This Is Hell!

The New Racial Regime / Alana Lentin

Aug 21, 2025
Alana Lentin, a Professor of Cultural and Social Analysis at Western Sydney University and author of 'The New Racial Regime', dives into the complex dynamics of systemic racism. She explores the evolution of racism and its persistence within modern capitalism, likening it to a virus that adapts to challenges. Lentin critiques superficial political responses to racial injustices and discusses the intersections of race, class, and radical thought. With humor, she reflects on societal perceptions of whiteness and the importance of genuine change in addressing systemic inequalities.
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INSIGHT

Racial Reckoning Was Rapidly Domesticated

  • The 2020 racial reckoning was quickly domesticated by liberal institutions using symbolic gestures and trainings.
  • Alana Lentin argues this tamed Black rage and prevented structural change.
ANECDOTE

Interview Began On A Rainy Morning

  • Alana begins the interview from a rainy morning in Australia, grounding the conversation in real time.
  • She mentions hoping the future will be sunnier after persistent rain.
ADVICE

Prepare For State Repression

  • Expect states to use force and spectacle to suppress movements rather than engage with demands.
  • Prepare for repression and prioritize building resilient, diverse strategies beyond symbolic concessions.
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