Italian rapper Amir Issaa will discuss how music can address anti-immigration laws and the marginalization of Black and other non-white people. Also known as Meticcio because he is both Egyptian and Italian, Issaa will speak about the racism he experienced while growing up and how he uses hip hop to lyrically frame issues with a beat to effect social change. Written in the wake of George Floyd’s murder in May 2020, Issaa’s most recent single “Non Respiro”, with Davide Shorty and David Blank , addresses police brutality from a transnational frame. Issaa will also discuss the Black Lives Matter movement in Italy, hold a mini “song writing workshop” with participants and perform his most popular numbers.