ACFM ACFM Trip 52: Cleaning
Jun 29, 2025
What does cleanliness really signify in a socialist utopia? The hosts dive into how societal perceptions of cleaning intersect with class and gender roles. They tackle the messy truth about domestic labor, exploring the stigma of 'unclean' groups and the complexities of gender expectations. Music interludes from X-Ray Spex and The B-52s provide a fun backdrop, while discussions on historical views of cleanliness and the evolution of domestic duties spark critical thought. It's a fresh look at the ideology behind our daily rituals!
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Disgust’s Biological Roots Become Political
- Disgust has evolutionary roots but becomes a political tool to stigmatize groups.
- Emotional disgust is exploited to deepen class and racial exclusion.
Dirt As Social Classification
- Mary Douglas: "dirt is matter out of place" reframes dirt as social order, not intrinsic filth.
- This links cleanliness to classification systems that enforce social boundaries and shame.
Cleanliness As Respectability
- Cleanliness became a marker of respectability and social inclusion in urban contexts.
- Being labelled "dirty" justified exclusion and reinforced class hierarchies.
