“Decolonial Hope, Speculative Futurity: How Latinx Literature and Culture Teach us to Persevere in Times of Polycrisis” a talk with Dr. David j. Vázquez

David J. Vázquez is Professor of Critical Race, Gender, and Culture Studies and Director of the Latina/o/x Studies Program. He teaches courses on comparative Latina/o/x literature and culture, comparative ethnic American cultures, critical race theory, environmental justice, ecocriticism, and 20th Century U.S. Literature. He is the author of Decolonial Environmentalisms: Climate Justice and Speculative Futurity in Latinx Cultural Production (Texas 2025). Decolonial Environmentalisms argues that the mainstream environmental movement is implicated in racial capitalism, not least through its ignorance of environmental justice as it pertains to Latinx people. Through close readings of eco-minded novels, films, visual art, and short stories by Chicanx, Puerto Rican, Dominican, Cuban American, Peruvian, and Central American culture makers, Vázquez surfaces diverse Latinx visions for an equitable and sustainable humanity.

RSVP by 11/06/26

Co-sponsored by the Department of English, Department of Chicano/Latino Studies, Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies, and Environmental Humanities Research Center