College of Arts and Sciences

On this week’s episode of Segue, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s weekly radio program exploring the lives and work of the people on campus and beyond, College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Dean Kevin Leonard, PhD, interviews Masonya Bennett, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology.

This episode of Segue airs at 9 a.m. on Sunday, May 30. Listeners can tune into WSIE 88.7 FM The Sound or siue.edu/wsie.

Bennett is from Morven, N.C., a rural town about 50 miles southeast of Charlotte. She attended the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Charlotte, where she earned a bachelor’s in Africana and international studies in 2007, and a master’s in Latin American studies in 2010. She later earned a second master’s in African diaspora studies and a doctorate in global and sociocultural studies from Florida International University in 2019.

“How did you become interested in cultural anthropology, specifically Black and Latin American studies?” inquires Leonard.

“Growing up in the south with parents who both grew up during the height of the civil rights movement was a major influence,” explains Bennett. “I also took a Middle Eastern studies course and became interested in international studies, which later evolved into an interest in Latin American studies.”

While at UNC Charlotte, Bennett spent a semester in the Dominican Republic as part of the study abroad requirements for her major.

“I noticed many racial and ethnic issues between Haitians and Dominicans, and became interested in the processes of racialization on the island,” adds Bennett.

After teaching for a year in Honduras, she was inspired to return to UNC Charlotte to earn her master’s. During this time, she returned to the Dominican Republic to conduct research.

 “Were there important individuals who encouraged and supported you to pursue a career in cultural anthropology?” asks Leonard.

“At UNC Charlotte, I was grateful to have a strong support system during my undergrad and master’s programs,” answers Bennett. “It wasn’t until my PhD program that I realized anthropology was for me. I started focusing on sociology, but I realized that the methods of cultural anthropology were in line with what I wanted to do. My advisors and family were extremely supportive of me going into this field.”

“How have your personal experiences affected your career?” asks Leonard.

“Traveling as a Black woman and having a cultural historical background as a Black southerner has heavily influenced my career,” says Bennett. “I’ve been passionate about Black issues and history since I was a child. Educating other people on these experiences and cultures of African descendants is my passion in life.”

Prior to joining academia, Bennett worked with migrant populations in Charlotte, where she worked as an intern ESL program coordinator and instructor.

“There was a build up of my background as a Black woman from the South, my travels to the Caribbean, and what I’ve learned about race to come together to inform my dissertation, which focused on Black immigrant experiences in the South,” adds Bennett. “My work is a culmination of all my experiences.”

“What are the questions that have guided your research?” inquires Leonard.

“What is the significance of Blackness?” shares Bennett. “What does it mean to be Black and how does this shift depending upon your country and region? Where do Black people and African descendants find belonging? What do these spaces of belonging look like, how are they constructed, and how do they reflect their identity? Lastly, what are some of the ways we resist global white supremacy?”

“How do you go about answering these questions?” asks Leonard.

“I’m a fan of hanging out and immersing myself in these different cultures and places,” explains Bennett. “I enjoy having conversations with different folks and eating. Food is also a large part of my research. I find many tangible ways in which cultures are connected, even through the exchange of items, such as fashion and hair care.

“Immersion is extremely important in anthropology. Study abroad experiences completely changed my life and trajectory. Stepping out of your comfort zone by learning different cultures and languages while listening to others is key in this field.”

Tune in at 9 a.m. on Sunday, May 30, to WSIE 88.7 The Sound to hear the entire conversation.