Irene's Podcast: Recent Episodes
Irene
The claim that state sovereignty creates obstacles for the realization of justice for individuals and communities is a relevant issue in today's society as we have come to value human rights and justice through globalization at the expense of state sovereignty. Today I will be looking deeper into this debate revolving around the idea of the relationship between sovereignty and justice. How does the extent of a state's territorial control and power affect justice? How does it affect non-state actors such as NGOs and MNCs?
Media influencers and celebrities such as Megyn Kelly, Roseanne Barr, and Kanye West have had their fair share of controversial remarks of racist and generally offensive comments on social media and on national television. All of them received some form of backlash whether it's a twitter feed filled with anger and criticism or a TV show cancellation, but what happens after that? How do we know when an apology is genuine? And if it is genuine, do we forgive them?
Many of our human rights values come from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) that was adopted in 1948. However, when states fail to address or approach inalienable, basic human rights, how can non-state actors (NGOs, celebrities, media, MNCs) advance the protection of these rights? Are they effective in doing so? Why are some states such as China, Russia, or Saudi Arabia hesitant to embrace the UDHR? Does it limit state sovereignty? Listen to this episode to find out more!
Today, we discuss the cultural differences in hip hop and how it has spread beyond African American culture. Is Korean rapping culture cultural appropriation? We delve into the rebellious and political nature of hiphop and whether or not the music genre has branched above and beyond.
Chang-Rae Lee's novel "Native Speaker" is one of the most revered Korean-American literature pieces, especially because of its subtle yet deeply intricate approach to culture. Henry Park, the main character of the book, deals with the clash between two cultures, specifically regarding how he approaches his own American circle and how he communicates with his father. Although written and published over two decades ago, this novel plays a huge role in illustrating the Asian American experience as a whole.
Today I dig deep into the implications of my Asian American identity, and how minorities are silenced and affected by institutionalized racism, systematic oppression, and racial discrimination in general. How am I affected by adding my female identity to my Asian identity? The US has always been my home, but does it embrace me as an American? Recommended and mentioned books/plays in today's podcast include Fences by August Wilson and Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Imbue.
Is the media manipulative? Although manipulation carries a negative connotation, manipulation is everywhere: classrooms, fruitful conversations, great books by great authors, or even Ted-Talks. Manipulation is essentially persuasion. How have we evolved through the media? Or the way we communicate with each other?
Te Doy Mis Ojos is a film directed by Icíar Bollaín in 2003 that showcases domestic violence in an abusive marriage between a married couple (Pilar and Antonio). This film not only represents immense psychological manipulation, but also the endless cycle and the moral confusion involved. We must aim to create a support system for domestic violence victims instead of condemning them for not "reporting" or "standing up for themselves" earlier. We must support victims and deny masculinity to the abuser (in many cases machismo is deeply rooted in domestic violence).
This week I invite Lexy to talk about how childhoods and the significance of them has changed as they have become defined by generations. Does this indicate a generational divide? What are the effects and consequences of future generations growing up during rapid technological development?
In today's podcast episode, Louis shares his funny, yet tragic stories on his struggle and hardships with lactose intolerance. Lactose intolerance is the inability to break down lactose (which is contained in milk and other dairy products) due to the lack of the enzyme lactase that breaks down this lactose. Although Louis and I struggle with the detailed biological aspect of it, we try out best to understand the reality of lactose intolerance.
The trial of OJ Simpson, America's icon, was the trial and question of the century: was he guilty or innocent of the double homicide of Ron Goldman and Nicole Simpson? This American Crime Story mini-series sheds light on the racial tension that arose right after the incident of Rodney King in 1992. Furthermore, Sarah Paulson who plays Marcia Clark in the series emphasizes the extensive sexism and gender discrimination during the trial, which allows the audience to understand social contexts and perhaps the parallelism between 1995 and 2018.
Today I share my deep passion for language, and the emotional side of how Spanish is constructed. It is also crucial to take into consideration the cultural aspect of the language as it becomes another tool to utilize in writing and expressing. I explore the migration journey from South America to the US in the perspective of a mother who sacrifices everything to go to America for her children and their future prosperity.
Idol culture is on the rise, especially in Korea. This industry has been heavily idealized, but there is a lot of darkness behind all the glamour. In this podcast, Louis and I uncover the realities of celebrities and the spread of K-Pop. However, the dream of becoming an ideal still remains prevalent as success and fame is highly valued in Korean societies.
Memes have defined a part of our generation. Where is the line between humor and politics? Is it dangerous to make and spread political memes? Memes are classified as pieces of art so there should be freedom of expression. However, it becomes dangerous when politics becomes simplified into a few words with a random picture which leads to misinterpretations and wrong political assumptions.
How has feminism evolved? How are women defined in this particular social context? There has been a lot of backlash for Ayesha Curry for condemning other women for showing off their skin and wearing more revealing clothing whereas she wants to remain modest. What is the relationship between modesty and feminism?
What is the problem of stigmatizing mental illness? We need to raise awareness for mental illness visibility as a lot of people overlook the significance and importance of mental health. We cannot let the mentally ill be further shunned and isolated by society, and we must construct a support system for them. What is the reason for mental illness stereotypes? How do we eliminate them?
What does it feel like to speak three to four languages? How does culture shape the way you think and function in society? Jazmin talks about her experience being abroad for most of her life in Argentina and New York, but being ethnically Korean.
Generation Z kids have grown ambitious, eager, and hungry for success. They are using social media and new media (forms of technology) to showcase and represent their voices and beliefs. How do you get your voice heard among millions much louder or perhaps more qualified than yours?