Photos from this event here.
Political Intrigue, Celebration Capitalism, and Spotlight on Korea.
It appears the 2018 Winter Olympics, taking place in Pyeongchang, South Korea, will be an arena for politics as well as sports. The Games are taking place against a backdrop of rising military tensions involving North Korea, accusations of corruption against the International Olympic Committee, and the ban of Russia over doping allegations.
How will these geopolitical tensions play out in the Winter Games? What do these Games have to teach us about issues of race, gender, and class-based exploitation? And in this context, how should Olympians carry forward the torch of political activism recently lit by athletes in the US and across the world?
We are excited to welcome a group of experts to take us through the historical politics of the Winter Olympics, the connection between international sporting events and “celebration capitalism,” and the potential for international sport to help us teach countries how to play fair.
Following the panel there will be a Winter Olympic viewing party on the RLS–NYC big screen, along with sweet friends, salty snacks and drinks.
Speakers:
Jules Boykoff, Pacific University, Professor; Author of Celebration Capitalism and the Olympic Games
Amira Rose Davis, Penn State University, Professor; Author of “Can’t Eat a Medal”: The Lives and Labors of Black Women Athletes in the Age of Jim Crow
Minky Worden, Human Rights Watch; Director of Global Initiatives
Moderated by Stefanie Ehmsen, Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung—New York Office, Co-director
WHEN: February 15, 2018, 6:00pm
WHERE: Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung—New York Office
275 Madison Ave., Suite 2114 (entrance on 40th Street)
Please RSVP for the event here.
Download the flyer for this event here.
