New Books in Critical Theory

Hajar Yazdiha, an expert in post-civil rights era activism, discusses the transformation of the memory of the Civil Rights Movement. She explores the distortion of history by right-wing social movements who claim the collective memory of civil rights as the newly oppressed minorities. The podcast delves into the contested legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., the branches of his memory, and the consequences of distorting his message on multicultural democracy.

Reinaldo Arenas, a Cuban writer known for his resistance to normative ideologies, is discussed in this podcast. The speakers explore the relevance of Arenas's work in the contemporary curriculum, his connections with other queer exiled individuals, his rewriting of Cuban history, and the cohesive pedagogy found in his writing. They also reflect on their experience of co-authoring during the pandemic and discuss their ongoing projects.

Psychologist Melanie Joy reveals the common denominator driving all forms of injustice. She discusses the psychology of violence and nonviolence, the concept of 'carnism', and the importance of healthy and functional relationships. The podcast also explores the significance of relational communication, understanding injustice, and addressing infighting within social justice movements.

Discover how the mainstream media abandoned the American working class and the consequences of this neglect. Explore the shift in focus from labor reporting to consumer interests and the rise of conservative media. Learn about the impact of right-to-work laws, taxation on public workers, and the need for rethinking journalism. Uncover the importance of equality in journalism and the role of journalists in serving all citizens.

Leigh Claire La Berge, author of Marx for Cats: A Radical Bestiary, discusses how cats have been central to Marxist economic critique throughout history, exploring their symbolism, presence in cultural productions, and role in inspiring a new political imagination.

Scholars Ajantha Subramanian and Lori Allen discuss Indian and Israeli ethnonationalism, exploring commonalities in the slippery slope towards multiculturalism of caste and territorial maximalism of Zionism. They examine the role of overseas communities, roots of ethnonationalism in 1920s fascism, and the shared playbook of far-right ideologies. The conversation reflects on the suitability of the term fascism and concludes with a discussion on the book 'Mody's India' and appreciation for listener participation.

Abdullahi Ahmed An-Naim challenges historical interpretations of Islamic Sharia and neo-colonial understanding of human rights through internal discourse within Islamic and African societies. He explores the relationship between democracy and human rights, interprets the controversy surrounding the hijab and burqa in France, and questions the notion that human rights are Western. The discussion also addresses the distinction between civil rights and human rights, emphasizing the need for a people-centric approach and global promotion of human rights.

Robert R. Janes, author of 'Museums and Societal Collapse: The Museum as Lifeboat', discusses the role of museums in addressing societal collapse and the need for urgent action. They explore reevaluating the purpose of museums, challenging traditional assumptions, and advocating for community connection. The podcast also delves into the positive impact museums can have on communities and the moral dimension of museums in activism.

Patrick Ffrench, author of Roland Barthes and Film: Myth, Eroticism and Poetics, discusses Barthes' ambivalence towards cinema and his engagement with films and directors like Fellini, Antonioni, Eisenstein, and Hitchcock. Focusing on Barthes' essays and book Camera Lucida, Ffrench examines Barthes' exploration of space, material aesthetics, and the pull of narrative in film. The podcast also explores Barthes' concepts of myth, eroticism, and the poetics of cinema, as well as his association of cinema with ideology and the importance of detachment and immersion.

Many major political questions today revolve around questions of human nature; what sort of people we are and what sort of people we're capable of being constitute both the goals and limits of the sort of society we can and ought to try and create. Jason Read's The Politics of Transindividuality (Haymarket Books, 2017) looks at a number of figures who've used trandindividuality to explore the ways in which our social context generates various forms of subjectivity, and how those forms of subjectivity can in turn generate the society they occupy. The book covers a variety of figures in topics, going as far back as Spinoza, Hegel and Marx before turning to contemporary thinkers such as Balibar, Simondon, Virno and Lazzarrato, and interrogates the sort of people we are being made into.Jason Read is a professor of philosophy at the University of Southern Maine. In addition toThe Politics of Transindividuality, he is also the author of The Micro-Politics of Capital: Marx on the Prehistory of the Present (SUNY, 2003). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/critical-theory