S2E6: If we are not careful, memories die...or are stolen

Decolonization in Action Podcast

In this episode, edna bonhomme and Skye Tinevimbo Chirape discuss Decolonising Forensic Psychology, migration, and decolonial research practices especially as it relates to the United Kingdom, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. Zimbabwean born, Skye is a Forensic Psychology scholar, visual activist, and doctorate candidate at the University of Cape Town (UCT), South Africa. Her research, provisionally titled, ‘The Hare and the Baboon: Human (In)Security, migration and victimisation of African LGBT asylum seekers in the context of the UK asylum interview process investigates broader issues around structural violence and the ongoing conversation on the politics of migration and borders of gender and sexuality. It specifically centres African LGBT persons seeking asylum in the UK. Skye is also a part time lecturer (teaching post-graduate Political Psychology) and a member of, the hub for decolonial feminist Psychologies in Africa at UCT. Skye’s visual activism has continued to centre migration, gender & sexuality, trauma, structural violence, gendered violence and decolonial feminist psychology. In the recent years Skye’s academic and community work has focused on the conversation of trauma, decolonising work on trauma, healing / healing justice, collective healing and holding space within black LGBTIQ+ communities and movements. Skye's MSc in Forensic research; “He was treated like a criminal”. Evaluating the impact of detention related trauma on LGBTI refugees, has been presented at universities in London, New York, Amsterdam and Berlin and, was published in 2018. Often in collaborating with other artists and organisations, she has used visual art/ activism to examine geopolitical issues, drawing from personal/ lived experiences. Skye has curated exhibitions in London, taken part in the 10th Berlin Biennale performance, and participated in an exchange with the British artist Emma McGarry, at the Tate Modern gallery. In 2018 Skye appeared on the cover of Diva Magazine; in 2014 on the cover of Complexd woman magazine and was nominated for a BEFFTA award in 2010. In 2014 Skye was identified as one of 15 British based womxn campaigners making changes in the world and was published in the book, Here We Stand: Women changing the world. You can visit her work at: www.skyetshookii.com Podcast Image Credit: Left side: featuring Skye sitting down, a collaboration between Cloudy Moroni & Skye Skyetshookii, 2014. Right side: a person lowering their knickers is from an exhibition that Skye co-curated with Priscillar Gurupira and the image belongs to a Zimbabwean artist, Nancy Mteki. Bibliography • Chirape, S. R. T. (2018). He was treated like a criminal”: Evaluating the impact of detention related trauma on LGBTI refugees In The Colour of Madness. Stirling Publishing edited by Linton, S. and Walcott, R. Skiddaw publishers. • Chirape, S. R. T. (2015). Trauma: Not just for the victims, a review. Convenor: Lorraine Perry. Published in The Forensic Update No 119, 2015. • Skyetshookii[1], S. (2017). Hidden in the open: An honorarium essay to South African photographer, Zanele Muholi’s body of photographic work, Somnyama Ngonyama, Hail the Dark Lioness, catalogue edited by Renee Mussai. Autograph ABP, London. • Chirape, S. R.T. (2014). The freedom of others, In Here we stand: Women changing the world. Edited by Helena Earnshaw and Angharad Penrhyn Jones. Honno, UK. • Chirape, S. R.T. (2014). The ritual communication of (black queer) bodies in The Ladybeard magazine. The Sex issue. UK. • Skyetshookii, S. (2014). Transgender day of Remembrance: An artist view. Published on the Commonwealth writers’ website.