Social Deconstruction

We demand pockets! On Natural Hair, Clothing and Dress Codes, and the Policing of Appearance

Welcome to episode 13! This is the season finale of Social Deconstruction with Pamela Zabala, but fear not! It’s not the end. I’m taking a few months off to travel and focus on my academic work. I’ll be back with the next slate of fabulous interviewees before you know it. In this solo episode, I talk about the podcast’s journey this season and thank all of the listeners and guests for making this little project a great success. I also talk about something that I’ve hinted at and touched upon in several episodes, which is how clothing, hair, and appearance reinforces power dynamics and social structures. I take two lenses to this topic: I talk about my own natural hair journey and the policing of Black people’s hair in professional spaces and I talk about the inherent gender dynamics that still exist in the fashion industry that continue to manifest in things like women’s clothes not having pockets, which is one of my biggest pet peeves. I then connect this to a broader discussion about inclusivity and the policing of people according to their appearance and what they may be presenting outwardly. I hope to touch on each of these topics with invited experts next season, so be on the lookout! Thank you again for tuning in and making this season a success. Make sure you subscribe, follow rate and review so that you can receive new episode notifications as soon as they're released. You can also follow Social Deconstruction on Instagram and Twitter.  References and Extra Reading * W. Kamau Bell: What 'desert Florida' taught me about America's 'woke war', https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/08/opinions/woke-war-united-shades-of-america-kamau-bell/index.html [https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/08/opinions/woke-war-united-shades-of-america-kamau-bell/index.html] * How Natural Hair at Work Became a Civil Rights Issue, https://daily.jstor.org/how-natural-black-hair-at-work-became-a-civil-rights-issue/ [https://daily.jstor.org/how-natural-black-hair-at-work-became-a-civil-rights-issue/] * More states are trying to protect black employees who want to wear natural hairstyles at work, https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2019/09/19/more-states-are-trying-protect-black-employees-who-want-wear-natural-hairstyles-work/ [https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2019/09/19/more-states-are-trying-protect-black-employees-who-want-wear-natural-hairstyles-work/] * The Crown Act, https://www.thecrownact.com [https://www.thecrownact.com/]  * The Hair Dilemma: Conform to Mainstream Expectations or Emphasize Racial Identity, https://scholarship.law.duke.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1119&context=djglp [https://scholarship.law.duke.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1119&context=djglp] * How Living Single was the Blueprint for Friends, https://www.34st.com/article/2021/11/livingsingle-friends-black-television-creators-tv-ratings [https://www.34st.com/article/2021/11/livingsingle-friends-black-television-creators-tv-ratings] * Of All the Ways Clothing Is Gendered, Pockets Are the Most Ridiculous, https://www.instyle.com/fashion/clothing/womens-clothing-with-pockets [https://www.instyle.com/fashion/clothing/womens-clothing-with-pockets] * The  Rational Dress Society Gazette, https://www.bl.uk/collection-items/the-rational-dress-societys-gazette [https://www.bl.uk/collection-items/the-rational-dress-societys-gazette] Find more reading and sources at www.socialdeconstructionpod.com  'Sunny Hip Hop' performed by Trending Music, used under license from Shutterstock.

Pero like, y’all: Alex Ximil on food authenticity, Taco Bell’s bad rep, the bougie-fication of work clothes, and being Latino in the South

In this episode I talk to Alex Ximil, fellow Latino and upcoming Raleigh comedian about Taco Bell’s bad rep, the bougie-fication of work clothes, and being Latino in the South. Alex grew up in North Carolina and New York and describes himself as a city boy living the country life. While I was skeptical at first about his defense of Taco Bell, I think he made a decent case in the end, and it led to a great discussion about the constant search for authenticity in food cultures. We also had a really great conversation about what it’s like to do comedy in Spanish, and Alex tells us about how he’s on the brink of losing his “Latino Card.” Enjoy!  Make sure you subscribe, follow rate and review so that you can receive new episode notifications as soon as they're released. You can also follow social deconstruction on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/socialdeconstructionpodcast/] and Twitter [https://twitter.com/SocialDeconPod] and find more information as well as episodes and show notes on the website: www.socialdeconstruction.com [http://www.socialdeconstruction.com/] Follow Alex! If you want to learn more about Alex, you can follow him on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/alex.ximil/]. If you loved this episode, listen to Drink the tea and clap when the plane lands: Helen Wildy on growing up an immigrant, becoming a citizen, and the celebrities of Belfast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/social-deconstruction-with-pamela-zabala/id1606958921?i=1000565517585], another funny comedian episode where I explore all the wonders of growing up an immigrant. Links and resources * https://abortion.cafe/ [https://abortion.cafe/] - this is a collection of abortion resources * shoutyourabortion.com - this is a campaign to normalize abortion * https://donations4abortion.com/ - donate to support abortion funds by state * https://secure.actblue.com/donate/supportabortionfunds - donate to the national network of abortion funds (donations split between 80+ abortion funds) * https://usow.org/repro/volunteer/ - this is a list of abortion clinics across the country that need volunteers * https://dontbanequality.com/ - this is language for companies to use to stand against the ruling * plancpills.org/ambassadors - here are early abortion access pills you can store in your cabinet * https://prochoice.org/ - this is an abortion access hotline * https://natalist.com/products/early-pregnancy-test-strips - buy early pregnancy test strips * https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control - get info on types of birth control * https://choice.crd.co/ - this is a collection of these above links and more. Managed by @starplanes - DM them on twitter to add more * https://www.guttmacher.org/state-policy/explore/abortion-policy-absence-roe - abortion policy by state as of June 1, 2022 * More in-depth version: https://www.guttmacher.org/state-policy  Find Social Deconstruction and information about the show wherever you download your favorite podcasts. PLEASE take some time to rate and review the podcast wherever you listen!  Follow Social Deconstruction on social media. Twitter: @socialdeconpod [https://twitter.com/SocialDeconPod] Instagram: @socialdeconstructionpodcast  [https://www.instagram.com/socialdeconstructionpodcast/] www.socialdeconstruction.com [http://www.socialdeconstruction.com/] socialdeconstructionpod@gmail.com  'Sunny Hip Hop' performed by Trending Music, used under license from Shutterstock.

