TW: sexual assault (and the fallout) discussed throughout the episode

Maria is joined by Rosalie Murray and Kelly Gilbert to discuss Paige Michalchuk’s sexual assault plotline as depicted over several seasons of DEGRASSI: THE NEXT GENERATION (2002-2015). Similar to Tim Riggins’ arc that we discussed in Episode #7, this plotline begs for an abolitionist reading. From spontaneously singing “Poor Thing” and driving Dean out of a public space to outing him as a rapist at his frat house and facing his lawyer down in court, Paige goes on quite the character journey as she processes her trauma. We break it all down while also arguing that Paige’s experience pressing charges against her rapist is essentially an essay on why the carceral system fails to bring any sort of meaningful justice for sexual assault survivors.

For this episode, we recommend you first watch or have familiarity with DEGRASSI: THE NEXT GENERATION Seasons 1-4, but especially Season 2, Episodes 7-8, “Shout,” Parts 1 and 2; Season 2, Episode 20, “How Soon Is Now?”; and Season 4, Episodes 1-2, “Ghost in the Machine,” Parts 1 and 2, currently streaming on multiple services, including YouTube, HBO Max, Tubi, and Hulu.

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL | instagram, tumblr, tiktok, bluesky: @leftistteendrama | twitter, letterboxd: @leftyteendrama | website: leftistteendrama.com

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ABOUT US:

MARIA DIPASQUALE (she/her; host/editor) is a Brooklyn-based union communicator, organizer, and writer who watches too much TV. She splits her free time between devouring teen dramas, creating this podcast, tenant organizing, and writing and reading (fan)fiction. Follow Maria on Twitter @Maria_DiP26, IG @mdzip, and tiktok @marialovesunions. 

ROSALIE MURRAY (she/her; recurring guest) is an elementary school social worker/human living in Queens, NY. Besides spending time with her cat, Louise, she loves to cook tasty ass vegan food with friends, karaoke-ing or starting another ceramic project. She also loves to watch endless youtube videos, reality television and, of course, Degrassi.

KELLY GILBERT (she/her; recurring guest) is a student (phd in Twilight), sometimes activist, teen drama aficionado in Brooklyn! Find her IRL every night drinking her sorrows away at Margaritaville, the Jimmy Buffet Experience!

JEFF MCHALE (he/him; producer) is an extremely online guy who plays games, works in the cannabis industry, and loves talking old TV.

CHARLES S. O’LEARY (they/he; art) is a designer + writer based in Richmond, VA. They're currently getting their MFA in Graphic Design at Virginia Commonwealth University, and spend most of their time unsuccessfully scheming how to get off Instagram (@c.s.0.l).

Maria and Jeff’s good union cats CLARENCE and VINNY may make an appearance and/or be mentioned. 

intro song: Stomping the Room by Delicate Beats

All opinions shared on this show are that of individuals and do not represent the views of any organization we may be affiliated with.

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SOURCES DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE: 

• Transform Harm, February 18, 2020, Surviving Rape as a Prison Abolitionist by Miriam Perez-Putnam


• Transform Harm, June 25, 2020, What About the Rapists and Murderers? By Angel Parker


• The Cut, October 1, 2020, Aching for Abolition As a survivor of sexual violence, I know prison isn’t the answer. by Camonghne Felix


• Xtra Magazine, July 2, 2021, Degrassi’s Paige Michalchuk was complicated, to say the least, but her journey was my journey by Mira Miller


• Chanel Miller, Know My Name: A Memoir


• Are Prisons Obsolete? by Angela Y. Davis

SUGGESTED FURTHER READING:

• Beyond Survival: Strategies and Stories from the Transformative Justice Movement