SONG AND DANCE - THE PERFORMANCE OF ANTIRACIST WORKSHOPS

Because of their increasing presence in a variety of organizations, an tiracist workshops have been significant in the recent history of anti racism, and are an important site for analysing local, racialized powe r relations. By reflecting on workshop practices that emphasize disclo sure and display of personal experiences of racism, we may raise quest ions about how knowledge of racial identities, racism and antiracism i s locally produced, understood, defined and circumscribed. The relatio ns and confinements of representation in these workshop practices are compared to the similar tendencies of multiculturalist practice and po licy. The alternatives suggested by this critique are also explored, i ncluding a model of antiracist workshops based on practical coalition politics.