Midwest Socialist is the official podcast of the Chicago chapter of Democratic Socialists of America.
On a very special episode, the Midwest Socialist crew is joined by Jake Flores of Pod Damn America and professor Ann Robertson from DSA SF and Red Star SF to discuss the Vladimir Lenin's seminal text 'State and Revolution.' Considered by many as one of the most important texts in leftist literature, 'State and Revolution' poses challenging considerations on how Marxists should think of the role of a socialist government, the withering away of the state, and the crucial need for a proper analysis of capitalism in order for a successful revolution. Find 'State and Revolution' Here: https://www.marxists.org/archive/lenin/works/1917/staterev/ Ann's Pamphlet, 'Marxism vs. Anarchism: The Philosophical Roots of the Marx-Bakunin Conflict': https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XAhgLNa3C3rEjOLFcFwK19AoO5NlHnlO/view?usp=sharing Join DSA Here: http://dsausa.org/join Midwest Socialist on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MWSocialist Red Star SF on Twitter: https://twitter.com/redstarsf Jake Flores on Twitter: https://twitter.com/feraljokes Sarah Hurd on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sarahjhurd Matt T. on Twitter: https://twitter.com/foiaforlastname
Matt talked with Austin about his experience on DSA's National Political Committee, the International Committee, his hosting experience on Machete y Mate, and a shared identity over being Puerto Rican in the diaspora. A moving yet informative conversation! Join DSA: www.dsausa.org/join Find Machete y Mate wherever you find podcasts Follow Machete y Mate: https://twitter.com/MacheteyMate Follow Austin: https://twitter.com/Gaius_Gracchus_ Follow the International Committee: https://twitter.com/DSA_Intl_Comm Follow Midwest Socialist: https://twitter.com/MWSocialist Follow Matt: https://twitter.com/foiaforlastname
This week MWS Producer Brynn is joined by Matthew C. from CDSA's Democratize ComEd campaign to talk about environmentalism in the US, the state of the campaign here in Illinois, and how the snowstorm and power grid failures went down in Texas. *One correction: The number of Americans who have public power today are 1 in 7, not 1 in 5. To Learn More About #DemComEd Check Them Out Here: https://demcomed.org/ Follow DemComEd On Twitter: https://twitter.com/DemComEd Follow Midwest Socialist On Twitter: https://twitter.com/MWSocialist
On a special episode Matt is joined by Ramsin and Jasson from CDSA to discuss the new film 'Judas and the Black Messiah', Fred Hampton, and the legacy of organizing from the Black Panthers to today. Follow Midwest Socialist on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MWSocialist Join DSA: www.dsausa.org/join Follow Jasson on Twitter: https://twitter.com/IolaElla Follow Ramsin on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ramsincanon Follow Matt on Twitter: https://twitter.com/foiaforlastname
Sean Duffy talked with Matt about what they have experienced and learned from being a CDSA member to holding an elected position in the chapter. They also talk about the importance of not taking any shortcuts in our organizing work and what theory of change can help most in our success. Join DSA: www.dsausa.org/join Join CDSA Defund Committee Here: bit.ly/JoinDefundCPD Learn more about Jane Mcalevey and 'No Shortcuts' Here: https://www.dsausa.org/no-shortcuts-to-building-power/ Reform and Revolution: https://socialistregister.com/index.php/srv/article/view/5272 Find Sean on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/seanduffy_ Follow Midwest Socialist on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/MWSocialist
We have a special episode this week! We have uploaded the audio from a recent teach-in hosted by Chicago DSA regarding the ongoing war in Yemen. This was a part of a national DSA action in coordination with chapters across the country. Enjoy! Join DSA! www.dsausa.org/join
This week, Midwest Socialist Podcast producer Ali hosts Sasha and Whitney from the Chicago chapter of Sex Workers Outreach Project-USA. Learn how the struggle for the decriminalization of sex work and the fight to restore human rights for sex workers is happening in Chicago and across the country right now. Important Links: SWOP GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/supply-the-swopchicago-red-lightbulb-van Philosophy Tube Sex Work video suggested by Sasha and Whitney https://youtu.be/1DZfUzxZ2VU Whitney's FB: Facebook.com/whitnurse38138 Sasha's Twitter: https://twitter.com/xosashadarling SWOP Chicago Twitter: https://twitter.com/SWOPChicago MWSocialist Twitter: https://twitter.com/MWSocialist Ali’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/marxxxinista69 Chicago DSA Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChicagoCityDSA To Learn More About CDSA And How To Join: https://chicagodsa.org/
