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Death Panel

"No Use to the State" w/ Micah Khater (Unlocked)

Jun 12, 2024
Micah Khater discusses the intersection of race, disability, and incarceration in early 20th century southern US, focusing on how Black women in Alabama prisons used letters for resistance. They explore bureaucratic narratives of disability, challenges of engaging with state archives, historical prison escapes, and the importance of listening to those impacted for positive change.
01:31:03

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Black women used strategic letters to challenge state views on disability in early 20th century Alabama prisons.
  • Medicalization of disability in carceral settings reinforced power dynamics and normalized violence through pathologizing resistance.

Deep dives

Black Women's Use of Letters as Resistance in Early 20th Century Alabama Prisons

Black women in early 20th century Alabama prisons used letters as a tool for resistance and negotiation with the state. Through these letters, they strategically positioned themselves as 'no use to the state' to challenge the state's understanding of disability and advocate for improved conditions or temporary release based on their disability status. The use of letters by incarcerated black women showcased their agency in navigating oppressive carceral regimes and asserting their demands for better treatment.

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