Steven Universe (Part 2)

Unramblings

In the second of our Steven Universe episodes, we zoom out and get into how the show tackles ideas of colonialism, oppression, and the dehumanizing effects of living in a society that only values you to the extent that it values your job. Not that we would know anything about that… The references on economic and social mobility, Citizens United, and critical pedagogy in the show notes are totally relevant to our discussion, we promise! And if that sounds like a bit of a downer, we also theorize about fusion between diamonds and whether a fusion with gems for eyes can see.

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Show Notes:

Polygon - Steven Universe Future: Rebecca Sugar Interview

Economic Policy Institute - Let’s not give up on the American Dream Testimony before the Economic Policy Subcommittee of the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; provides data on the current state of economic opportunity, mobility, and inequality in the U.S. and a policy agenda to restore the American Dream

State of the Nation 2018-19: Social Mobility in Great Britain States that social mobility in the UK has been stagnant for four years. Key findings for the Assessment of Social Mobility (which indicate that social mobility is low) are on page 1; the Executive Summary on pp. vii – xi provides recommendations for government departments, employers, education chiefs, local councils, and communities to use in addressing the lack of social mobility and equal opportunity in the UK.

World Bank - Fair Progress? The State of Economic Mobility Across Generations Around the World Summary of the report, which is essentially an entire book on this topic; lists key findings and, surprise, surprise, the PUBLIC INVESTMENTS and POLICIES related to ensuring access to opportunity that affect social/economic mobility.

The Brennan Center - Citizens United Explained Explanation of how the 2010 U.S. Supreme Court Ruling Citizens United v. FEC “reversed century-old campaign finance restrictions and enabled corporations and other outside groups to spend unlimited funds on elections,” giving the wealthiest people and, especially, corporations, even more influence in U.S. elections.

Paolo Freire - Pedagogy of the Oppressed Great book, and really short! One of the foundational texts of critical pedagogy; we refer to some of his analysis of class relationships in colonial systems, particularly the trap of becoming the oppressor instead of achieving true freedom.