The Eastern American Studies Association and the Society of Americanists invite proposals for presentations, panels, films, diamond presentations, and forums on “Shall Not be Denied: Rights in American Discourse and Culture” for their joint international meeting on March 27-28, 2020 at Ramapo College, located in Mahwah, New Jersey. Our conference theme references the one hundredth anniversary of the passage of the 19^th Amendment in 1920. While we are reminded this centennial year of the fight for women’s suffrage and other social movements using the concept of “rights,” we further observe that the rhetoric of rights has entered popular parlance and has been variously used through the American experience. These have included struggles over citizenship, equality, political participation, expression, cultural inclusion, and many others. The conference location calls us to reflect on the experiences of the Ramapough Lunaape who continue to demand full civil rights, recognition, and sovereignty.

While the conference theme is central to discussion at the meeting, organizers welcome panels on topics of significance that might fall outside the call.

Submissions from undergraduate and graduate students, academics, and independent scholars from all disciplines are welcomed. In keeping with our tradition of supporting undergraduate research and scholarship, we especially invite undergraduate students to submit proposals for our Undergraduate Roundtables.

The keynote speaker will be Chief Vincent Mann, Turtle Clan Chief of the Ramapough Lunaape Nation.