Episode 88: The Olympics Breakdancing Saga and Cultural Appropriation

RedFem

Rachel Gunn, a 36-year-old academic with a Cultural Studies PhD in breakdancing, competed at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, resulting in much confusion and amusement caused by her comically poor performance. How did 'Raygun' get in the Olympics? Is it a stunt? Is she being bullied now by those lampooning her online? We discuss that saga and the conflation between cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation, with examples. Plus, Hannah’s views on Australian men, insane British TV shows, anonymous marking and standardised testing, the concept of the 'dead Indian', and TRA notions that objectify and utopianise indigenous populations.