Drink the tea and clap when the plane lands: Helen Wildy on growing up an immigrant, becoming a citizen, and the celebrities of Belfast

Could you pass a U.S. citizenship test? In this episode I talk to comedian Helen Wildy, a very funny person who hails from Belfast in Northern Ireland. Helen and I share a number of similarities (we’re basically Mary Kate and Ashley) but the biggest similarity we share is that we are both immigrants to the U.S. This episode we break down what that has looked like for us and what it was like growing up as a part of two cultures. One similarity we share (they just keep adding up) is that both my and Helen’s family make the foods of our own lands for the uniquely American holiday of Thanksgiving. We talk about the process of becoming citizens, the similarities and differences between American, Irish, and Dominican culture, and get an exact timeline for Helen’s love of the band Hanson. Make sure you subscribe, follow rate and review so that you can receive new episode notifications as soon as they're released. You can also follow social deconstruction on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/socialdeconstructionpodcast/] and Twitter [https://twitter.com/SocialDeconPod] and find more information as well as episodes and show notes on the website: www.socialdeconstruction.com [http://www.socialdeconstruction.com/] About Helen Helen Wildy is a stand up comedian and producer based in Raleigh, NC. Originally from Belfast, Northern Ireland, Helen moved to the United States as a child and grew up in Pittsburgh, PA. Helen has performed her act about growing up an Irish, lesbian immigrant all over the States as well as The Netherlands and N. Ireland. She was nominated by Pittsburgh Magazine as "Pittsburgh's Best Comedian" and was featured in an article "5 Funniest People in Pittsburgh (You Haven’t Heard Of)." In June 2020, she won Blue City Comedy’s Comic of the Month online competition, based in Boise, Idaho. Helen has worked as both a feature and an MC at The Pittsburgh Improv and has shared the stage and even joined Cameron Esposito on a few stops of her Person of Consequence Tour! She has also had the pleasure of sharing the stage with many faves including Jesus Trejo,  Caitlin Peluffo, Wil Sylvince & Cipher Sounds, JC Coccoli, Erik Griffin, Aaron Kleiber, Joe Dombrowski (Mr. D), and Dana Goldberg! Follow Helen! If you want to learn more about Helen, you can visit her website https://www.helenwildy.com/ [https://www.helenwildy.com/]  or follow her on Twitter [https://twitter.com/howthehelen] and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/howthehelen/]. If you loved this episode, listen to The Wonders of Adulthood: Jenna Hall on growing up, milestones, spinsterhood, and ham [https://anchor.fm/social-deconstruction/episodes/The-Wonders-of-Adulthood-Jenna-Hall-on-growing-up--milestones--spinsterhood--and-ham-e1g8bbk], another funny comedian episode where I explore growing up and also break cultural barriers.

