Season 5, episode 3// The Revolutionary World-Making of the Lesbian and Women in Print Movement

In the inaugural “Swerve South Student Popup,” Jaleah Walker takes us on a captivating journey through the evolution of roller skating. Crafted as a project for Dr. Theresa Starkey’s Gender Studies 201 course, this episode delves into how roller skating has historically provided an avenue for women to challenge and transcend societal norms. From its inception in the 19th century to the adrenaline-packed realm of roller derby, Walker illuminates the role of roller skating in empowering women. Moreover, she examines the critical intersections of race and gender within this vibrant culture. The episode highlights how skate rink segregation gave rise to a unique African American skating subculture, showcasing Black skaters as pioneers of innovative styles. It also emphasizes how skate nights became a platform for Black women to showcase their individuality and resilience in the face of systemic sexism and racism. Join us for a profound exploration of how roller skating has shaped and been shaped by the struggles and triumphs of gender and race.

• Theresa gives an introduction to the 2024 Isom Student Gender Conference with the theme Intersections of Inequality. Mississippi’s longest continuously running student conference, it will take place March 20-22 on campus, featuring the work of undergraduate and graduate students and offering opportunities to engage and converse.
• Jaime announces the Conference’s keynote speaker, Dr. Alex Ketchum, who will present on how gender and sexuality research circulates in public forums on Thursday, March 21 at 4 PM. Visit Dr. Ketchum’s website to read her full bio!
• Our hosts preview two of the student podcasts soon to appear in the Swerve South feed! Get ready for Sophia Purvis’s exploration of 90s gender and sexuality through a podcast episode on Sex and the City, and an episode on the culture surrounding roller skating by Jaleah Walker.

Welcome to another engaging episode of Swerve South! Today, Jaime Harker is in conversation with Julie Enszer, discussing the indomitable spirit and legacy of the late poet Minnie Bruce Pratt. Journey through their personal experiences with Pratt's poetic world and reflect upon her pivotal role within feminist communities.

For full details, visit: https://sarahisomcenter.org/swerve-south/2023/10/26/season-7-episode-3-remembering-minnie-bruce-pratt

Welcome to this episode of Swerve South! Join Jaime and Theresa on a nostalgic journey as they discuss the recent documentary, "Judy Blume Forever." This documentary delves deep into Blume's life and the indelible mark her books left on countless young readers.

Our hosts reminisce about the pivotal role Blume's books played during their adolescence, especially growing up in conservative Christian households. The tales offered a rare understanding of their own bodies amidst an environment where such topics were often treated as taboos. Jaime and Theresa also shine a light on a key aspect of the documentary: the diverse range of writers and readers who share their experiences with Blume’s work. It's a reflection on Blume’s universal reach, transcending the narrow societal confines her books often depicted.

Though they couldn't always relate to Blume's characters, Jaime and Theresa deeply admire the documentary's insight into Blume's life. They are left pondering whether Judy Blume might ever tackle the topic of menopause—a theme still seeking its literary moment.

For full details, visit: https://sarahisomcenter.org/swerve-south/2023/10/4/season-7-episode-2-judy-blume-forever

Welcome to Season Seven of Swerve South Podcast! In this inaugural episode, Jaime Harker and Theresa Starkey unravel a captivating discussion about the revolutionary impact of online communities on the publishing industry. They also touch upon the crucial topic of bypassing traditional gatekeepers and its implications on the literary ecosystem. But the conversation doesn't end there; listen as Jaime and Theresa delve into the Sarah Isom Center's initiatives, highlighting the challenges in addressing inequality from diverse perspectives.

For full details, visit: https://sarahisomcenter.org/swerve-south/2023/9/21/season-7-episode-1-sabbatical-scrolls-and-intersections-of-inequality

From early women’s liberation’s goal in the “Declaration of Sentiments” of rethinking the role of the body to the western philosophy of the mind/body split, the body has been theorized, politicized, and policed. Despite this history of oppression, the body has also been a site of resistance and power. Our hosts discuss various myths, like that of the vaginal orgasm, about the body and landmark texts that have shaped our thinking about embodiment. While the title and inspiration for this episode is taken from the 1970 book Our Bodies, Ourselves by the Boston Women’s Health Collective, this episode expands the conversation about embodiment to touch upon trauma studies and trans experience.

For full notes, visit: http://www.sarahisomcenter.org/swerve-south/our-bodies-ourselves

For further reading, see http://www.sarahisomcenter.org/swerve-south/queering-oxford.

Code: Pink

Oxford Pride

Small Town Gay Bar

Eric GoDiva Holliday

Matt Kessler

torrin a. greathouse 

Jericho Brown 

Beth Ann's website 

Kate Leland's website 

 Dr. Julie Enszer's publications can be found here here: https://julierenszer.com/

 Sinister Wisdom

The Lesbian South: Southern Feminists, the Women in Print Movement and the Queer Literary Canon

Associate Professor of English and African- American studies

Senior Fellow Luckyday Residential College

Chair of African- American Studies

Interim Dean of Sally Barksdale Honors College

Pastor -  Alvis Grove Missionary Baptist Church, Oakland

                   First United Baptist, Batesville