Who Watches the Watchmen? Race and Policing Through the Lens of Popular Entertainment

This special episode features a recording of an event held on June 25th about how Watchmen and other popular entertainment can highlight and help us understand critical issues around race and policing.

When HBO series Watchmen premiered in October 2019, the show — a dramatically different take on Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’s original comic book/graphic novel — was noted for its direct confrontation of racism in America. Systemic racism, police brutality, collective trauma, and vigilante justice are all central themes to the TV remix. In light of ongoing deaths of Black Americans at the hands of police, nationwide protests, and calls for reforms, the show is now getting a second look with many calling it eerily prescient.

Tune in to a conversation, originally held on June 25th, 2020, about how Watchmen and other popular entertainment can highlight and help us understand critical issues around race and policing. Speakers include:

• Chris LeBron, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Johns Hopkins University
• Leah Wright Rigueur, Associate Professor of Public Policy, Harvard Kennedy School, Brandeis University
• Deva Woodly, Associate Professor of Politics, The New School
• Christopher Robichaud (Moderator), Senior Lecturer in Ethics and Public Policy, Harvard Kennedy School

⚠ Spoiler alert! This discussion will reveal key moments from the show, if you haven’t seen it already and plan to, we highly encourage you to watch before listening.

Prefer to watch the discussion? Tune into the video recording ⤵️

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This podcast is produced by Harvard Ash Center.