In a special episode Matt sits down with Kirsten, a teacher, and Dennis, a nurse, from Chicago Public School to discuss the city's attempts at school reopenings in the midst of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. They discuss the tremendous impact these reopenings have on their students, the families, plus the faculty and staff, and how the Chicago Teachers Union is fighting to protect the city from spreading the virus even more. Follow CTU on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CTULocal1 Follow Dennis on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Dennis_Kosuth Follow MWSocialist: https://twitter.com/MWSocialist Follow Matt: https://twitter.com/foiaforlastname Follow Chicago DSA: https://twitter.com/ChicagoCityDSA
Matt talks with Anais from Left Out Mag to talk socialist publications in a new era and giving a platform to black leftist writers. Plus, they talk about the capitol thing. Follow Left Out Mag on Twitter: https://twitter.com/LeftOutMag Follow Anais on Twitter: https://twitter.com/poor_nai Find Chicago DSA Events Here: https://www.chicagodsa.org/events/ Follow Midwest Socialist on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MWSocialist
Midwest Socialist Pod Producer Brynn sat down with Jacobin's Micah Uetricht to help us usher in the new year! They talk about his book and the state of the left today. Follow Micah on twitter @micahuetricht
This week Matt talks with Vicko from the South Side Steering Committee of CDSA and AFROSoC about the recent mutual aid efforts of CDSA and what the future holds. The next event will be 12/20/2020 and you can donate here: http://bit.ly/CDSAmutualaid
On this episode we talk with Jasson from Chicago DSA's Defund Campaign and AfroSOC to talk about anti-racist, abolitionist, and coalition building organizing. For a link to Jasson's original thread click here: https://twitter.com/IolaElla/status/1330923402098581506?s=20
This week Matt sat down with Midwest Socialist producer Ali C. to talk gender, socialism, and the future of the Socialist Feminist Working Group in CDSA!
Matt T. and Carlos E. discuss a piece of theory and history from the past! They look at a classic pamphlet from the Bay Area Socialist Organizing Committee, published in 1981, 'Confronting Reality/Learning from the History of Our Movement' Find the piece here: https://www.marxists.org/history/erol/ncm-7/basoc/index.htm
Matt talks with Chicago DSA's Political Education Coordinator Sveta S. on the importance of education in our organizing.
Surprise episode! CDSA Comrades Mal and Max came on the pod to review Aaron Sorkin's new film 'Trial of the Chicago 7'
Matt wraps up the two part election special with Jake Flores from Pod Damn America and T from Machete y Mate to talk the election cycle so far, and more importantly what this election means for Latin America and what the future of the U.S. left looks like.
Content Warning: Sexual Assault --- On this episode of the Midwest Socialist Podcast, Tara Reade gives a statement on her experience and feelings going into the elections, what her story as a sexual assault survivor still means to this day, and why the work to work make a better world is still necessary. Then Sarah H., Ali C., and Natalia T. have a discussion on why socialist and feminist organizing is the only tool we have against the patriarchal capitalist society we live in today.
Matt talks with Margo and Joel from Chicago's 48th Ward Neighbors for Justice to talk local organizing and the future of north side grassroots politics.
This week Matt speaks with Obed and Radhika from Chicago South Asians for Justice to speak about the South Asian diaspora, anti-caste activism, and how leftists can learn from this work. For more information on resources shared in the episode, check here: Resources mentioned in the episode: -Equality Labs' Caste in the United States survey https://www.equalitylabs.org/castesurvey -#RejectRaja: Campaign to expose Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi's ties to Hindutva organizations https://medium.com/@ChiSA4Justice/reject-raja-raja-krishnamoorthi-champions-fascists-not-communities-df156a745e6 -NYT Review: What Do America’s Racial Problems Have in Common With India and Nazi Germany? https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/04/books/review/caste-isabel-wilkerson.html -Periyar and the eradication of caste https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Periyar_E._V._Ramasamy_and_the_eradication_of_caste#cite_note-1 -The Hindu: Periyar's trust with socialism
This week, Matt talks with outgoing Metro-Atlanta DSA chair and co-host of the Not Safe For Wonks podcast, Brandyn B. They talk about national solidarity and the future of DSA at the local and national level.
