It’s Not Personal: When Rejection Gets Political

It’s Not Personal: When Rejection Gets Political

From KQED's Forum by KQED

May 1, 2026 · 55 min

About this episode

The episode explores the political implications of rejection through the lens of Alison Kinney's book.

We all know the stinging pain of rejection: the exclusion from a high-school in-group or the all-too-common experience of applying for a job and receiving an email starting with “We regret to inform you…” But beyond the personal experience of rejection is a power dynamic worth interrogating, argues author Alison Kinney. Her new book, “United States of Rejection: A Story of Love, Hate, and Hope,” examines it as not only a personal force, but a political one. Guests: Alison Kinney, author; assistant professor of writing, Eugene Lang College at The New School Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People in this episode

Guest: Alison Kinney

Topics covered

  • rejection
  • politics
  • power dynamics
  • personal experience
  • social exclusion

Keywords

  • rejection
  • politics
  • Alison Kinney
  • social dynamics
  • personal experience

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Eugene Lang College

Books & works: United States of Rejection: A Story of Love, Hate, and Hope

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