New Books in Critical Theory

Ryan Emanuel, an environmental scientist and member of the Lumbee tribe, discusses the fight for Indigenous environmental justice in Eastern North Carolina. He shares personal stories reflecting the Lumbee's connection to their ancestral land and the challenges posed by industrial agriculture and gas pipelines. Emanuel highlights the historical context of environmental injustice and the need for governmental accountability. He emphasizes empowering communities through education and engagement to protect sacred lands and promote cultural identity amidst ongoing environmental threats.

In this enlightening discussion, Chris Benner and Manuel Pastor, experts in economic justice and equity, tackle the urgent issues surrounding lithium extraction in California's Lithium Valley. They highlight the region's potential to impact global electric vehicle markets while emphasizing the environmental degradation and labor exploitation faced by marginalized communities. The duo connects local struggles to broader climate challenges, advocating for a clean energy transition that prioritizes social equity and sustainable practices. Their insights reveal why Lithium Valley's future is critical to the nation's ecological and economic landscape.

Frank Baumgartner, a political science professor at UNC Chapel Hill, discusses his groundbreaking research in 'Suspect Citizens,' which analyzes 20 million traffic stops to reveal unsettling racial disparities in policing. He sheds light on how the landmark case Terry v. Ohio has exacerbated these issues, especially for young men of color. Baumgartner emphasizes the role of political representation in mitigating bias and highlights successful reform efforts in Fayetteville, North Carolina, that foster community trust and equitable policing.

In this engaging discussion, Natalie Wall, a researcher at King’s College London, unpacks her work, "Black Expression and White Generosity," which explores the complex dynamics of race and generosity. She critiques the notion of white saviorism, sharing insights from her personal experiences as a Black woman. Wall emphasizes the importance of storytelling in confronting systemic inequalities and connects historical narratives to modern experiences. Through her narrative, she advocates for a new framework in antiracism that celebrates Black creativity and expression.

Paul Reitter, a professor at Ohio State University, and Paul North from Yale University dive deep into Marx's 'Capital.' They discuss the book's lasting influence and renewed relevance, especially post-2008 financial crisis. The duo emphasizes the challenges in translating Marx while exploring the duality of use value and exchange value. They also highlight Marx's empirical approach and the rich emotional context behind his critiques. The conversation delves into complexities like surplus value and commodity fetishism, revealing the nuances in interpreting Marx's ideas today.

In this engaging discussion, Alan F. Blackwell, a Professor of Interdisciplinary Design at Cambridge, highlights the urgent need for improved programming languages over AI dominance. He argues that the current AI landscape often overlooks ethical considerations, and proposes a framework for better software that aligns with human creativity and fairness. Blackwell critiques the constraints of modern technology on communication and creativity, emphasizing the importance of moral codes in tech design. Insights from science fiction and the ethics behind AI development add depth to this thought-provoking conversation.

Kristina Kolbe is an Assistant Professor of Sociology of Arts and Culture at Erasmus University Rotterdam, focusing on diversity in classical music. She discusses the pressing need for the classical music industry to address systemic barriers faced by diverse musicians. Kolbe critiques the limited effectiveness of current diversity initiatives and highlights the challenges brought by the pandemic, which disproportionately affected marginalized artists. The conversation also dives into the tension between traditional elitism and efforts for inclusivity within opera houses.

Michael J. Thompson, a political theory professor, discusses his book on dialectics in a nihilistic age. He argues that modern societies prioritize economic management over human values, eroding critical consciousness. Thompson critiques how societal structures undermine creativity and individuality, particularly regarding gender and race. He emphasizes the importance of dialectical thinking for self-awareness and transformative actions. The conversation also examines the challenges posed by total institutions and advocates returning to foundational ideas to navigate contemporary nihilism.

Law professors Jon Michaels and David Noll dive into the alarming rise of state-sponsored vigilantism in America. They discuss how MAGA Republicans and Christian nationalists are subverting democracy through tactics like book bans and anti-abortion bounties. The duo examines historical parallels, highlighting how these movements echo the past struggles of the abolitionist and Reconstruction eras. Ultimately, they propose a playbook for action, offering 19 model laws to combat these threats and defend civil rights.

Camille Owens, the author of "Like Children: Black Prodigy and the Measure of the Human in America," explores the complexities of childhood as a lens for understanding race and humanity. She highlights how childhood has been weaponized in white supremacy, particularly through the historical narratives surrounding Black children. Through stories of notable figures like poet Phillis Wheatley and pianist Blind Tom, Owens challenges societal perceptions of intelligence and identity, urging a reevaluation of the historical impact of race on childhood in America.