Conference Theme: “Roots/Routes of Resistance and Resilience”
Please join us in Dallas, Texas, April 11-14, 2024, for the 38th annual MELUS conference, sponsored by Southern Methodist University Department of English.
The city of Dallas, Texas, located in the northern part of the state along the Trinity River, was called home by the Caddo, Wichita, Comanche, and Kiowa, who were among the earliest stewards of this land. Dallas provides a unique and compelling backdrop for the exploration of our conference theme, “Roots/Routes of Resistance and Resilience.” Set within the culturally rich and diverse landscape of the area known locally as the Metroplex, our conference aims to delve into the complex dynamics of resistance and resilience that have marked the fabric of the region and the nation. A city of over 1.3 million diverse peoples, with its multifaceted history of civil rights activism, burgeoning immigrant communities, and prominence in the oil and energy sectors, Dallas serves as an ideal setting to investigate the intricate and often unexpected ways individuals and communities navigate adversity, challenge systemic oppression, recognize the roots of the work we have cultivated, and carve out new paths for a more inclusive and equitable future.
The history of Dallas is deeply intertwined with social justice movements and the pursuit of equity. As a major urban center in the South, the city has been a battleground for civil rights activism and desegregation since the 1950s, when activists like Juanita Jewel Craft struggled to dismantle racial barriers and challenge oppressive systems. At the same time, more than 20,000 people representing 90 tribes were moved to the Dallas area from 1957 to 1973 by the assimilationist American Indian Relocation program. Through its many neighborhoods, districts, and centers, Dallas has been a site of integration, segregation, and deterritorialization since its founding. The assassination of President John F. Kennedy in Dallas in 1963 marked a pivotal moment in American history, casting a somber shadow over the city and serving as a reminder of the turbulent social and political climate of the era. Dallas has also witnessed the emergence of prominent African American and Latinx leaders who have relentlessly fought for the rights of marginalized communities. In recent years, the city’s growing immigrant population has further diversified its social landscape, prompting new conversations around multiculturalism, inclusion, and the importance of intersectionality in the struggle for social justice. Today, Dallas continues to grapple with its complex past, embracing its history as a source of inspiration and resilience for ongoing efforts to foster change as subject matter for its thriving art scene in spaces like the Cara Mía theater, the Dallas Black Dance Theater along with numerous galleries and museums. The city of Dallas is the county seat of Dallas County, which in 2021 declared racism to be a public health crisis. And though Latinos comprise 42% of Dallas and Blacks make up 24%, reports show that there are massive disparities in home ownership, earnings, and education when compared to Whites, who account for 29% of the population in the city.
Also, we cannot conceive of Dallas without taking into consideration the state itself. Texas is at the forefront of efforts to silence discussions on DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) issues, Critical Race Theory, LGBTQIA+ movements, libraries, and women’s rights. Such efforts of erasure and invisibility should cause us to redouble our efforts to amplify marginalized voices, foster open dialogue, and challenge policies and ideologies that seek to suppress the rich diversity and complexity of human experiences. By engaging in scholarly inquiry and collaborative action, we can work to counteract these repressive forces and create opportunities for growth, understanding, and the pursuit of social justice for all members of our society, both within Dallas and beyond. Our theme acknowledges that these attacks are not new; we have seen them before. The roots of our solidarity empower us in the face of these challenges. We are called upon to resist, knowing it will require resilience on our part to keep up the struggle. Yet these routes have been charted before, and now new routes must be created to rise to the challenge of the moment.