Living in Precedented Times: On Milestones, Racial Violence, and Juneteenth Ice Cream

Social Deconstruction is officially ten episodes old!!! Thanks so much to everyone who has listened and subscribed so far. In the opening of this episode, I share exciting updates to the podcast and highlight areas of growth over the last ten episodes. This includes, but is not limited to new cover art and the fact that we are now a global podcast! The rest of this episode is dedicated to understanding the white supremacist logic behind the May 14, 2022 racist shooting in Buffalo, New York that claimed the lives of ten Black people and injured another three. The names of the deceased victims are: Margus D. Morrison, 52, of Buffalo; Andre Mackniel, 53; Aaron Salter, 55; Geraldine Talley, 62; Celestine Chaney, 65; Heyward Patterson, 67; Katherine Massey, 72; Pearl Young, 77; and Ruth Whitfield, 86. This ideology is rooted in the idea that everything is a zero-sum game, meaning that as some groups gain, others (namely white people) lose. This of course assumes that we live in a society with finite resources and opportunities, and it also misplaces the blame for structural inequalities onto marginalized communities as opposed to the actors who are actually in power. Despite the clear intentions of the perpetrator and his clearly delineated plan there has been a shocking amount of silence around this event. This is especially salient given the fact that Juneteenth is around the corner and a ton of companies are about to start posturing for the holiday. In the last couple of days, stores like Walmart and Dollar Tree have come under fire for selling Juneteenth-themed party decorations. Walmart even went so far as to sell Juneteenth-themed ice cream, which is absolutely insane. All of this and more are discussed in the milestone 10th episode of Social Deconstruction with Pamela Zabala. Enjoy! Find Social Deconstruction and information about the show wherever you download your favorite podcasts. PLEASE take some time to rate and review the podcast wherever you listen! Follow Social Deconstruction on social media. Twitter: @socialdeconpod Instagram: @socialdeconstructionpodcast www.socialdeconstructionpod.com [http://www.socialdeconstructionpod.com/] socialdeconstructionpod@gmail.com [socialdeconstructionpod@gmail.com] 'Sunny Hip Hop' performed by Trending Music, used under license from Shutterstock.

The Aesthetics of Wellness: Christine Byrne on Wellness, Diet Culture, and the Pervasiveness of Health Influencers

In this episode I talk to journalist and anti-diet dietitian Christine Byrne. We sat down to talk about and try to define “wellness,” which we determined is a very broad concept that isn’t always defined well. Christine shares how she thinks about wellness in her work and we unpack some of the harmful messages that health influencers share on TikTok and other social media platforms. We also talk about our society’s obsession with measuring and tracking steps, calories, size, etc., and how these practices can be detrimental.  About the Guest  Christine Byrne, MPH, RD, LDN, is a non-diet registered dietitian, recipe developer, and food journalist. She has over a decade of media experience, and splits time between content creation and her eating disorder private practice. Christine has bylined over 1,000 articles and written over 500 recipes for national media outlets like Self Magazine, Food Network, BuzzFeed, EatingWell, HuffPost, Outside, and Women's Health. Her expertise has been featured in dozens of articles, and she has appeared on Good Morning America, Meredith, and NY1.  Although she never promotes dieting or weight loss, Christine is passionate about being a part of the larger conversation on food, health, and inclusivity. Her mission is to show people that food can (and should!) be joyful and stress-free, and that all bodies are good bodies. If you want to learn more about Christine and her work, you can visit her website www.christinejbyrne.com [https://christinejbyrne.com/] or follow her on Twitter [https://twitter.com/ChristineJByrne], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/christinejbyrne/], and TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@christinejbyrne].  If you loved this episode, listen to Episode 4: A Little Extra? That's just my Personality! Meghan on body positivity and creating community. Extra Reading and Resources  * @your.Latina.nutritionist [https://www.instagram.com/your.latina.nutritionist/] and @black.nutritionist [https://www.instagram.com/black.nutritionist/] are anti-diet dietitians and nutritionists who focus on helping BIPOC people embrace their culture as they improve their relationship with food.  * Belly of the Beast, Da’Shaun L. Harrison https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/670607/belly-of-the-beast-by-dashaun-harrison/  [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/670607/belly-of-the-beast-by-dashaun-harrison/ ] * Bad, Fat Black Girl, Sesali Bowen https://www.harpercollins.com/blogs/authors/sesali-bowen  [https://www.harpercollins.com/blogs/authors/sesali-bowen ] * “There is a Difference Between Body Positivity, Body Acceptance, and Fat Acceptance. Here’s Why…”, Michelle V. Scott https://medium.com/@michellevscott/there-is-a-difference-between-body-positivity-body-acceptance-and-fat-acceptance-heres-why-184d6cad90a2  * “How the wellness industry is using “clean eating” to sell us diet culture,” Emma Strenner, Vogue (2019) https://www.vogue.in/wellness/content/wellness-industry-is-using-clean-eating-to-sell-us-diet-culture  * The False Promise of Wellness Culture, Daniela Blei, JStor (2017) https://daily.jstor.org/the-false-promises-of-wellness-culture/  * Wellness Culture Won’t Save Us. It’s Only Making us More Sick, Sadhbh O’Sullivan, Refinery29 (2021) https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/wellness-industry-issues-perfectionism  Make sure you subscribe, follow rate and review so that you can receive new episode notifications as soon as they're released. You can also follow social deconstruction on Instagram and Twitter and find more information as well as episodes and show notes on the website: www.socialdeconstruction.com [//www.socialdeconstruction.com]