Addressing the problematic stuff in a podcast
frommeyer
ChicagoPosts: 418MI6 Agent
I intended to launch a Bond podcast last year. Planned on going through everything the franchise has to offer - novels, movies, music, clothes, etc - and I wanted to get my practice reps in by first doing the books in order. One of my minor goals with the show was placing Bond (and the listener) in the proper geopolitical context of the time (whatever time that may be, depending on the work). Once upon a time I was an international relations graduate teaching assistant. Kinda my wheelhouse.
But orienting the structure around "providing context" sorta derailed me. The first couple of episodes basically devolved into my apologizing for being a Bond fan. Despite a decent outline. The sexism and racism of the time were just... too much. And I'm not an expert in these matters. Just a dude going "oof, wtf, Ian?" And that's obviously a terrible podcast no one wants to hear. So I never released the episodes. Largely because I didn't want to talk about these books and only pay lip service to the problematic cultural issues - my name would be going on this show. By the same token, I didn't wanna lecture anybody either. Rock/hard place.
Today, I think I've devised a decent solution for the episodes covering books/movies which contain especially problematic material. I'll end them with little interviews with various experts and activists. We'll discuss the offending issues. Sort of like a swear jar but for Bond fandom.
Something like this appeals to me. And I think will allow me to compartmentalize how I approach Bond within the episodes. Because I'm both a fan and a severe social critic.
...I'm actually not sure what the point of this post is. Mostly thinking it through in real time and you've been my unwitting sounding board. But I'm open to suggestions/thoughts!
But orienting the structure around "providing context" sorta derailed me. The first couple of episodes basically devolved into my apologizing for being a Bond fan. Despite a decent outline. The sexism and racism of the time were just... too much. And I'm not an expert in these matters. Just a dude going "oof, wtf, Ian?" And that's obviously a terrible podcast no one wants to hear. So I never released the episodes. Largely because I didn't want to talk about these books and only pay lip service to the problematic cultural issues - my name would be going on this show. By the same token, I didn't wanna lecture anybody either. Rock/hard place.
Today, I think I've devised a decent solution for the episodes covering books/movies which contain especially problematic material. I'll end them with little interviews with various experts and activists. We'll discuss the offending issues. Sort of like a swear jar but for Bond fandom.
Something like this appeals to me. And I think will allow me to compartmentalize how I approach Bond within the episodes. Because I'm both a fan and a severe social critic.
...I'm actually not sure what the point of this post is. Mostly thinking it through in real time and you've been my unwitting sounding board. But I'm open to suggestions/thoughts!
Comments
Please give a link once you're ready, it sounds worth hearing.
For an example of how not to address "problematic" issues, listen to James Bond & Friends. They go out of their way to get offended at every turn.
It's very difficult to judge art that was created in a specific time and place. I have no idea what it was like to live in England after the war. Without context, someone could very easily gloss over Fleming's descriptions of food, considering it examples of excess and gluttony. However, Fleming gave color and texture to the masses living off of rations. Regarding hot topic issues, consider how much we knew and what was accepted versus the current social awareness. I'm not accusing Fleming of anything, nor am I forgiving him either. But, you can't judge someone for not having information, in much the same way you can't test a student on information they haven't been taught. We are fortunate to live in a modern society where voices are being heard and the opportunity for learning is so much more available.
The older I get, the more I look back on things I've said and realize how insensitive I had been. We have to be able to learn from our past, collectively. And if that means keeping around books like Live And Let Die and Gone With The Wind, then so be it.
I guess consider your audience and your objective.
"Keeping British end up, sir." - RM "This never happened to the other fellow." - JL "I must be dreaming." SC