Diversity Colloquium: Protection from Prosecution: Privilege & Illicit Substance Use in Reality TV

Monday, February 18, 2019 - 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm

Popular criticisms of the war on drugs have focused primarily on the consequences for poor communities and communities of color, but there has been less attention to the ways that white, middle class and wealthy users have been protected from these consequences. I argue that this exceptionalism is supported by popular media, particularly realty television shows like Intervention and Celebrity Rehab. These shows feature predominantly white, middle class and wealthy users who bypass the criminal justice system to enter expensive private treatment programs. I argue that while reality television does not affect public policy directly, it does affect how lay audiences think about substance use and social responses. Co-sponsored with the Department of Sociology, Anthropology & Criminology and the Office of the President.

Location: 
ScholarSpace Rod Library 301
Contact Information
Name: 
Susan Hill
Email: 
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