[Commlist] CFP: Flow Volume 26 Special Issue: "New Faces, New Voices, New Bodies: Current Thoughts on Media Representations"

Call for Papers:

Flow Volume 26 Special Issue: “New Faces, New Voices, New Bodies: 
Current Thoughts on Media Representations”


The summer of 2019 has seen a variety of news reports and stories 
announcing and celebrating the accomplishments of diversity, 
inclusivity, and socio-political progress across the entertainment 
industries. Examples include Ali Stroker’s monumental win at the Tony 
Awards (as the first wheelchair user to win an award); the casting of 
Halle Bailey in Disney’s live-adaptation of The Little Mermaid; Marvel 
Studios’ casting of Simu Liu, Salma Hayek, and Mahershala Ali in lead 
roles as well as the hiring of non-white and non-male directors for 
Phase 4 projects; the announcement that the 007 role in the James Bond 
franchise will now be played by Black woman, Lashana Lynch; the 
development and production of a queer-centered superhero television 
series in the upcoming Batwoman on The CW; and the critically-acclaimed 
and fan-lauded careers of musicians like Lil Nas X and Lizzo taking 
center stage in the music industry.


This inaugural issue of Flow’s twenty-sixth volume, “New Faces, New 
Voices, New Bodies: Current Thoughts on Media Representations,” asks 
cultural and media scholars to consider these recent developments from 
historical, industrial, political, economic, cultural, and national 
lenses. Arguably, this phenomenon has occurred before (to name a few, 
the ‘70s with Blaxploitation, socially “relevant” TV programming, and 
the popular embrace of funk and soul; the late ‘80s and early ‘90s with 
Hollywood’s New Black Wave, the flood of Black sitcoms on network 
television, and the mainstream success of hip-hop and rap; and the late 
‘90s and early ‘00s with the rise of Latinx stars in pop music, 
“multiculti” ensemble casts, and the appearance of LGBTQ characters  in 
primetime). This special issue seeks to understand: What is new about 
this moment? How can we discuss these developments without losing sight 
of the economic motives of conglomerates? How can we define and discuss 
this current wave of diversity, inclusivity, and progressive action in 
the industries? And to what extent are these industry strategies of 
diversity and inclusivity sustainable? Possible topics include, but are 
by no means limited to:

  *

    LGBTQ identities in contemporary fiction and non-fiction media

  *

    Effects of trailblazing texts and figures on the media industry

  *

    Discourses of authenticity, sincerity, progress, and pandering

  *

    Late-night television, political comedy, and the Trump administration

  *

    Cultural and political responses to casting and production 
announcements

  *

    Genre-specific examinations of identity and representation

  *

    Comparative analyses of historical precedents and contemporary
    resurgences

  *

    Conglomeration, technology, and regulation as pressure points for
    diversity and inclusivity, particularly in corporate diversity
    initiatives and campaigns

  *

    Global perspectives of identity and representation


To be considered for this timely issue, please submit a completed short 
essay of 1200-1500 words, along with at least three images (.png), 
video, and/or new media files (GIFs, etc.), and a short bio, to Rusty 
Hatchell and Selena Dickey at (flowjournaleditors /at/ gmail.com) 
<mailto:(floweditors /at/ gmail.com)>by Monday, August 26th, 2019. The Special 
Issue will be published at flowjournal.org 
<http://www.flowjournal.org/>on Monday, September 16th, 2019.

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