Symbols and iconography derived from the Scottish Highlands have been used and reused in anglophone popular culture for over two centuries.
This heritage might seem little more than a frivolous form of fantasy and escapism, as seen in Outlander and Highland Games, but for Michael Newton, Ph.D of Celtic Studies in Scotland, it’s an unfortunate oversimplification.
The Gaelic community is a real but marginalized ethnic group in Scotland with vestiges of immigrant communities in North America. Its internal forms of culture, language, and identity are markedly distinct from those of the anglophone world.
Dr. Newton will share the critical perspectives about the history of empire and colonialism, the evolution of racial ideology, and the significance of folklore (forms of music, dance and oral tradition) and culture in maintaining community. Last, he’ll explore the challenges of revitalizing the language and culture of marginalized communities.