Risky Others: Covid-19 Reconstitutions of Risk, Governance, and Stigmatization of Bodies

Abstract

This review essay considers how the risk constructions of Othered groups have been reconstituted across intersecting forms of stigma, social injustice, and discrimination during COVID-19. Through three case studies – fat irresponsible bodies, racialized contagious bodies, and food/health workers who are considered risky yet essential labour – we argue that an intersectional lens be applied to the social constructions of risk to understand the social processes of Othering when planning socially just policies, practices, pedagogies, and activism.

Keywords

• stigma
• Fat phobia
• Fat Studies
• Risk
• COVID-19
• racialized minorities