Tools for Changing Society
Join us for two days of presentations and discussions on current world problems and possible solutions
Sat. 10/1
1:00-3:00 pm
Revisiting Black Marxism in the Wake of Black Lives Matter
Robin D. G. Kelley, is Distinguished Professor of History and Black Studies & Gary B. Nash Endowed Chair in U.S. History at UCLA, and current Chair of the Department of African American Studies and a prolific author and editor
My talk reflects on the life and work of Cedric J. Robinson, who just passed this year, especially his magnum opus, Black Marxism: The Making of the Black Radical Tradition (published 33 years ago) in the wake of what may be the most dynamic Black radical movement to emerge in decades – the Movement for Black Lives. I will suggest ways in which Robinson’s book anticipated M4BL and its recent policy platform, which in some ways offers a radical break from Marxism even as it builds from a critique of capitalism.
3:30 – 5:30 pm
Workers and the Uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt
Joel Beinin, Donald J. McLachlan Professor of History and Professor of Middle East History at Stanford University and author of the recent book “Workers and Thieves” will discuss the struggles of the working classes and unemployed in Egypt and Tunisia and their roles in the 2011 popular uprisings known as the Arab Spring.
7:00-9:00 pm
The Refugee Crisis in Europe & Social Movements in France
Pauline Casy. activist in the French revolutionary group “L’Etincelle” (The Spark) and Toni Robert, activist in the German revolutionary group Sozialistische Arbeiterstimme (Socialist Workers Voice)
Sun. 10/2
10:30am -12:30 pm
How Capitalism Shreds Our Personal Lives
Harriet Fraad, Harriet Fraad is a licensed mental health counselor and hypnotherapist in private practice in New York City. She has been an activist in the feminist movement and the journal Rethinking Marxism. For 40 years, she has been a radical committed to transforming US personal and political life.
1:30-3:30 pm
Crisis: It’s How Capitalism Works
Richard Wolff, Marxist professor of economics, Professor of Economics Emeritus, University of Massachusetts, Amherst where he taught economics from 1973 to 2008. He is currently a Visiting Professor at the New School University, New York City. He is the author of numerous books and articles and host of the weekly radio show, Economic Update, and Co-founder of the project Democracy at Work
4:00-6:00 pm
Our Role In Transforming The World
Activists in Speak Out Now, will present a revolutionary socialist perspective on the challenges and choices we all confront today
Followed by time to discuss and socialize – refreshments provided
7:30-8:30
The Artist as Activist
Emel Mathlouthi, Tunisian singer, songwriter, social commentator and participant in the Arab Spring – will take us through her musical and political journey. He song Kelmti Horra (my word is free) became well-known throughout Tunisia during the struggles against the rule of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali
All events will be held at:
Niebyl-Proctor Library
6501 Telegraph Ave,
Oakland, CA 94609
Donation: $5 No one turned away for lack of funds
PM Press will have a book table throughout the event