Matt sits down with Robin P., co-chair of Chicago DSA about her recent article at MidwestSocialist.com (https://midwestsocialist.com/2020/08/28/were-comrades-not-coworkers/) about comradeship and taking care of each other in a socialist organization.
DSA International Committee member Tom Wojcik talks to Matt about the ways his politics help him navigate these challenging times and what we have to be hopeful about.
Matt checks in with his friend Frankee who is in Poland and gives us an update on what's happening there and in Belarus.
This week we have Sarah Hurd back on the show to talk organizing during COVID and her experiences from this past year.
This week @tapia288 sat down with @abid_ivy to talk about tenant union organizing in Chicago. Follow http://findmylandlord.chicagodsa.org to learn more!
This week Matt T. sat down with Kenzo Shibata (@KenzoShibata) host of Class Time Pod (@ClassTimePod) and on YouTube at Class Time with Kenzo Shibata.to discuss his path to leftism, the legacy of the leftist movement over the past 20 years, and how the DSA may move forward in the future. Kenzo's Link: https://twitter.com/KenzoShibata Class Time Pod Link: https://twitter.com/classtimepod
This week, Matt T. (@tapia288) spoke with Aaron T. (@posadist_trpgd) host of The Vanguard Army Podcast (@VanguardArmyPod). Episode produced by The Casual Comrade with help from Sarah H. Be sure to subscribe!
Illinois primary elections are March 17th, one week from tomorrow, and early voting is happening NOW! In this episode, our host Dave Byrnes sat down with Anthony Clark, a democratic socialist candidate running for the U.S. House of representatives in Illinois' 7th Congressional District. Anthony talks about his recent Sun-Times endorsement, his view of the potential power of electoral work in a broader socialist agenda, and how to use the language of shared struggle to push for change. You can check out Anthony's campaign and sign up to volunteer or donate here: https://www.voteanthonyclark.com/ You can follow Anthony on social media at @anthonyvclark20 You can get involved with DSA's #BERNIE2020 campaign here: https://bernie.dsausa.org/ If you live in Chicago, you can look up an early voting location here: https://chicagoelections.gov/en/early-voting.html Or look up your registration information and election day polling place here: https://chicagoelections.gov/en/your-voter-information.html This episode of the Midwest Socialist Podcast was recorded at the CDSA offices on Thursday, February 20th, 2020.
Socialism is often framed as a foreign ideology, but the United States has its own history of socialist movements. Sarah Hurd, host of the Midwest Socialist Podcast, talks to two authors about their explorations of socialism and American identity. Paul Buhle guides us through the graphic novel he wrote about the life of Midwestern socialist politician Eugene Debs, and what we have to learn from those days. And Victor Grossman will share the experiences he included in the memoir he wrote about his time as a McCarthy-era exile living in communist East Germany.
Chicago DSA has launched its chapter campaign to Democratize ComEd, Chicago's investor-owned "public" power distribution utility. In this episode, Sarah sat down with two Chicago DSA organizers, Sean Estelle and Sveta Stoytcheva, as well as Timothy Denherder-Thomas from Cooperative Energy Futures. We discussed what it means to be a 'Public Utility' versus a Publicly-Owned Utility, the legal process of democratization, and the history and challenges of Minneapolis's fight to take back its grid.
