Historical Views
Beyond the Oriental Despot and the Fanatic: The Failure of Democratization Projects during Modern State-Building in Morocco (1955-1960) View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Osire Glacier
Taking Morocco as a case study, my current research strives to deconstruct erroneous beliefs that divide the West and the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) countries into opposing camps. As Edward Said, founder of postcolonial studies, highlights, while the West tends to be viewed as the cradle of democracy, the Orient is perceived as despotic and fanatical. Advocating for the eradication of reductive stereotypes and for the pursuit of an inclusive democracy globally, my work demonstrates that authoritarianism and regressive interpretations of religion are geopolitical products, rather than cultural and religious fatalities. To do so, I analyze the mechanisms that led to the failure of the democratization projects during the first stages of modern state-building in Morocco (1955-1960). I examine new sources, including testimonies, newspaper clippings from that time, and documents from family archives. Adopting mixed subalternist approaches, I offer a corrective re-examination of concepts and key events conveyed by official historical sources. By revealing the struggles of citizens for democratization, my research shows that the Moroccan people worked with limited resources and took personal risks to democratize the power structures in the country. Conversely, the West contributed to the failure of movements for democratization in Morocco, among others by selling military equipment and mass surveillance infrastructures to the governing elite.
Empowering Voices: Exploring the Career Journeys of Women of Color HR Professionals Amidst Societal Disruption View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Brandi R. Muñoz
This research study delves into the career journey of women of color (WOC) amidst disruptive societal changes. Focusing on certified and noncertified human resource (HR) WOC professionals in large corporate entities in Houston, Texas, this narrative inquiry aims to uncover common themes. HR professionals play a distinctive role, in applying organizational policies that can significantly impact employees' career progression while managing their own career paths. They also wield varying degrees of influence when collaborating with business leaders on employment decisions for others. Consequently, this research collects data on the life and work experiences of HR professionals who belong to historically underrepresented groups to gain insights into their unique perspectives. Through qualitative data analysis, this study seeks to unravel the root causes of socioeconomic and career advancement challenges faced by WOC in corporate America within the HR field. The outcomes of this research have the potential to inform human resource practitioners, organizational development professionals, advocacy groups, and others. These stakeholders can use evidence-based findings to engage corporate leaders in the United States, fostering greater career advancement and leadership opportunities for WOC in the workplace. Narrative inquiry is the chosen research design and method for this study due to its ability to illuminate the experiences of WOC in the HR field. This approach sheds light on the systemic race and gender inequities within the U.S. corporate landscape, providing valuable insights for addressing these issues and promoting inclusivity and equity in organizational leadership.
