Caught on Tape: White Masculinity and Obscene Enjoyment

In a surveillance culture, audio-visual recording devices have enabled the documentation of private indiscretions, scandalous conversations, and obscene behaviors by both ordinary and high-profile people. This book argues that public revelations constitute a symbolic and imaginary world for the public that is preoccupied with the obscene enjoyment of transgressive white masculinity and that addressing race and gender inequality with the promise of scandalous hot mics and obscene private videos transforms antiracism and gender justice into disempowering forms of spectatorship that ultimately conceal the structural nature of whiteness, white supremacy, and patriarchy.

Format: Hardback
Length: 200 pages
Publication date: 10 July 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

In the realm of surveillance culture, the pervasive presence of audio-visual recording devices has facilitated the unprecedented documentation of private indiscretions, scandalous conversations, and obscene behaviors exhibited by individuals from all walks of life, including ordinary citizens and prominent figures. From the infamous Access Hollywood video, which captured former President Donald J. Trump engaging in lewd banter, to the leaked audio of celebrity racist tirades, contemporary media culture is saturated with obscene performances of transgressive white masculinity. These exposés are screened and consumed with the belief that exposing secret prejudices will inevitably lead to the realization of democratic ideals and a postracial and postfeminist future. However, this book delves into the question of why the culture of public revelations has failed to hold the perpetrators accountable.

Caught on Tape serves as a compelling illustration of how public revelations create a symbolic and imaginary world for the public, primarily driven by the obsessive fascination with the obscene enjoyment of transgressive white masculinity. This experience manifests as a compulsive repetition of ecstatic and excessive pleasure-in-pain, arising from encounters with that which disrupts, traumatizes, and interrupts our coherent selves and the fabric of reality. Caught on Tape argues that by promising scandalous hot mics and obscene private videos as solutions to address race and gender inequality, antiracism and gender justice are transformed into disempowering forms of spectatorship that ultimately obscure the structural nature of whiteness, white supremacy, and patriarchy.

At the heart of this book's central argument lies the notion that the spectators themselves are the ones who are truly caught on tape. The public's fascination with these revelations stems from their desire to be entertained, to be voyeurs of the private lives of others. However, this obsession obscures the deeper societal issues at play and perpetuates the status quo. By focusing solely on the spectacle of scandal and outrage, the public is prevented from engaging in meaningful dialogue and action to address the root causes of inequality and discrimination.

In conclusion, Caught on Tape offers a thought-provoking exploration of the culture of public revelations and its implications for our society. It challenges the notion that exposing secret prejudices will automatically lead to positive change and emphasizes the need for a more nuanced and comprehensive approach to addressing race and gender inequality. By recognizing the role of the spectators in perpetuating this culture, we can begin to break free from the cycle of voyeurism and engage in meaningful conversations and actions that promote equality and justice for all.

Weight: 10g
Dimension: 235 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197677865