Velshi Banned Book Club: Memoir as a Medium

Release Date: October 3, 2024

Introduction

In the latest episode of MSNBC’s "Velshi Banned Book Club," host Ali Velshi, alongside literary editor Hannah Holland and award-winning author Jeanette Walls, delves into the profound and courageous world of memoirs. This episode spotlights two critically acclaimed memoirs—Roxane Gay’s Hunger: A Memoir of My Body and Jeanette Walls’ The Glass Castle. The discussion underscores the power of storytelling as an act of resistance against the pervasive epidemic of book banning and censorship in the United States.

Exploring Roxane Gay’s Hunger: A Memoir of My Body

The episode opens with Jeanette Walls introducing Roxane Gay’s memoir, Hunger: A Memoir of My Body. Walls emphasizes the bravery inherent in sharing deeply personal and traumatic experiences, stating, “It takes courage to share the worst moments of your childhood and the darkest thoughts you've had about yourself” (00:54). The memoir offers an unflinching examination of societal attitudes towards body image, trauma, and self-acceptance.

Key Themes and Insights:

• Body Image and Societal Perceptions: Gay poignantly discusses how societal narratives impose unfounded judgments on individuals based on their body size. Walls highlights Gay’s assertion that “Fat, much like skin color, is something you cannot hide no matter how dark the clothing you wear” (00:54).

• Trauma and Resilience: Central to Hunger is Gay’s account of being gang-raped at the age of twelve, a trauma that profoundly affects her relationship with her body. Walls notes, “Gay's description of her rape as a young girl is frank and detailed... It is insightful” (06:00).

• Language and Victimhood: In her interview, Gay explores the importance of language in discussing assault. She states, “It’s easier to use detached language like assault or violation than it is to come out and say that I was gang raped” (08:00). This reflects her struggle and eventual acceptance of terms like “victim” and “survivor” in articulating her experience.

Notable Quotes:

• Roxane Gay: “Living in my body has expanded my empathy for other people and the truths of their bodies... This body is resilient. It can endure all kinds of things” (07:02).

• Roxane Gay: “We tend to minimize our traumas... It was actually that bad. And it may not have been as bad as what someone else went through, but it doesn't take away what happened to you” (10:37).

In-Depth Interview with Roxane Gay

The heart of the episode features an insightful interview with Roxane Gay, where she delves deeper into the themes of her memoir and the broader societal implications.

Discussion Points:

• Memoir as a Medium: Gay explains her journey into memoir writing, initially hesitant but ultimately compelled by the need to authentically portray her experiences. “I started to think about how do I wanna write about my body and assault and the connection between the two” (08:00).

• Identity and Cultural Perceptions: Gay addresses the misrepresentation of Haitian Americans, aligning with discussions from Ibi Zoboi’s American Street. She emphasizes the richness of Haitian culture beyond its portrayal as the “poorest country in the western hemisphere” (11:52).

• Body Positivity vs. Self-Acceptance: The conversation distinguishes between superficial body positivity and profound self-acceptance in the face of societal judgment. Gay advocates for inclusivity and genuine acceptance over mere tolerance (09:12).

Jeanette Walls on The Glass Castle

Following a brief interlude, the focus shifts to Jeanette Walls’ memoir, The Glass Castle. Walls narrates her tumultuous childhood marked by poverty, neglect, and parental dysfunction, juxtaposed with her later successes.

Key Themes and Insights:

• Resilience and Forgiveness: Walls recounts her survival and eventual forgiveness of her parents, highlighting the complex nature of familial love amidst dysfunction. “Walls and her siblings face bullying, hunger, homelessness, and sexual abuse... she doesn't, writing instead with nuance, depth, and love” (13:31).

• Hope and Education: The metaphor of the glass castle symbolizes her father’s unattainable dreams and the hope he instilled in his children. Walls underscores education as a pivotal tool for overcoming adversity, “Our house was always filled with books” (24:50).

• Challenging Stereotypes: Like Gay, Walls addresses societal stereotypes, illustrating how personal narratives can dismantle prejudiced views and inspire others facing similar struggles.

Notable Quotes:

• Jeanette Walls: “You have the ability to write in any way you wish to write. Why was it important to write this as a memoir for you?” (07:50).

• Jeanette Walls: “Dad’s hands trembled slightly as he unrolled different blueprints... Dad, I said, you'll never build the glass Castle” (23:35).

Host Interactions and Reflections

Throughout the episode, hosts Jeanette Walls and Hannah Holland engage in reflective conversations about vulnerability, honesty, and the transformative power of sharing personal stories.

Key Discussions:

• Vulnerability as Strength: Both hosts admire Roxane Gay’s ability to be vulnerably honest, which fosters a deep connection with readers. “Honesty and vulnerability... cause you to say, I wonder if that would be as liberating to me” (29:02).

• Impact of Storytelling: They discuss how memoirs like Hunger and The Glass Castle empower individuals by validating their experiences and encouraging others to embrace their own stories without shame.

• Education and Empathy: Emphasizing the role of education, Walls and Gay stress that books should serve as tools for empathy and understanding, rather than being censored or banned for their difficult subject matter.

Notable Insights:

• Hannah Holland: “What she does so amazingly well is distilling these realities that every woman has in a different way and making this argument and crystallizing how radical it is to accept yourself and to love yourself” (27:44).

• Jeanette Walls: “But there's an added dimension to this. We've engaged in things like body positivity discussions, but we're really not” (28:40).

Conclusion and Future Episodes

The episode wraps up with a preview of upcoming discussions, including an exploration of the literary archetype of tragic love, featured in works ranging from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet to Dorit Rabinyan’s All the Rivers. Hosts encourage listeners to subscribe to MSNBC Premium for ad-free access and early releases of future episodes.

Final Remarks:

Jeanette Walls emphasizes the universal resonance of memoirs, stating, “These kids are walking around with shame, fear. They're hiding who they are” (21:38). The episode underscores the essential role of literature in fostering empathy, resilience, and societal change.

Takeaways

This episode of "Velshi Banned Book Club" powerfully illustrates how memoirs serve as windows into personal and collective struggles, advocating for the preservation of literary freedom. Through the candid narratives of Roxane Gay and Jeanette Walls, listeners are reminded of the enduring impact of honesty and vulnerability in literature.

Notable Quotes Summary:

• Roxane Gay: “Living in my body has expanded my empathy for other people and the truths of their bodies” (07:02).

• Roxane Gay: “We tend to minimize our traumas... It’s actually not going to help the person you're comparing yourself to” (10:37).

• Jeanette Walls: “You have the ability to write in any way you wish to write. Why was it important to write this as a memoir for you?” (07:50).

• Hannah Holland: “What she does so amazingly well is distilling these realities... how radical it is to accept yourself and to love yourself” (27:44).

Stay Connected

For more in-depth literary discussions and to support the fight against book banning, subscribe to "Velshi Banned Book Club" on Apple Podcasts and follow MSNBC Premium for exclusive content and early access to upcoming episodes.