Jess Whatcott

Jess Whatcott, an author exploring the ties between disability institutions and eugenics in the US, discusses a haunting history of carceral eugenics. They reveal how early 20th-century eugenic ideologies justified forced sterilizations and coercive treatments, still resonating in today’s incarceration practices. Whatcott emphasizes the genealogy of resistance from disabled communities and the need to challenge these oppressive systems. The podcast dives into the intersection of queerness and disability, analyzing how societal categorizations continue to stigmatize marginalized groups.

Jess Whatcott, an author examining disability, queer history, and eugenics, discusses the historical and contemporary implications of carceral eugenics. They explore California's chilling past of state-sponsored sterilization in women's prisons and offer insights into the 'defective class' and its societal impact. Whatcott reveals marginalized voices of resistance against institutional eugenics, critiques labor exploitation in these settings, and emphasizes the urgent need for reform in care systems. This conversation sheds light on the continuing relevance of these issues.

Jess Whatcott, an expert on disability and queer history, dives into the unsettling connections between US disability institutions and early 20th-century eugenics. They shed light on the forced sterilizations in California's prisons and how these practices echo in today's detention systems. Whatcott highlights a legacy of resistance among the disabled community, critiques the concept of a 'defective class,' and argues for modern abolitionist approaches to reproductive justice. This thought-provoking conversation uncovers the ongoing implications of past ideologies on current policies.