-4ab4-ab6f-56373146031f%22%7d

Ireland, the country of the welcomes… Or is it? Drawing from Critical Race Theory, this talk proposes to read the fictional texts written by Marsha Mehran, Ifedinma Dimbo, and Melatu Uche Okorie as examples of counter-narratives against the Irish hegemonic anti-immigrant discourse, as epitomised in the system of Direct Provision. Combining a literary and a sociological, activist-informed approach, this session will explore how systemic racism against international protection applicants in Ireland is reflected in their editorial marginalisation; as well as the political power that these fictional accounts may have in the fight for social justice.