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Transcript

On Racial Capitalism

In Conversation with Professor Lua Kamál Yuille

*Please note, I am no longer affiliated with Mitchell Hamline School of Law, though I continue to maintain control of the Center for the Study of Black Life and the Law*

Summary

This conversation features law professors Dr. T. Anansi Wilson (University of Kansas) and Lua Kamál Yuille (Northeastern University). It explores the concept of racial capitalism, its historical roots, and its implications for Black humanity and social justice. The speakers discuss how capitalism is inherently racialized, the impact of anti-Blackness on economic systems, and the intersections of law and race. They also examine the evolution of critical race theory and the importance of coalitions in social movements. This conversation delves into the complexities of oppression, specialization in social movements, and the importance of understanding the roots of racial capitalism. The speakers emphasize the need for a dialogic approach in law, the significance of agency in legal practice, and the necessity of recognizing the historical context of social movements. They also discuss the challenges of navigating power dynamics in academia and the implications of interest convergence for future strategies in social justice.

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Keywords

racial capitalism, anti-Blackness, critical race theory, economic systems, Black humanity, social justice, law and economics, historical context, social movements, intersectionality, oppression, racial capitalism, social movements, dialogic methodologies, agency, legal practice, academia, social justice, Black studies, intersectionality

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Racial Capitalism

05:06 Defining Racial Capitalism

08:34 Historical Roots of Racial Capitalism

11:54 The Impact of Anti-Blackness on Capitalism

15:38 The Intersection of Law and Racial Capitalism

19:22 Critical Race Theory and Racial Capitalism

25:01 Coalitions and Movements in Racial Capitalism

47:48 Understanding Diverse Responses to Oppression

51:20 The Role of Specialization in Social Movements

54:53 Dialogic Methodologies and Law

58:34 The Roots of Racial Capitalism

01:01:37 Agency and Responsibility in Legal Practice

01:06:12 Navigating Power Dynamics in Academia

01:10:06 The Intersection of Theory and Practice

01:16:03 Reflections on Social Movements and Legacy

01:19:13 Interest Convergence and Future Strategies

Takeaways

Racial capitalism is an extension of capitalism that is inherently racialized.

The historical context of racial capitalism is rooted in the exploitation of Black bodies.

Anti-Blackness is a fundamental aspect of capitalism and economic systems.

The marketplace has evolved but continues to exploit Black bodies.

Critical race theory emerged as a response to the exclusion of race in legal studies.

Coalitions in social movements are essential but often fragmented.

Black humanity is often devalued in legal and economic contexts.

The concept of excess in relation to Black bodies highlights systemic inequalities.

Racial capitalism operates within a framework of scarcity and hierarchy.

The intersection of law and racial capitalism reveals deep-seated injustices. Oppression affects individuals differently based on various factors.

Specialization in social movements can lead to effective advocacy.

Dialogic methodologies can help reshape legal frameworks.

Understanding the roots of racial capitalism is crucial for meaningful change.

Agency exists at all levels of the social hierarchy.

Navigating power dynamics in academia is essential for future lawyers.

The intersection of theory and practice is vital for social justice.

Social movements are built on the legacy of those who came before us.

Interest convergence can be a temporary strategy for social justice.

Recognizing the historical context of theories is essential for their application.

Titles

Navigating Oppression: Diverse Responses and Strategies

The Impact of Specialization on Social Movements

Dialogic Approaches in Law and Society

Racial Capitalism: Understanding Its Roots and Implications

Agency in Legal Practice: Responsibilities and Challenges

Power Dynamics in Academia: A Call for Reflection

Bridging Theory and Practice in Social Justice

Honoring the Legacy of Social Movements

Interest Convergence: A Double-Edged Sword for Justice

Sound Bites

"Racial capitalism is capitalism."

"All capitalism is racialized."

"Black bodies remain in relation to capital."

"Black bodies are being traded, used, consumed."

"The marketplace is a different place."

"Racial capitalism is an anti-Black social order."

"The Black body is compelled to act in a particular way."

"Racial capitalism allows us to stop doing that."

"We live in a cult of scarcity."

"Black bodies exist as a type of excess of debt."

"Capitalism has led to this idea of super specialization."

"We must be careful not to reify new oppression."

"Racial capitalism is divorced from its roots."

"We need to give intellectual genealogies."

"Oppression is an experience, not an ontological status."

"We produce and reproduce oppression every single day."

"We need to recognize where we come from."

"Interest convergence is a temporary strategy."

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