Tara Brabazon podcast Sara Ahmed Reading Seminar Three - The politics of emotion
Feb 4, 2021
Participants Ali, who discusses fear and heteronormativity, and Lizzie, who dives into social media's impact on disgust and leadership, explore the intricate politics of emotion. They unpack how emotions like rage and discomfort relate to identity politics and neoliberal policies. Ali links fear to media consumption, while Lizzie illustrates how leaders like AOC curate emotions online. The conversation highlights the importance of emotional literacy in addressing societal challenges and the nuanced roles of emotions in both personal and political spheres.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Working-Class Rage Became Political Identity
- Rage among white working-class groups often functions as an identity politics that mainstream left politics failed to address.
- Tara argues this neglect helped fuel nationalist movements like the National Front, EDL and Proud Boys.
Grief Feeds Political Rage
- Leanne links contemporary rage to mourning and loss of control after economic change and political betrayal.
- She argues grief can manifest as ugly, collective rage when structural dispossession lacks a political outlet.
Media Language Shaped Class Resentment
- Media-fed racialized narratives shaped working-class resentment and the left failed to connect with those voters.
- Gail says conservative tabloids provided the language that nourished nationalist anger where left discourse did not reach.
