Ep. 237: Is Game of Thrones Racist and Sexist?

There are two guests on this week's episode of The Chauncey DeVega Show.

Paul Sturtevant is the founder and Editor-in-chief of The Public Medievalist and the author of the book The Middle Ages in Popular Imagination: Memory, Film and Medievalism. Paul is also a Visitor Research Specialist for the Smithsonian Institution.

Paul reflects on how the "high fantasy" genre which includes Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings as well as games such as Dungeons & Dragons help to teach the public lessons--mostly incorrect--about medieval Europe. He also shares his thoughts on military strategy as depicted in Game of Thrones, why the medieval fantasy genre is so popular, and J.R.R. Tolkien's Eurocentrism and racism as shown through his Lord of the Rings universe.

And of course Chauncey cannot help but to sing the praises of Martin Lawrence's underappreciated comedy classic Black Knight.

At the end of this week's episode of The Chauncey DeVega Show there is a special bonus segment where Paul offers his answers about famous "what if?" military battles from the medieval world.

Timothy Malone is the second guest on this week's episode of The Chauncey DeVega Show. He teaches philosophy at Antioch University and is the author of the recent essay "The Real Monster in 'Game of Thrones' Is Its Hidden Reactionary Ideology" which can be read at Truthout.

Timothy explains Game of Thrones's reactionary politics, its racism and sexism as seen through white savior figures such as Daenerys Targaryen, how Missandei and Grey Worm exist to fulfill the emotional and other needs of white characters, and the powerful symbolism of the White Walkers and the wall.

Timothy Malone also reflects on the vitriolic rage which was directed at him because he dared to criticize and make clear the very problematic politics and overall worldview of Game of Thrones.

On this week's show, Chauncey DeVega highlights how Democratic Party's leaders are breaking basic rules of strategy regarding their decision to not impeach Donald Trump.

Chauncey also shares three stories about the culture of cruelty and evil being encouraged and unleashed by Donald Trump, the Republicans and their racial authoritarian American fascist regime against children, gays and lesbians, immigrants, and poor people.

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IF YOU ENJOYED THIS WEEK'S SHOW YOU MAY LIKE THESE EPISODES OF THE CHAUNCEY DEVEGA SHOW AS WELL

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Ep. 231: Exploring the Politics and Meaning of Jordan Peele's New Film "Us"

Ep. 190: Black Genius and Childish Gambino's "This is America"

Ep. 156: Nancy MacLean Explains the Radical Right-wing's Plans to Destroy American Democracy

Ep. 69: Michael Witwer on the Secret History of the Dungeons and Dragons Role-playing Game

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Music at the end of this week's episode of The Chauncey DeVega Show is by JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound. You can listen to some of their great music on Spotify.