New Books in Critical Theory

Jonathan Tran discusses the intersection of race and capitalism in Asian American experiences, challenging traditional notions of racism and advocating for a shift towards addressing systemic inequalities. He explores the complexities of racial capitalism through case studies and debunks the model minority myth, urging listeners to engage with thought-provoking content.

Scholar and essayist Samira Mehta delves into the challenges faced by mixed-race individuals, exploring questions of authenticity, cultural inheritance, mentorship, and the racism experienced from loved ones. She reflects on her own experiences, highlighting the complexities of navigating racial identity and cultural expectations within mixed-race families.

Firuzeh Shokooh Valle, argues for the inclusion of women from the Global South in technology fields, critiquing the idealized entrepreneurial female figure. She examines how feminist activists resist depoliticizing scripts, emphasizing solidarity and pleasure in a new feminist technopolitics. The podcast explores feminist activism, technological portrayals of women, critiques of liberal feminism, cooperative structures, legal challenges, and the intersection of solidarity, pleasure, and activism.

Adaner Usmani, Assistant Professor, discusses the roots of racism and inequality in America, focusing on the legacy of the Southern plantation economy. He explores the economic origins of mass incarceration and the belated access to social mobility for African-Americans due to racist structures. The discussion emphasizes the intertwining of class imbalances, bigotry, and prejudice in perpetuating racial injustice.

Oneka LaBennett discusses the environmental impacts of resource extraction, intersecting race and gender formations in the Caribbean, and the hidden ways Caribbean women's lives are affected. She explores how oil extraction and sand export contribute to pillaging natural resources and disproportionately affect women and children. The podcast uncovers the symbiotic relationship between gendered labor, racial capitalism, and ecological erosion in the Caribbean region.

Balihar Sanghera and Elmira Satybaldieva discuss rentier capitalism and countermovements in Central Asia, highlighting grassroots activism against neoliberal commodification. The podcast explores rent extraction, moral justifications, and social struggles in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, shedding light on economic dynamics and societal resistance in the region.

Feng-Mei Heberer, Assistant Professor in the Department of Cinema, discusses her book 'Asians on Demand: Mediating Race in Video Art and Activism'. Topics include challenging stereotypes, visibility politics in film, video art and activism in different contexts, erasure of racial discourse in post-war Europe, disrupting identity expectations through art, stateless cinema, and sentimental activism in Taiwan.

Dr. Kehbuma Langmia challenges notions of race and white supremacy, highlighting the origins of civilization in Africa. He discusses the impact of colonial education, flaws in ideas of racial superiority, lack of African history representation in education, and the importance of incorporating Afrocentric theories in academic curricula.

Geographer William Conroy discusses the interconnected themes of race, gender, ecology, and capitalism, highlighting the complexities of studying these interactions. The debate on race and capitalism within the context of racial capitalism is explored, along with the interconnection of race, capitalism, and social reproduction. Debates on the Marxist concept of totality in political science and urban studies are also discussed, emphasizing the importance of anti-racism efforts and unique political responses.

Historian Michael Sonenscher discusses the historical origins of capitalism, exploring its connection to war finance and the division of labor. The conversation dives into Rousseau's separation of professions, Adam Smith's division of labor, Marx's views on communism, Hegel's concept of civil society, and critiques of the division of labor within capitalism.