Critical Support: Charles x Shirin

Is Art Always Political? Eurovision, Israel and Where It All Ends

Charles and Shirin discuss the 70th Eurovision contest and whether politics — or Israel — should have been excluded from the competition. As part of the conversation, they discuss Charles' on-the-ground report from Vienna, Austria, and whether protesters or fans are right: Is all art political? Should we just let people enjoy things? And in a world divided by nationalism, is it possible to represent one's country without representing one's government? Subscribe and support the show: https://www.patreon.com/CriticalSupport

Special Edition: Live From Eurovision and the Controversy Over Israel

Critical Support’s Charles R. Davis files an on-the-ground report from Vienna, Austria, which hosted the 70th edition of Eurovision. He speaks to protesters who criticized Israel’s inclusion in the song contest, citing its actions in Gaza and arguing there should be “no platform for genocide.” And he talks to Eurovision fans who say politics has no place at an event that should be about music, love and unity. Is it fair to hold artists responsible for the actions of their government? Can we ever afford to ignore politics? And does the decision to exclude Russia over its invasion of Ukraine show that Eurovision has a double standard? Listen, subscribe and find out more: https://www.patreon.com/CriticalSupport

Talking Tradwives with Amanda Marcotte

Charles R. Davis and Shirin Sadeghi sit down with journalist Amanda Marcotte, a senior politics writer at Salon and the host of "Standing Room Only," a weekly show about culture and current events available on YouTube. This week's discussion: the "tradwife" phenomenon and the rise of influencers like Hannah Neeleman of Ballerina Farm who are selling nostalgia for pre-20th century gender roles. Why is this happening now? Who is the target audience? And are women persuaded by content that encourages them to abandon their careers for a life raising kids on the farm? And are "tradwives" even real? Marcotte and the hosts discuss Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha, and whether their relationship is actually traditional or just a performance. https://www.patreon.com/c/CriticalSupport

Birthright Citizenship and Its Discontents

Brooklyn College Prof. Anna O. Law joins Critical Support to talk about her new book, "Migration and the Origins of American Citizenship: African Americans, Native Americans, and Immigrants." She discusses the history of American xenophobia, "open borders" and why the Trump administration is waging a war on birthright citizenship. And she tackles the question: Is there reason for hope? Prof. Law's book is available at Oxford University Press: https://academic.oup.com/book/62224 Reach out to us at CriticalSupportPod@protonmail.me

Lesser Evils, Fake News and 4/20

Charles and Shirin discuss Sen. Cory Booker and his argument that left-wing purity is costing Democrats' elections, the various meanings of 4/20 and why the public is losing access to real news.