SOAS World Philosophies Lecture 28: Abolishing Race/ism: Toward a Global Ethic of Liberation, by Sheena Mason

[Elvis Imafidon]

Dear Colleagues, 

The Centre for Global and Comparative Philosophies is pleased to invite you to the 28th Lecture in the SOAS World Philosophies Lecture Series.  The Lecture will be delivered by Sheena Mason, Associate Professor at the State University of New York, Oneonta. The venue and details are below: 

Date

Friday, October 31, 2025

Time

14:00 (UK Time)

Place

Online (register HERE to get the Zoom link for all events. If you are already on our mailing list, you do not need to register; join HERE).

Title

Abolishing Race/ism: Toward a Global Ethic of Liberation

Summary

This talk advances the togetherness wayfinder (formerly the theory of racelessness) as a liberatory, decolonial praxis within global and comparative philosophy. Rather than denying histories of racialization, within the togetherness wayfinder “racelessness” interrogates race as an imposed classification that organises and mandates harm, while centring dignity, relation, and plurality. Drawing on Africana thought (Mbembe, Morrison, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o, Hurston), Caribbean poetics (Glissant, Walcott), and comparative traditions of personhood and interdependence, I outline the togetherness wayfinder, a practical framework for translating racial discourse and practices into effectively humanising language about culture, power, ethics and practices. The togetherness wayfinder clarifies analysis, reorients pedagogy, and opens coalitional possibilities. The aim is not erasure, but emancipation: moving from racial subjection to shared responsibility and freedom.

Speaker Bio

Dr. Sheena Michele Mason is an associate professor in English at SUNY Oneonta in Oneonta, New York, USA and author of The Raceless Antiracist and Theory of Racelessness. Her work bridges literature, Africana philosophy, and decolonial ethics to develop the togetherness wayfinder, a framework for humanising discourse and actions. She is an active public scholar and educational consultant and directs innovative programs that enhance the aims of human rights efforts.

Best wishes,

Dr Elvis Imafidon

Chair, Centre for Global and Comparative Philosophies

Department of Religions and Philosophies,
School of History, Religions and Philosophies,
SOAS, University of London.

[Elvis Imafidon]

Dear Colleagues,

Hope you are well. A reminder that this lecture takes place today at 14:00 UK Time. Details and joining link can be found here:

https://www.soas.ac.uk/about/event/abolishing-race/ism-toward-global-ethic-liberation