Red Emma’s

Anthropology offers several angles of insight into political revolution. Observers have called for an anthropological role in examining the cultural construction of politics, the ritualistic nature of revolutionary actions, and the lived experience of revolutionary events.  Anthropologists have increasingly been on-the-scene in major upheavals including Latin American revolts against neoliberalism and regime-unseating protest movements in distinct geographical locations. Arguably, this new engagement with the experience and process of revolution is now bearing fruit.  The ethnographers on this panel will reflect on the following questions:  How is new ethnographic engagement with disruptive politics and political turning points changing our view of revolution? Is contemporary revolution a different social object than in previous decades? Is revolution undergoing a change in form and meaning as it becomes more approachable? What theoretical reflections emerge from a closer engagement between ethnographers and revolution? What is the place of ethnographic reportage in the swirling processes of communication through which on-the-ground events become a society-wide revolution and a worldwide spectacle? Participants in this panel have engaged ethnography with revolutionary moments in Latin America, the Middle East and the United States. Come hear their thoughts and participate in an important conversation about Revolution in the 21st Century. Panelists: Brett Williams, Anthropologist, American University Carwil Bjork James, Anthropologist, Vanderbilt University Michal Osterweil, Anthropologist, UNC Carlota McAllister, Anthropologist, York University Bret Gustafson, Anthropologist, Wash U in St. Louis