Date: Fri, 13 Jul 2001 16:19:00 -0400
Subject: Re: Wacquant on boxing


Oh my. Such inflammatory language.

I've read some of Wacquant's work on boxing. I am definitely NOT a fan of
boxing, but his work is fascinating and I've gone out of my way to read it
in the past (and will definitely read the new book). My take on Loic
Wacquant is that, in the best tradition of work influenced by Bourdieu, his
deepest interest is in the 'unspeakable barbarisms' and violences of
poverty and racism, particularly in the inner cities of the U.S., and
boxing is one way to finding out about and understand that -  in an
'embodied' way. Since boxing is definitely a classed and raced activity,
then you need to understand the context (in a Bourdieusian way) to
understand its appeal.

Please don't grind your personal ax against boxing on Wacquant's back. Read
some of his work instead.

Elaine Power



>And so I ask, well, why would Lacquant subject himself to that?  If
>he doesn't relish his own participation, then he's quite a trooper. And if
>he does, then the appeal of this unspeakable barbarism for him demands
>explanation.  And I think I'm entitled to an answer.
>




**********************************************************************
Contributions: bourdieu-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu
Commands: majordomo-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu
Requests: bourdieu-approval-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu