Annual Philosophy Lecture - Aribiah David Attoe [Wits University]

[Paul Michael]

Dear All,

Perhaps of interest to you:

The Department of Philosophy in the Wits School

of Social Sciences cordially invites you to the

4th annual philosophy lecture

Speaker: Doctor Aribiah David Attoe

Spectres of Anti-blackness:

The African Experience

Date: 18 September 2025

Time: 17:00 - 20:30 pm

Venue: Wits Club, Braamfontein Campus West

Registration link: shorturl.at/wOqW7

Enquiries:

Khondlo Mtshali (Khondlo...@wits.ac.za)

and Julia Mamabolo (Julia.M...@wits.ac.za )

RSVP: Julia.M...@wits.ac.za

Abstract: In this talk, I explore the nature of antiblackness as occasioned by powerlessness

and social death, and as experienced by Africans within and outside the continent. I argue that African humanist stories like Ubuntu and Ukama, and other such tales, often invoked by African philosophers, are insufficient responses—amounting to little/nothing more than wishful thinking. Rejecting the hopeful philosophies of thinkers like Steve Biko, and the

consolationist philosophy of Ada Agada, as unhelpful distractions, I propose more radical solutions(?): the gamble of a brand-new world, the neutrality of revolutionary suicide,and/or the sober resignation of tragic optimism.

Regards!

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