Session IV.E. Society for Mexican American Philosophy: Inclusive Latinx Communities in the United States

Chair: Sergio Gallegos, John Jay College of Criminal Justice – CUNY

Society for Mexican American Philosophy

Invited Session at the 46th Annual Meeting of SAAP

Panel: Inclusive Latinx Communities in the United States

General Description: This panel will discuss how Latinx communities in the US could and/or should remain inclusive and open to new immigrants from Latin America and other regions, as well as to minorities within the large umbrella term “Latinx”.

Moderator:

Sergio Gallegos, John Jay College of Criminal Justice – CUNY

Titles and Panelists:

A New tribalism within Philosophy

Aurora Montemayor

University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley

“Though most people self-define by what they exclude; we define who we are by what we include – what I call the new tribalism” (Gloria Anzaldua). In my essay I will address the topic of inclusivity not only in Latinx communities but also within the philosophical community and how it is important for the advancement of our field. As we are trying to advance philosophy we need to include or shatter the image of the “White old man” that rules it. I will talk about my experiences in programs such as PIKSI and my lived experience as having lived in a border town. All of this plays a larger role in being inclusive, and also in being proud of your heritage and celebrating our differences. This can help us become better and grow more in philosophy or in communities in general.

Minorities within a Minority. Towards a More Inclusive Relationship with Latinx Minority Communities.
Alessandro Moscaritolo
University of Illinois at Chicago

Drawing on my personal experiences as a new Venezuelan gay immigrant of color in the U.S., I am interested in discussing how established (or more ‘traditional’) Latinx communities in the U.S. could be more inclusive towards emerging (or ‘non-traditional’) Latinx communities --particularly national, sexual, and racial Latinx minorities. To this end, I am interested in discussing some ways in which our highly general cultural affinities as Latinxs in fact interact with our very diverse national, social, and personal identities. More specifically, I want to explore how, by acknowledging the undeniable asymmetries in fact resulting from these interactions (as opposed to either belittling or trying to ignore them altogether), we could make room for a richer, and more accurate, notion of Latinx identity. The upshot of this discussion is, then, expected to be twofold. In addition to paving the way for a more inclusive experience of being a Latinx in the U.S., by embracing the diversity inherent to our shared identity we could also be better equipped to disprove dangerous, and bogus, stereotyped views of Latinxs.

Our Moral Obligations to Extremely Needy Immigrants

Enrique Chavez-Arvizo

John Jay College of Criminal Justice — CUN