Transmissions Ep. 8: No Home for You Here (w/ Adam Theron-Lee Rensch)
Aug 23, 2023
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Adam Theron-Lee Rensch, writer of No Home For You Here: A Memoir on Class and Culture, discusses the struggles of the working class community in America. He challenges the liberal frameworks on class and politics, emphasizing the need for a politics that addresses the material conditions of the working class. Topics explored include writing the book during the pandemic, evolution of political consciousness, navigating privilege, deaths of despair, Christianity and the prosperity gospel, and the importance of inclusivity in personal politics.
The memoir challenges liberal frameworks in understanding the working class experience in America.
The book dispels the myth of a cultural divide within the working class.
The memoir suggests a politics that does not moralize working class struggles.
The interview discusses ways to unite the working class around shared interests.
Deep dives
Childhood aspirations and dating
In my childhood and early adulthood, I was often drawn to dating partners from more privileged backgrounds, seeing it as a way to be part of the cool crowd or gain entry into a different social sphere. It was an aspirational pursuit, hoping to impress them and be seen as cultured and intelligent. However, as I grew older and had more experiences, I realized that it was challenging to have a deep connection with someone who had not experienced poverty firsthand. Our worldviews and concerns were significantly different, including how we approached everyday problems and valued various aspects of life. I learned that there can be a disconnect when dating someone who has not experienced the struggles that come with poverty.
Shift in perspective
Over time, my perspective shifted, and I began to question the appeal of dating partners from privileged backgrounds. It became apparent to me that their worldview, shaped by a lack of struggle, often resulted in a different set of concerns and priorities. I found myself thinking that their perspectives were at times privileged or removed from the realities that working-class individuals face. It caused some frustration, as it felt that their concerns were not grounded in the day-to-day struggles I had experienced. I began to realize that finding a partner who had experienced poverty or had a similar background provided a deeper level of understanding and connection.
Challenges of relating to partners who haven't experienced poverty
Dating someone who hasn't experienced poverty can present challenges due to the differences in perspectives and values. It can affect various aspects of life, including how one approaches the service industry, day-to-day problems, or the importance of financial stability. Sometimes, it can be frustrating to witness privileged thinking or concerns that appear disconnected from the realities faced by working-class individuals. While this is not to say that experiencing poverty makes someone inherently better or more virtuous, it does highlight the difficulty in relating to people whose worldview has been shaped by different life experiences.
Value of shared experiences
Having shared experiences of poverty or a similar background can cultivate a deeper level of connection and understanding in a romantic relationship. These shared experiences shape one's worldview and provide a common foundation for empathy and support. The challenges faced and the resilience developed through poverty can create a unique bond between partners who have experienced similar struggles. This shared background often allows for a greater understanding of each other's concerns, values, and priorities, strengthening the relationship and fostering a deeper level of connection.
The Complexity of Class and Different Experiences
The speaker discusses the complex class dynamics in their relationship with their partner. While the speaker's parents raised them with anti-authoritarian beliefs, the partner's background in the military instilled a sense of following orders. There are frequent disagreements regarding work ethic and job satisfaction, highlighting the different values and perspectives shaped by their respective upbringings.
The Phenomenon of Deaths of Despair
The podcast delves into the concept of 'deaths of despair,' connecting it to the opioid crisis and material deprivation. The speaker reflects on the experiences of a close friend who battled addiction and eventually died from an overdose. They discuss the troubling tendency to categorize people as either victims or criminals, and how the narratives surrounding these deaths can be oversimplified and lacking nuance. The speaker also highlights the need for a more compassionate and universal approach to understanding and addressing the issues related to deaths of despair.
Navigating Christianity and Political Mobilization
The discussion touches on the impact of Christianity, particularly the prosperity gospel, on class consciousness and political mobilization. The speaker shares their mother's journey through born-again Christianity, initially aligning with conservative views but later embracing a more progressive and inclusive perspective. They emphasize the importance of extending grace and mercy to others, even when their beliefs may differ, and challenge the notion that suffering should solely determine one's worthiness of sympathy or support. The conversation ends with a mention of the speaker's ongoing projects, including essays on higher education and a novel based on their experience working at Lowe's.
This episode features an interview with the writer Adam Theron-Lee Rensch on his book No Home For You Here: A Memoir on Class and Culture. The memoir tells the story of Rensch’s life growing up in a working class family in rural Ohio. Rensch combines social and political commentary along with vivid depictions of the struggles that face […]
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