In this episode I explore the significance of a dump truck beep when heard by a community of workers called los pepenadores, a community that works in the city garbage dump of Oaxaca, Mexico. Based on fieldwork and research, I argue that this particular sound is violent as well as informative because it exists within a violent structure, enabled by societal and governmental apathy. Considering structural violence changes the understanding of this environment, from an undesirable workplace to an assemblage of actants that violently impact the daily lives of los pepenadores; meaning, all aspects of this job, including the soundscape, carry an element of violence.
I suggest a few books at the end of the episode for more information:
Pathologies of Power, Paul Farmer
The Land of Open Graves, Jason DeLeón
The Soundscape, R. Murray Schafer
Vibrant Matter, Jane Bennett
Life and Words, Veena Das
Thanks for checking out this episode!
The view from atop the mountain made of garbage.
I asked for the community’s permission before applying to graduate school, and after I signed my letter of acceptance to the University of Toronto, we celebrated with a pizza party!
Click on this cover to download my full paper!