Date: 23 September 2024
Format: Online Dialogue
Speakers: Prof. Grant Farred & Prof. Crain Soudien
In this intellectually rich session, author Prof. Grant Farred explored the central themes of his latest work, The Perversity of Gratitude, in conversation with renowned educationist Prof. Crain Soudien.
The dialogue unpacked:
- The paradox of expressing gratitude for education under apartheid
- The intellectual and emotional legacy of being “educated by the oppressor”
- How this legacy shapes current conversations on race, memory, and pedagogy in post-apartheid South Africa
Prof. Farred offered a deeply personal reflection, stating:
“Why did I write The Perversity of Gratitude? To honour the educators who shaped my intellectual journey and reflect on the complexities of learning during apartheid.”
This thought-provoking event encouraged attendees to examine how systems of oppression can influence the very tools we use to understand and resist them.
