On this week’s episode of The Waves, it’s rush time! Host Kat Chow is diving deep into the #BamaRush phenomenon that has taken over the internet recently. She’s joined by professor and New York Times columnist Tressie McMillan Cottom to talk about her recent article, “In Alabama, White Tide Rushes On” They dig into the very specific “type” of college student that joins the Alabama sorority, the race and gender implications of the Greek “Machine” and the cuteness of it all.

Fighter Reading:

Our Aesthetic Categories: Zany, Cute, Interesting by Sianne Ngai

HBO documentary Bama Rush (2023) directed by Rachel Fleit

In Slate Plus: Unpacking Tressie’s piece The Enduring, Invisible Power of Blond, and all the internet chaos it caused.

If you liked this episode, check out: How Drake Betrayed Megan Thee Stallion

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth and Vic Whitley-Berry with editorial oversight by Daisy Rosario and Alicia Montgomery.

Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com.

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Jonestown Esmeralda

Jonestown Esmeralda

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