Ep. 51: Ukraine & the Narratives of War w/ Daemeah Karbeah, Cynthia Enloe, Daniel Trilling, Ahmed Shihab-Eldin; Hercules & Love Affair

The dynamic, shape shifting Hercules & Love Affair, is the vision of US born and Belgium based artist Andy Butler.

Through collaborative relationships with artists such as Sharon Von Etten, Frankie Knuckles and ANOHNI, Andy brings together diverse compositions, seamlessly blending the genres of house, electronic, disco, pop and alternative. Hailing from Denver and now based in Ghent, Butler’s current musical offering reflects on current uncertain times and his own experiences of queerness and spirituality.

Reuniting with ANOHNI on Hercules & Love Affair’s upcoming release, which features drums by Budgie of Siouxsie and the Banshees, In Amber, is their first offering in five years. Andy chats with Stance about the album’s themes of loss, rage and empowerment, and charts the musical history of his band to date.

Twenty year old Minnesota based college student, Daemeah Karbeah co-founded Instagram page @BlackPeopleInUkraine to offer support and resources as well as bring to light the racism and discrimination faced by Black people fleeing Ukraine.

Initially fact checking and documenting stories on her personal TikTok, Daemeah has been sharing resources in support of those attempting to flee the war.

Her platform is a distribution point for accurate information for Black people and those wanting to help. In discussion with Stance, she shares her thoughts on the lack of media coverage from a Black perspective, the catalyst for creating @BlackPeopleInUkraine, and the stories she hears from black people on the ground.

Academic, Cynthia Enloe is a Research Professor in International Development, Politics and Gender Studies at Clark University in Massachusetts. A feminist writer, theorist, and professor, Cynthia is best known for her work on gender and militarism, and for her contributions to the field of feminist geopolitics.

Cynthia’s research focuses on politics, and globalized economics, and women's experiences of and resistance to militarism, nationalism and war.

Her widely published works include Nimo’s War, Emma’s War Making Feminist Sense of the Iraq War (2010), and The Big Push: Exposing and Challenging Persistent Patriarchy (2017). In discussion with Stance, Cynthia breaks down the connection between gender and militarism in Ukraine and globally, as well as what we can learn from women who have experienced war in other corners of the world.

Author and journalist, Daniel Trilling has written extensively about issues of migration, nationalism and human rights for publications including the Guardian and London Review of Books.

Daniel is the author of Lights in the Distance: Exile and Refuge at the Borders of Europe, and Bloody Nasty People: the Rise of Britain’s Far Right.

In discussion with Stance, Daniel describes the economic and social backdrop of Ukraine, and the impact of media coverage and policy changes on migration and refugees fleeing war.

Ahmed Shihab-Eldin is a journalist, producer and storyteller championing lesser known narratives by documenting and using social media as a platform to share news and issues. Ahmed’s storytelling often subverts dominant western, white perspectives on topics from the Global South.

Ahmed is a commentator for CNN, NBC, BBC, Al Jazeera and other platforms, and is often invited to speak at leading conferences around the world - including the UN, and the World Economic Forum. In conversation with Stance, Ahmed highlights the globalized politics of war and the importance of equal representation.

Music Used in this Podcast:

Hercules & Love Affair Track Listing with thanks to BMG/Skint Loaded Label:

Grace
Grace (Hercules Club Remix)
Poisonous Storytelling (Instrumental, Unreleased)
Blind

Front Page Image Credit: Andy Butler, Hercules & Love Affair Press Image