Latinos, the Voting Rights Act and Political Engagement Conference Thursday & Friday, Nov. 12 & 13, 2015
Thompson Conference Center, The University of Texas at Austin Campus
Call for Abstracts/ and Roundtable Proposals http://
Keynote speaker: Vilma Martinez, former president and general counsel of MALDEF
Submission Deadline of Abstracts/Roundtable Proposals: Monday, May 25, 2015
In 1975, the expansion and extension of the Voting Rights Act advanced the rights of Latinos and others. It was only one of several developments of the 1960s and 1970s that led to greater Latino political empowerment: the War on Poverty programs provided new resources, perspectives and leadership opportunities for Latinos. Simultaneously, more Latinos become active in collective bargaining, which also led to greater political leverage. This conference seeks to explore the Latino experience with the Voting Rights Act and the broader experience of political engagement among U.S. Latinos for the time period of the 1960s through today.
The Latino Voting Rights Act and Political Empowerment Conference organizers are accepting paper abstracts and roundtable proposals. Paper abstracts may be based in various disciplines: history, law, Chicano/a, Mexican American or Latino Studies, anthropology, history, political science, sociology, communication, etc. Use of oral history interviews, within existing archives or newly recorded, is particularly encouraged. Selected papers that rely on oral histories will be included in later publication. Possible topics include:
· Development of political participation locally? Statewide? Nationally?
· Analyses of specific events or personalities of the period (i.e., Willie Velasquez, Congressman Ed Roybal, the 1975 extension and expansion of the VRA, etc.)
· What are the limits of political parties? Of electoral politics?
· The degree to which Latinos are included in the U.S. polis
· The role of organized labor in political engagement
· Municipal annexation and other strategies that diluted Latino political strength
· Media coverage of events and personalities
· Current manifestations of political engagement
· Effect of War on Poverty and other federal programs on engagement
· How does Latino political representation affect the broader Latino community?
· Descriptive vs. Substantive Representation
· Latino avenues to leadership
· Effects of La Raza Unida political party
· The role of non-profits organizations/religion/school segregation in Latino political engagement
Paper abstracts:
Proposed papers should be based on original research and must not have been published previously, or have been submitted for presentation or publication elsewhere. Abstracts should be no longer than three pages, double-spaced, and should address the basic premise of the proposed paper, what questions the scholar wishes to answer, and what methodology will be used to answer them. It should also include a partial bibliography. A short resume, or a c.v. no longer than five pages, should accompany the proposal. Email submissions of MSWord documents to mrivas@austin.utexas.edu<
Scholars whose abstracts are selected will be expected to submit a completed paper by noon CST, Monday, Sept. 28,2015. Paper presenters will participate in a one-day closed workshop on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2015 and present their completed paper the following day at the Latino Voting Rights Act and Political Empowerment Conference.Paper presenters will be provided food and lodging and will receive a travel stipend.
Roundtable proposals:
Roundtable proposals should include an abstract of no longer than two pages. They should:
1. Summarize the overview of the topic that will be discussed, posing questions, or outlining perspectives that might be addressed. (It is suggested that there be diversity of perspectives, rather than all participants representing the same perspective.)
2. The names, emails and phone numbers of participants, including one moderator and four to five round-table participants.
3. A one-page resume for each participant.
Email submissions of MSWord documents to mrivas@austin.utexas.edu<
Roundtable participants will be provided food and parking. A limited amount of travel funds will be disbursed to roundtable participants.
The Conference Planning Committee consists of the heads of three University of Texas at Austin entities:
Regina Lawrence, Director, Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Life<http://communication.
David Leal, Director, Irma Rangel Public Policy Institute<http://www.utexas.
Maggie Rivas-Rodriguez, Director, Voces Oral History Project<file:///C:\Users\
Notification of abstract proposal and roundtable selection: Early June 2015
Requirements for papers will be provided to those selected.
Submission of completed papers: Monday, Sept. 28, 2015
(Scholars who have not turned in a completed paper will not be included in the program.)
Maggie Rivas-Rodriguez, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, University of Texas School of Journalism
1 University Station A1000
Austin, TX 78712-1073
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