Call for Submissions – Being from
Thanks to the kind support of the Lotto Foundation Berlin, we’ve been able to bring you a variety of new voices through our [poco.lit. space] project. Since its inception, poco.lit. has sought to create spaces to discuss and learn about postcolonialism. One of these spaces is our online magazine and we are now seeking out new contributions. This is our third call for submissions and we are looking for pieces about being from. Please send us your pitch!
In a number of postcolonial contexts, particularly settler colonial ones like the USA, Canada and Australia, Indigeneity is claimed with empowering content by groups who were/are marginalized and dispossessed by coloniality. In this context, those who inhabited territories before colonisation are understood as Indigenous, as opposed to (the descendants of) settlers. In these regions, the concept is often used to fight for rights, sovereignty or decolonisation, among other things. In many cases, these movements oppose false, derogatory or romanticised representations of Indigenous people (such as is to be found in Karl May’s work).
Although the term “Indigenous” (as well as a number of others related to it, such as “First Nations” or “Aboriginal”) may represent a variety of political positions, it has come to be associated with movements that are invested in deconstructing discrimination, and working against inequality. Yet ideas of being autochthonous, native to, or the rightful heirs of, a particular space are also increasingly mobilized by right-wing groups in Europe and elsewhere. Here, they often serve to sustain social hierarchies, uphold white supremacy, and argue against migration.
We warmly invite you to send us your pitch for a book review, an essay or an interview in relation to the following:
- What does Indigineity mean in different contexts?
- How is the idea of being from somewhere originally utilized politically, legally and polemically by different forces?
- What are some of the ambivalences related to being from, Indigeneity or autochtony?
Framework:
- Types of text: reviews, essays & interviews (reviews are particularly relevant for poco.lit.)
- Word limit: reviews 300-500 words, essays & interviews 800-1000 words
- Language: English or German, for a non-academic audience
- Payment: reviews 60 €, essays and interviews 120 € (you need a European bank account or PayPal.)
- Contributions from BIPOC are particularly welcome
First, we just want your pitch. Send us your pitch to info@pocolit.com with the subject “poco.lit. space pitch.” Deadline: September 8th. If your suggestion is a good fit for poco.lit., we’ll discuss further arrangements with you.
We welcome creative, thoughtful and accessible pieces!