Dr Zuleyka Zevallos

Let's talk about representations of race, gender & ableism in Joker and how to situate a critical reading in the local Australian context I saw the film last night in Newtown, Sydney, where the mostly White audience erupted in rapturous clapping. We'll explore this reactionpic.twitter.com/GeGigvfxbJ

*Spoilers* 'Joker' presents a racialised & gendered view of class. Thomas Wayne (Gotham's White male, super rich aspiring Mayor) is the antagonist. Wayne refers to protesters with contempt (jokers) & he punches Arthur (Joker) while he's emotionally vulnerable. Whiteness prevailspic.twitter.com/keNKqisaGX

Joker's rise as anti-hero is celebrated as revolutionary in the film. It isn't. Lower class White men view equity movements as encroaching on their social status (https://www.amazon.com/Angry-White-Men-American-Masculinity/dp/1568585136 …). Joker simply re-legitimises White male anger as a political tool, which it always has beenpic.twitter.com/6BlgG7T6t6

Arthur kills White affluent dudebros, an obnoxious White male talkshow host, & mean White male colleague. This inspires a revolution in Gotham, where MEN in clown masks riot. The film pitches this as social commentary, when in fact, it's just White male 'aggrieved entitlement'pic.twitter.com/onbbfTWsx8