With the ousting of Morales in Bolivia, political repression in Hong Kong, and rising tensions with Iran, the question of Imperialism has posted itself with particular force in the last couple months.
Nevertheless, while all three have received much attention from the left, the commonality is not at all clear. What exactly is imperialism? And what constitutes (if at all) effective resistance to it? Finally how has the Left historically understood imperialism and has that understanding been lost?
This panel seeks to address these questions and more by bringing together both activists and academics. Q&A will follow the discussion.
Held October 20th, 2018, at the Univesity of Chicago. Hosted by the Platypus Affiliated Society; funded, in part, by the University of Chicago Student Government.
This teach-in by Dr Abdul Alkalimat—UIUC professor of African American Studies emeritus and noted civil rights activist—took place on October 20th, 2018, and began with an account his involvement in the campaign of Harold Washington, Chicago's first black mayor. Additional topics discussed included the movement for black liberation, the relationship of radical and mainstream politics, and the possible implications of this history for us today.Â
David McReynolds was prominent American socialist and anti-war activist whose career with the War Resisters League spanned 40 years. McReynolds twice ran for President of the United States (1980, 2000) atop the Socialist Party USA ticket, and was America's first openly gay presidential candidate.
The interview took place June 8th, 2018 on Radical Minds (WHPK 88.5 FM Chicago). McReynolds passed away shortly after this interview on August 17th. He was 88 years old.
Radical Minds co-hosts Erin Hagood and Stephanie Gomez interview Matt Cavagrotti and Greg Lucero on the historical and contemporary relationship between socialism and organized labor.
Greg Lucero is a member of Teamsters, Revolutionary Chicago, and the Socialist Party USA. Matt Cavagrotti is a member of Teamsters and the Platypus Affiliated Society.
Topics discussed include:
- Recent wave of American teachers' strikes
- AFSCME vs. Janus Supreme Court decision
- Upcoming contract negotiations between UPS and Teamsters
- Legacy of the New Communist Movement's failed "turn to industry" in the 1970s
- The nature and problems of revolutionary leadership
- Prospects for reviving unionism and socialism in the U.S.
Radical Minds is a radio show exploring the intersection between politics and economics in the modern world, broadcast on WHPK (88.5 FM Chicago). This episode aired May 24, 2018.
The article referenced by Greg is Radical Minds' interview with Mark Rudd, leader of Students for a Democratic Society and co-founder of the Weather Underground, published in issue 24 of the Platypus Review.
Radical Minds is a show that airs every Thursday at 2 PM on WHPK 88.5 FM Chicago. Aired February 8th, 2018, this episode features an interview with Alex Kritikos, SAIC alum and independent Marxist thinker who currently works in advertising, conducted by your hosts, Erin Hagood, Stephanie Gomez, and Will Stratford.