The images of kids in cages shocked people across the country, but many Chicagoans don't realize that there are child detention facilities in their own backyard. We talked to CDSA organizers Dan and Sarah about their efforts to shame local non-profit Heartland Alliance into closing its facilities and re-uniting the children there with their families. For more information check out: FreeHeartlandKids.com #FreeHeartlandKids freeheartlandkids@gmail.com And to sign up to demonstrate in their week of action visit Bit.ly/FreeHeartlandKids. Organizers will be downtown demonstrating outside the Heartland Alliance headquarters at 208 S. LaSalle, Monday through Friday from 11am-1pm, and on Friday 4:30-6:30pm as well. At 2pm on Saturday there will be an action at the Rogers Park detention center at 1628 W. Morse led by Little Village Solidarity Network
You may have heard the news by now. Chicagoans just elected 6 members of Democratic Socialist of America to their City Council. I sat down with four Chicago DSA organizers who worked on the campaigns of some of our recently elected aldermen. Rebecca and Caitlin worked on the Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez campaign in the 33rd ward. Lillian served as field director for the one socialist incumbent who ran, Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35th Ward) and Robin was the field director for Jeanette Taylor in Chicago’s 20th Ward. We discussed what worked, what didn't and what it means to have DSA members in elected office.
Within the global movement of working people pushing back against the forces of austerity and neoliberalism, Chicago is an important battle ground. It has become the poster child for corrupt politics and gun violence but also boasts powerful histories of union power and community organizing. The 2019 municipal election presents residents with a choice between the machine candidates of their past and a selection of new comers emerging from grassroots progressive movements. We spoke to In These Times contributor Miles Kampf-Lassin about the effect that the rise of left social movements has had on the election and what people outside the windy city can learn from from these campaigns. His article for In These Times can be read here: http://inthesetimes.com/features/chicago_mayor_aldermanic_elections_political_revolution_social_movements.html
At our Midwest Socialist Live Aldermanic Candidate Forum we talked to 40th Ward aldermanic candidate Ugo Okere about his background in social work, the role of alderman as “organizer and chief” of the ward, and his work to make people on the far north side care about the struggles of those on the south and west sides of Chicago.
At our Midwest Socialist Live Aldermanic Candidate Forum we talked to 33rd Ward aldermanic candidate Rossana Rodriguez about canvassing until her feet go numb, comparisons to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, her own displacement from her home and how we create real public safety in our communities.
At our Midwest Socialist Live Aldermanic Candidate Forum we talked to 35th Ward Alderman Carlos Rosa about being a local left celebrity, the War on Christmas and his endorsement of Toni Preckwinkle for Mayor of Chicago.
At our Midwest Socialist Live Aldermanic Candidate Forum we talked to 25th Ward aldermanic candidate Byron Sigcho-Lopez about the current alderman’s misdeeds, why we need more activists in city hall and the similarities he has seen between working class people in Chicago and those in his native Ecuador.
In the state of Illinois, it is illegal to institute rent control but recently Chicago voters have repeatedly expressed their support for lifting that ban. On this week’s episode of the podcast we spoke to Simone, a landlord and lifelong Chicagoan, who supports lifting the ban. We also talked to Heather McClaren about Chicago DSA’s work as a member of the Lift the Ban Coalition. We touch on the history of powerful real estate interests in Chicago, recent trends in gentrification, how the coalition hopes to move forward and the arguments that are often made against rent control. The “Lift the Ban” coalition is led by the Kenwood Oakland Community Organization, Lugenia Burns Hope Center, Northside Action for Justice, and Pilsen Alliance. Current membership includes: Action Now Institute, American Indian Center, Autonomous Tenants Union, Chicago Democratic Socialists of America, Coalition for Equitable Community Development, The Community Law Project, Lawyers Committee for Better Housing, Little Village Community Development Corporation, Metropolitan Tenants Organization, Northwest Side Housing Center, ONE Northside, People for Community Recovery, SEIU HCII, Somos Logan Square, 33rdWard IPO, 25th Ward IPO, United Working Families, and Westside Health Authority.
Abortion can feel like a taboo topic, but it's one we can't avoid discussing. On this episode we spoke to Chicago activists Laura and Lena about the history of reproductive rights in America and challenged them to respond to some of the most common anti- abortion talking points. We also talk about the January 13th March for Life and the counter-protest put on by the following groups: Chicago DSA ISO Chicago Refuse Fascism Illinois Single Payer Coalition Chicago Campaign to Expose Crisis Pregnancy Centers DePaul Socialists Illinois Choice Action Team Unite Women IL Chicago Therapy Collective
Sarah sits down with candidate for Municipal Water Reclamation District board seat candidate, and her celebrity crush, Geoffrey Cubbage. He tells her all about why you should care about our sewers and why you should stop being so mean to the Green party. They also discuss hot topics like: The great river reversal of 1900 How a sewage treatment plant works The sketchy dealings that almost kept this seat from getting to a vote Why Geoff is taking back the term “sewer socialist” For more information on the Greens for MWRD campaign visit: https://www.mwrd-ilgp.org/ And make sure to vote on November 6th!
