New Books in Critical Theory

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.

Oren Kroll-Zeldin, author and scholar, delves into the experiences of young Jewish Americans involved in the Palestine solidarity movement. He discusses how these activists challenge mainstream pro-Israel attitudes by framing their views as rooted in Jewish values. Key topics include the strategies of targeting Jewish institutions, co-resistance efforts in Palestine, and the significance of the BDS movement. The conversation highlights a transformative shift in Jewish identity and activism, suggesting a hopeful direction for future discourse on justice and equality.

David H. Price, a Professor of Anthropology, delves into the intricate relationship between the American surveillance state and dissent. He uncovers how the FBI has historically targeted activists while aligning with capitalist interests. The conversation highlights the chilling effects of the post-9/11 era, where surveillance has become normalized under the guise of safety. Price critiques the disproportionate monitoring of leftist movements compared to right-wing groups, urging a reevaluation of civil liberties and the need for activism against this pervasive intrusion.

David Lay Williams is a political theorist focused on economic inequality and its historical significance in political thought. In this engaging discussion, he explores how thinkers from Plato to Marx addressed the dangers of wealth concentration and its impact on social stability. Williams emphasizes the moral implications of economic disparities, connecting philosophical insights to contemporary issues. He also reinterprets Adam Smith's views on meritocracy and reveals the evolving understanding of wealth's societal effects, making a strong case for addressing inequality today.

Dr. Dionne Powell, a contributor to the documentary 'Black Psychoanalysts Speak' and an expert in race and psychoanalysis, joins the conversation. She discusses how psychoanalytic defense mechanisms contribute to racism in America, emphasizing the importance of vulnerability in therapeutic settings. The conversation also explores the historical traumas faced by the black community and advocates for open dialogue to address uncomfortable truths. Dr. Powell challenges listeners to confront denial and engage in discussions about race to foster understanding and healing.

In this discussion, guest Andy Clarno, an author focused on racialized poverty and policing in urban environments, sheds light on his book about policing in Chicago. He explores how weaponized data harms marginalized communities, particularly Black, Latinx, and Muslim populations. Clarno critiques the perception of objectivity in law enforcement and discusses the necessity of abolitionist responses to oppressive practices. The conversation highlights community-driven research efforts aimed at dismantling the racialized policing apparatus and advocates for compassionate resistance to systemic injustices.

Karyne E. Messina, a psychoanalyst and author, discusses her impactful new book, which serves as a guide to enhancing public understanding of democracy. She highlights a 45-day action plan designed to empower individuals against autocracy. The conversation delves into the psychological dynamics of political engagement, emphasizing the significance of grassroots movements and civic participation. Messina examines the dual role of community in resisting autocratic influence, while offering practical strategies for fostering democratic values and collective action.

Susan Greenhalgh, an expert in corporate science and public health, delves into the soda industry's intricate strategies to combat the obesity crisis. She reveals how Coca-Cola financed research to redirect the conversation from dietary restraint to exercise, molding public perception. Greenhalgh critiques the International Life Sciences Institute's global influence on health narratives, particularly in countries like China. The podcast also draws alarming parallels between ultra-processed foods and the opioid epidemic, urging vigilance against corporate manipulation of public health.

Angel, a Black tenth-grader at a New York City public school, self-identifies as a nerd and likes to learn. But she’s troubled that her history classes leave out events like the genocide and dispossession of Indigenous people in the Americas, presenting a sugar-coated image of the United States that is at odds with her everyday experience. “The history I learned in school is simpler,” she says. “The world I live in is a lot more complex.” Angel, like every student interviewed in Discipline Problems: How Students of Color Trouble Whiteness in Schools (U Pennsylvania Press, 2024), has been identified by teachers as a “troublemaker,” a student whose behavior disrupts classroom norms and interferes with instruction. But her critiques of the curriculum she’s taught speak to her curiosity and insight, crucial foundations for understanding history. Like many students who have been marginalized by systemic racism in American schools, she exposes the shortcomings of her classrooms’ academic environments by challenging both the content and the methods of her education. All too often, these challenges are framed as “troublemaking,” and the students are disciplined for “acting out” instead of being rewarded for their intellectual engagement. Tadashi Dozono, a professor of education and former high school social studies teacher, takes seriously the often-overlooked critiques that students of color who get labeled as troublemakers direct toward their high school history curriculum. He reinterprets “troublemaking,” usually cast as a behavioral deficit, as an intellectual asset and form of reasoning that challenges the “disciplining reason” of classrooms where whiteness is valued over the histories and knowledge of people of color. Dozono shows how what are traditionally framed as discipline problems can be seen through a different lens as responses to educational practices that marginalize non-white students. Discipline Problems reveals how students of color seek out alternate avenues for understanding their world and imagines a pedagogy that champions the curiosity, intellect, and knowledge of marginalized learners. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/critical-theory

What is reading? In What Readers Do: Aesthetic and Moral Practices of a Post-Digital Age (Bloomsbury, 2024) Beth Driscoll, an Associate Professor in Publishing, Communications and Arts Management at the University of Melbourne, explores this question by situating reading in a variety of contemporary social contexts. The book’s analysis engages with a range of academic fields to understand the study of reading, and offers a unique theoretical framework to understand the practices and meanings associated with reading in a variety of settings. The book also draws on a range of online and physical world case studies, from the aesthetics of ‘bookstagram’ through to behaviours and networks at book groups and literary festivals. The book is an essential read for a huge range of academics from the social sciences and humanities, as well as for anyone interested in reading! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/critical-theory