Planet: Critical cover image

Planet: Critical

Language and Violence | Sunil Amrith

Dec 12, 2024
Join Sunil Amrith, a Yale history professor and author of "The Burning Earth," as he reveals the deep ties between violence against both humans and nature. He discusses how language has been weaponized to obscure truths and perpetuate injustices. Explore the colonial suppression of indigenous languages and its impact on cultural identity and environmental movements. Amrith also connects historical violence, technology, and ecological crises, emphasizing the vital need for grassroots activism and justice in a rapidly changing world.
54:34

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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The historical interplay between violence against nature and violence against marginalized communities illustrates systemic injustices perpetuated by dominant ideologies.
  • Language is a vital tool for understanding and addressing these intertwined crises, enabling coalition-building and reclaiming narratives that resist exploitation.

Deep dives

Interconnection of Violence and the Planetary Crisis

The relationship between human violence and environmental degradation is explored, highlighting how historical and systemic violence has contributed to the current climate crisis. The discussion emphasizes that violence extends beyond physical harm, manifesting in economic systems that oppress marginalized communities. Historical events, such as the conquest of the Americas, illustrate how ideologies dehumanized indigenous populations while facilitating environmental destruction. Moreover, contemporary conflicts and militarism are shown to exacerbate both human suffering and ecological harm, with staggering military expenditures diverting funds from crucial climate initiatives.

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