Sarah spoke to Lynn Meissner, a PhD student at Northwestern's school of Education and Social Policy. Their research focuses on high schooler's transition to college and how to apply sociological data to school systems. She discusses issues facing the Chicago school system and the individual students and teachers within it. She also shares what she has found to be the best solutions for improving the experiences of those teachers and students (hint hint its SOCIALISM).
Sarah Hurd talks to Marianela D'Aprile about a translation she did of a speech by Chile's first Marxist President, Salvadore Allende. They discuss the historic election of Allende in 1970, his violent overthrow by CIA backed forces in 1973 and the lessons we can take from Chile's three-year experiment with socialism. Marianela's translation can be viewed here: https://socialistcall.com/2018/09/11/allende-and-democratic-socialism/
Sarah spoke to Jose Requena and Loreen Targos of Pilsen Alliance about what gentrification is and what their organization is doing to push it back. We discuss the Illinois ban on rent control, affordable housing and what needs to shift in politics to make Chicago a city where people can thrive.
Sarah sits down with three leaders of Chicago's blossoming cooperative economy: Renee Hatcher - Director of the Business Enterprise Law Clinic at John Marshall Law School, Mike Strode of the Kola Nut Collaborative and Termaine Davis of Together Systems. What steps are people in Chicago are taking toward creating a solidarity economy? What is a solidarity economy? Also, neoliberalism, de-growth, the problem with TIF (Tax Incremement Financing) funds and Sarah debuts her plan to convince Jeff Bezos to turn Amazon into the world's largest co-op.
This week marked the 50th anniversary of the protests at the 1968 Democratic National convention in Chicago. Jacobin editor Micah Uetricht interviewed longtime leftist activist Joanna Misnik about her experience organizing in 1968 and in the years the followed. Misnik describes working alongside Allen Ginsberg, Abbie Hoffman and others, and tells us what she learned from their victories and defeats.
Sarah and André talk to Chicago DSA Political Education coordinator Ramsin Canon and co-host of the "Season of the Bitch" podcast Ambria Taylor about what Marxism means in our modern time. We define/talk about what terms like "alienation" and "materialism" really mean and walk through a timeline of how capitalism developed. We also talk about how Marxist theory can inform real world organizing.
On this episode of the Midwest Socialist Podcast Akele and Sarah talk to Black Lives Matter activist Maria Hernandez and Dorothy Holmes, whose son Ronald "Ronnieman" Johnson was killed by a Chicago police officer. We discuss the Justice for Ronnieman campaign, the NoCopAcademy campaign and other Black Lives Matter efforts across the city. --- To support the First Annual RonnieMan Back to School Supply Drive, donate school supplies to the following drop off locations: 1. Southside Together Organizing for Power - STOP. 602 E 61st St, Chicago, IL 60637 Monday through Friday, 10 AM - 5 PM 2. American Friends Service Committee--Chicago 637 S. Dearborn 3rd Floor Monday through Friday, 10 AM - 5 PM 3. Women & Children First Bookstore 5233 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640 Saturday 10AM–7PM; Sunday 11AM–6PM; Mon-Tues 11AM–7PM; Wed-Fri 11AM–9PM 4. Healing Village: Healing as a Radical Act of Resistance 63rd & Woodlawn You can also contribute by purchasing items from the Amazon wish-list:http://bit.ly/RonnieMan The drive will culminate in a Back-to-School party in Washington Park, AKA RonnieMan Park, on 53rd & King Drive on August 26th.
Aaron Leonard, co-author of "A Threat of the First Magnitude," spoke to Midwest Socialist about FBI infiltration of leftist organizations. Sarah also talks about a wildcat strike in Indiana and Rahm's latest half-hearted gesture toward police accountability. Leonard's books are available through Repeater Books: https://repeaterbooks.com/product/a-threat-of-the-first-magnitude-fbi-counterintelligence-infiltration-from-the-communist-party-to-the-revolutionary-union-1962-1974/
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