Why Do We Have a "Viral Underclass"? (w/ Steven Thrasher)
Jul 9, 2024
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Professor Steven Thrasher discusses the concept of the 'viral underclass,' highlighting how inequality and disease intersect. He explores the idea of solidarity movements, amplification of societal values during crises, and the impact of policies on marginalized groups. The conversation delves into structural inequities affecting Black Americans, critiquing the response to the COVID-19 pandemic and emphasizing collective responsibility in addressing infectious diseases.
Solidarity in protests fosters diverse and inclusive communities for social change.
Marginalized populations face heightened virus impact due to societal inequalities.
Viruses challenge individualistic ideologies, emphasizing collective societal health outcomes.
Lessons from AIDS activists underscore the importance of community care in health crises.
Deep dives
The Power of Solidarity in Protests
Students at Columbia exemplified the power of solidarity in protests by creating a diverse and inclusive community during their Gaza Solidarity Camp. From diffusing tensions among opposing groups to engaging in respectful dialogues, the students demonstrated a commitment to social change and mutual support. Through activities like teach-ins and sharing personal experiences, they aimed to challenge societal norms and promote critical thinking in creating a mini society.
The Impact of Structural Inequalities on Health
Dr. Steven Thresher's book, 'The Viral Underclass,' explores the intertwining impacts of inequality and disease, revealing how crises magnify societal values and structural inequalities. By dissecting the concept of a 'viral underclass,' the book sheds light on how marginalized populations are disproportionately affected by viruses due to pre-existing social determinants of health, emphasizing the need for systemic change in public health policies.
Challenges to Prevailing Ideologies
Viruses serve as profound teachers that challenge prevailing ideologies like individualism and meritocracy, highlighting the interconnectedness of societal health outcomes. Dr. Thresher's analysis reveals how public health policies, often disguised as neutral choices, can perpetuate social inequalities and impact marginalized communities disproportionately. Understanding the collective impact of viruses on communities can disrupt traditional narratives and unveil systemic disparities.
Lessons from Collective Responses to Diseases
Lessons from LGBTQ activists during the AIDS epidemic exemplify the importance of interconnectedness and community care in response to diseases. The collective efforts to prevent HIV transmission showcase a model of interdependence and communal responsibility, emphasizing the shared fate of individuals within a community. These lessons extend to broader societal responses to health crises, urging a shift towards collective care and solidarity in promoting public health.
Forced Amnesia and Societal Responses to Crises
The discussion delves into the dangerous trend of forced amnesia surrounding public health crises like COVID-19, driven by a desire to return to pre-pandemic norms and consumerism. The failure to acknowledge past injustices and structural inequalities perpetuates harmful policies and erases the sacrifices made by marginalized communities. By maintaining collective memory and learning from past crises, society can address systemic disparities and prioritize communal well-being in future responses.
Dr. Thresher's Continued Efforts in Examining Systemic Injustices
Dr. Steven Thrasher's critical examination of systemic injustices extends to his upcoming book, 'The Overseer Class,' which explores power dynamics and marginalization. Through his work, Dr. Thrasher navigates the complexities of societal power structures and challenges oppressive systems to advocate for social change and equity. His continued efforts aim to shed light on entrenched inequalities and inspire critical reflection on prevailing structures.
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Steven Thrasher is a professor of journalism at Northwestern University and the author of The Viral Underclass: The Human Toll When Inequality and Disease Collide. He has also recently been present at the Columbia protests over Gaza. He joins today to discuss what he saw at the protests, before moving on to discuss his concept of the "viral underclass," tracing how inequality and disease interact, from the AIDS crisis to COVID-19. An excerpt from this interview was played in our recent audio documentary on the Gaza protests. Prof. Thrasher's LitHub essay on the protests is here.
“Viruses challenge the concept that any one of us “has” one body. As they move freely between the lungs, bloodstream, and genitals of one of us to another, they show how we is a more relevant concept than you or me...The most fundamental, largely unexamined premise we have in the United States is the belief that I am me and you are you and that each of us is the master of our own hero’s journey. What if viruses teach us that there is no “me” and no “you” at all and that we all share one collective body? And that such individualistic thinking creates not only an underclass, but alienation across lines of class?” - Steven Thrasher, The Viral Underclass
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