New Books in Critical Theory

Marshall Poe
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Dec 3, 2024 • 40min

Laura C. Chávez-Moreno, "How Schools Make Race: Teaching Latinx Racialization in America" (Harvard Education Press, 2024)

Dr. Laura C. Chávez-Moreno, author and education researcher, discusses her groundbreaking work on how schools shape students' understanding of race, focusing on Latinx identities. She explores her journey from teacher to researcher and the vital role of bilingual education in nurturing cultural awareness. The conversation delves into the contradictions in teaching race, the racialization of Latinx students, and advocates for integrating bilingual education with ethnic studies to combat systemic biases and promote racial equity.
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Dec 1, 2024 • 1h 26min

Sidney A. Shapiro and Joseph P. Tomain, "How Government Built America" (Cambridge UP, 2024)

The podcast delves into how government has shaped America, challenging anti-government rhetoric. It explores the symbiotic relationship between government and markets, emphasizing the need for balance. Historical figures like Lincoln and FDR illustrate evolving government roles in societal welfare. The discussion includes the Manhattan Project's impact on socio-economic progress and critiques neoliberalism. Moreover, it touches on the political dynamics of globalization and recent administrations' economic policies, highlighting the crucial role of government in fostering community and addressing inequalities.
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5 snips
Dec 1, 2024 • 37min

How Psychoanalytic Mechanisms of Defense Affected the 2024 Presidential Campaign and Election

Explore how psychological defense mechanisms influenced the 2024 presidential campaign and election. Delve into the dynamics of rationalization, denial, and displacement in shaping voter perceptions. Learn about collective repression and its impact on beliefs, especially regarding the 2020 election. Witness the contradictions in candidate positions, highlighting cognitive dissonance among supporters. Finally, discover strategies for navigating political conversations during family gatherings to maintain harmony.
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Nov 29, 2024 • 1h 44min

Too Black and Rasul A. Mowatt, "Laundering Black Rage: The Washing of Black Death, People, Property, and Profits" (Routledge, 2024)

Too Black, a low-wage worker, poet, and filmmaker, joins geographer Rasul A. Mowatt to dive deep into the concept of 'laundering' Black rage in their new book. They dissect how systemic oppression obscures the emotional toll on Black communities while critiquing capitalism's role in commodifying Black struggle. The discussion traverses historical injustices, the erasure of Black pain, and the connection between grassroots movements and corporate America. Together, they spotlight the ongoing fight for true representation and the implications of recent events on Black identity.
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Nov 27, 2024 • 35min

Sabrina Strings, "The End of Love: Racism, Sexism, and the Death of Romance" (Beacon Press, 2024)

Sabrina Strings, a sociologist and author of "The End of Love: Racism, Sexism, and the Death of Romance," discusses how societal forces shape modern relationships. She delves into the rise of 'situationships' among men and how race and gender biases influence ideas of love and commitment. Strings critiques the portrayal of women in media, tracing the impacts of historical movements on contemporary romantic interactions. She also examines the evolution of toxic masculinity and its links to racial and economic dynamics.
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8 snips
Nov 27, 2024 • 32min

In Conversation: Islamophobia, Race and Global Politics

In this conversation, Professor Nazia Kazi, an expert in economics and anthropology, dives into her book, discussing the intricate links between Islamophobia, race, and global politics. She explores the rise of Islamophobia post-9/11 and its societal ramifications. Kazi critiques master narratives that shape perceptions of American identity and highlights the interplay of race with imperialism. Additionally, she challenges simplistic responses to Islamophobia and calls for a deeper political consciousness within the Muslim community.
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Nov 26, 2024 • 1h 36min

Sandipto Dasgupta, "Legalizing the Revolution: India and the Constitution of the Postcolony" (Cambridge UP, 2024)

Sandipto Dasgupta, an Assistant Professor of Politics at The New School for Social Research, dives into the rich tapestry of India's constitutional development in the wake of decolonization. He unpacks the complex interplay between anti-colonial ideals and institutional realities, revealing the challenges of embodying revolutionary ideas within a legal framework. The discussion also illuminates the evolving nature of democracy, property rights, and the tensions that shape India's political landscape today, connecting historical struggles to current crises.
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6 snips
Nov 25, 2024 • 46min

Steve J. Shone, "Dangerous Anarchist Strikers" (Brill, 2023)

In this thought-provoking discussion, Steve J. Shone, a Political Science lecturer at Texas A&M University-Kingsville and author of "Dangerous Anarchist Strikers," dives into the impactful stories of radical women in labor history. He sheds light on figures like Virginia Bolten, Helen Armstrong, and Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, emphasizing their often-overlooked contributions to labor strikes across the Americas. Shone also explores the intersection of anarchism, feminism, and democracy, challenging conventional narratives and advocating for a re-examination of historical activism.
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Nov 25, 2024 • 40min

Megan Rae Blakely, "Technology, Intellectual Property Law, and Culture: The Tangification of Cultural Heritage" (Routledge, 2024)

Megan Rae Blakely, a law lecturer at Lancaster University and author of a book on cultural heritage, dives into the impact of technology on preserving cultural expressions. She discusses the significance of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) and highlights challenges artists face with digital rights. Case studies from Scotland and Ireland reveal the complexities of cultural tourism and legal frameworks. Blakely emphasizes the need for balancing commercialization with safeguarding identity, especially in the digital realm and online gaming communities.
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5 snips
Nov 24, 2024 • 50min

Kevin B. Smith, "The Jailer's Reckoning: How Mass Incarceration Is Damaging America" (Rowman & Littlefield, 2024)

Kevin B. Smith, Leyland and Dorothy H. Olson Chair of Political Science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, dives deep into the harsh realities of mass incarceration. He explores how societal decisions have made the U.S. the world’s leading jailer, highlighting shocking disparities, such as a man facing 70 years for stealing a tuna sandwich. Smith discusses the socio-economic impacts, the historical shifts in criminal justice policy, and how examining global penal systems could inspire reform. He urges listeners to reconsider the costs and consequences of current practices.

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