Unsettling: Jews, Whiteness, and Incest in American Popular Culture

Unsettling explores how Jewish community protective politics impacted the representation of white male Jewish masculinity in the 1990s, focusing on Woody Allen, Roseanne Barr, and Henry Roth. It demonstrates how media coverage of their incest denials, allegations, and confessions intersect with a history of sexual antisemitism, and how Freud became "white" in these discussions.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 206 pages
Publication date: 30 November 2020
Publisher: Rutgers University Press

Unsettling provides a comprehensive analysis of how media coverage of Jewish celebrities and incest has shaped public perceptions of white male Jewish masculinity in the 1990s. Through a detailed examination of the narratives surrounding Woody Allen, Roseanne Barr, and Henry Roth, the book demonstrates how media coverage of their respective incest denials, allegations, and confessions intersect with a history of sexual antisemitism. Additionally, the introductory chapter on Jewish second-wave feminist criticism of Sigmund Freud explores how Freud became "white" in these discussions.

Unsettling goes beyond merely examining the impact of media on public discourse and delves into the complex ways in which whiteness functions for an ethnoreligious group with historic vulnerability to incest stereotypes as well as contemporary white privilege. By exploring the sympathetic portrayal of white Jewish men accused of incest and even those who defiantly confess it, the book sheds light on the ways in which these individuals became improbable figures representing supposed white male vulnerability.

The book's analysis is grounded in a rich array of primary sources, including interviews with journalists, celebrities, and experts in the field. These sources provide valuable insights into the media's coverage of Jewish celebrities and incest, as well as the broader social and cultural contexts in which these events occurred.

In conclusion, Unsettling is a groundbreaking work that offers a comprehensive analysis of how media coverage of Jewish celebrities and incest has shaped public perceptions of white male Jewish masculinity in the 1990s. Through a detailed examination of the narratives surrounding Woody Allen, Roseanne Barr, and Henry Roth, the book demonstrates how media coverage intersects with a history of sexual antisemitism and how white Jewish men accused of incest became improbably sympathetic figures representing supposed white male vulnerability. This book is essential reading for anyone interested in understanding the complex dynamics of race, religion, and gender in contemporary society.

Weight: 286g
Dimension: 153 x 228 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781978807242