Why is libidinal “enjoyment” such an integral part of racism and racial identity? How do such modes of enjoyment – or jouissance – involve attributions of narcissistic libidinal treasures (our country, our culture, our way of life, etc.) that are always at risk of being stolen? How, moreover, do such forms of enjoyment entail the presumption that others are enjoying ‘beyond their station’, in ways are both illicit and that threaten me with castration? This talk will explore how the Lacanian reinvention of the Freudian notion of libido helps shed light on many facets of contemporary racism. It will link ideas of drive, superego, fantasy and excess-stimulation to racism as a type of ‘passionate investment’. In so doing, we will also consider how many of the most common everyday notions pertaining to racism (notions of intolerance, unconscious bias, projection, ignorance) are perhaps inadequate in grappling with the persistence of racism today.
Learning Objectives:
After attending this talk participants will:
1. Understand the crucial elements of Lacan's notion of jouissance (or libidinal enjoyment) and how this concept, in its joining of notions of fantasy, (death)drive, superego and excess-stimulation, helps us understand the persistence of racism in the contemporary world and question many predominant psychological explanations of racism
2. Recognize how race can be understood, psychoanalytically, as libidinal, as entailing fantasies of one's own narcissistic libidinal treasures and of the other's toxic and castrating modes of enjoyment which are underwritten both by drive impulses and superegoic imperatives.
About Our Presenter:
Derek Hook, Ph.D. is an associate professor of psychology and clinical supervisor in the department of psychology at Duquesne University. He is the author of 'Six Moments in Lacan' and 'A Critical Psychology of the Postcolonial' and, along with Calum Neill, he edits to Palgrave Lacan Series. His most recent publication is a volume, edited with Sheldon George, entitled 'Lacan and Race'. Along with Stijn Vanheule and Calum Neill he is the editor of the four-volume series 'Reading Lacan's Ecrits'.
Continuing Medical Education Statement
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint providership of the American Psychoanalytic Association and Pittsburgh Psychoanalytic Center. The American Psychoanalytic Association is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The American Psychoanalytic Association designates this Live Activity for a maximum number of (2) AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Important Disclosure Information For All Learners
None of the planners and presenters of this CME program have any relevant financial relationships to disclose.
APA-American Psychological Association Statement
Pittsburgh Psychoanalytic Center is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education programs for psychologists.
Pittsburgh Psychoanalytic Center maintains responsibility for the program and its content.
This program is being offered for 2.0 continuing education credits.
Participants must pay tuition fee, sign in, attend the entire seminar, and complete an evaluation in order to receive a certificate of completion. Participants not fulfilling these requirements will not receive a certificate. Partial credit is not available.
Need more information? Call Pittsburgh Psychoanaltyic Center @ 412-661-4224 or email: [email protected]