February is both ‘Ōlelo Hawaiʻi Month and Black History/ Black Futures Month and we're hosting a conversation between community members, linguists, and language activists about what the common experiences of linguistic discrimination, resistance, and resilience might mean for building solidarity between Hawaiian and Black communities here in Hawai‘i and around the world. Panelists will discuss the ways in which Black and Native communities are rendered invisible and invalid through language and how this impacts our identities, looking at the denigration of both ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i and Black language in recent court cases. We will talk about acts of resistance and resilience that both communities have engaged in to be heard and to be seen, how our language practices undermine empire and how we can recognize, validate and celebrate others' language movements without appropriation.

Panelists Dr. Akiemi Glenn, Ho‘oleia Kaeo, and Taylor Lewis

Sponsored by the Pōpolo Project, University of Hawai‘i Graduate Student Organization, Black Student Association, Ethnic Studies Student Association, Native Hawaiian Student Services, Office of Student Equity and Diversity