From Olympics to Elections: How Power and Racism Shape Our World

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08/12/24 • 54 min

Messy Liberation: Feminist Conversations about Politics and Pop Culture

From Olympics to Elections: How Power and Racism Shape Our World

In this episode of Messy Liberation, co-hosts Becky Mollenkamp and Taina Brown dive into the controversies surrounding the 2024 Olympics, including the Imane Khelif controversy and the drama between Mykayla Skinner and Simone Biles. The discussion explores the intersections of race, gender, and media framing, highlighting how power dynamics and systemic biases continue to play out in sports and beyond. The conversation then shifts to politics, touching on the recent U.S. election developments and the troubling influence of AIPAC on progressive candidates like Cori Bush. The episode ends on a lighter note with a discussion on reclaiming personal joy through fiction reading.

Key Takeaways:

Imane Khelif Controversy: The Algerian boxer was falsely accused of being trans by high-profile figures, leading to a dangerous smear campaign. The hosts discuss the lack of accountability for those who spread harmful misinformation, especially when it puts lives at risk.
Mykayla Skinner vs. Simone Biles: Skinner’s comments about the U.S. women’s gymnastics team being “lazy” sparked backlash, particularly given the team’s diversity. The hosts dissect the racial undertones and media framing that turned Skinner into a “victim” while expecting Biles to be the “better person.”
Media’s Role in Perpetuating Bias: The discussion highlights how media outlets often frame stories in ways that reinforce systemic racism and sexism, particularly in how they cover controversies involving women of color.
2024 U.S. Election and AIPAC: Becky shares her frustration over the influence of AIPAC in ousting progressive candidates like Cori Bush. The conversation touches on the broader implications of foreign influence in U.S. elections and the ongoing challenges of maintaining truly representative democracy.
Reclaiming Joy Through Fiction: Both hosts share their recent journey back into fiction reading as a way to reclaim personal joy amidst the heavy work of activism and social justice.

This episode is a deep dive into the messy realities of liberation, from sports and politics to the importance of self-care in the face of systemic oppression.

Resources mentioned:

LEARN MORE:

Taina Brown WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | THREADS
Becky Mollenkamp WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | THREADS | FEMINIST FOUNDERS

From Olympics to Elections: How Power and Racism Shape Our World

Key Takeaways:

Imane Khelif Controversy: The Algerian boxer was falsely accused of being trans by high-profile figures, leading to a dangerous smear campaign. The hosts discuss the lack of accountability for those who spread harmful misinformation, especially when it puts lives at risk.
Mykayla Skinner vs. Simone Biles: Skinner’s comments about the U.S. women’s gymnastics team being “lazy” sparked backlash, particularly given the team’s diversity. The hosts dissect the racial undertones and media framing that turned Skinner into a “victim” while expecting Biles to be the “better person.”
Media’s Role in Perpetuating Bias: The discussion highlights how media outlets often frame stories in ways that reinforce systemic racism and sexism, particularly in how they cover controversies involving women of color.
2024 U.S. Election and AIPAC: Becky shares her frustration over the influence of AIPAC in ousting progressive candidates like Cori Bush. The conversation touches on the broader implications of foreign influence in U.S. elections and the ongoing challenges of maintaining truly representative democracy.
Reclaiming Joy Through Fiction: Both hosts share their recent journey back into fiction reading as a way to reclaim personal joy amidst the heavy work of activism and social justice.

This episode is a deep dive into the messy realities of liberation, from sports and politics to the importance of self-care in the face of systemic oppression.

Resources mentioned:

LEARN MORE:

Taina Brown WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | THREADS
Becky Mollenkamp WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | THREADS | FEMINIST FOUNDERS

Previous Episode

Guilty Pleasures and Gender Roles: The Hidden Depths of Trash TV

Summary: In this episode of Messy Liberation, co-hosts Becky Mollenkamp and Taina Brown dive deep into the world of reality TV and its societal implications. From the allure of guilty pleasures to the entrenched gender roles and societal expectations, Becky and Taina unpack the complexities behind what many dismiss as "trash TV." They discuss how these shows reflect and challenge social conditioning, the double standards in entertainment consumption between men and women, and how indulging in reality TV can serve as both an escape and a mirror to our own lives. They also explore the underlying misogyny in labeling women's interests as frivolous and highlight the importance of acknowledging and challenging these biases.

Key Takeaways:

Reality TV as Escapism: Reality TV serves as a much-needed escape from the stresses of daily life and the overwhelming news cycle, allowing viewers to disconnect and indulge in mindless entertainment.
Judgment and Moral Superiority: Engaging in reality TV often involves a sense of moral superiority, as viewers judge the behaviors and lifestyles of the participants, providing a temporary boost to their own self-esteem.
Gendered Double Standards: There is a significant gender bias in how entertainment is perceived and valued, with women's interests often dismissed as frivolous or "trashy" while men's interests, like sports, are celebrated.
The Impact of Social Conditioning: The societal conditioning that devalues women's interests and activities is deeply rooted in misogyny and impacts how both men and women perceive and engage with various forms of entertainment.
Perfectionism and White Supremacy: The hosts connect perfectionism to white supremacy culture, discussing how the pursuit of perfection inhibits action and perpetuates existing power structures by discouraging those with marginalized identities from participating and making changes.
Toxic Individualism: Perfectionism also centers the individual, which aligns with the harmful societal trend of toxic individualism. Letting go of perfectionism is essential for focusing on collective well-being and progress.

Resources mentioned:

LEARN MORE:

Taina Brown WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | THREADS
Becky Mollenkamp WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | THREADS | FEMINIST FOUNDERS

Next Episode

Community, Catastrophe, and Coping: An Unfiltered Talk/Therapy Session 🤣

In this raw and honest episode of Messy Liberation, Becky and Taina dive deep into the emotional rollercoaster that can be triggered by a simple email. Becky opens up about how one small rejection can lead to a spiral of catastrophic thinking, touching on themes of abandonment, core wounds, and the difficulty of separating personal feelings from business realities.

Together, they explore how these deep-seated emotions impact their approach to business, relationships, and self-care. Taina shares her own struggles with similar issues, providing a supportive space for reflection and discussion. The conversation also delves into the importance of community, feeling your feelings, and how to manage and tend to your emotional wounds.

But it’s not all heavy. The episode takes a lighter turn as Taina shares a story about her problematic neighbor and the challenges of navigating relationships in a new home. Becky offers some no-nonsense advice on how to handle these tricky situations, all while staying true to yourself.

What we discussed:

The impact of seemingly small triggers on mental health and well-being.
The concept of catastrophic thinking and how it can derail your day.
Exploring core wounds, especially related to abandonment, and their influence on business and personal life.
The importance of feeling your feelings and treating emotions as valuable data points.
The role of community in processing and navigating emotional challenges.
The complexity of homeownership, including navigating relationships with neighbors.

We want to hear from you! How do you navigate relationships with your neighbors? Do you have any weird or funny neighbor stories to share? Send us your stories and questions at [email protected] or tag us on social media. We’d also love to know how you manage triggers and emotional spirals in your own life or business. Let’s keep the conversation going!

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Remember, it’s okay to not be okay, and sometimes the messiest conversations are the most liberating. Until next time, stay messy!

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