More on the politics of labor, corporate power, and municipal power structures -- from Chicago--
UNITE HERE Considers Itself Progressive. So Why Is the Union Standing with Rahm Emanuel? - Working In These Times
Friday, February 27, 2015
Thursday, February 26, 2015
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
The Making of Ferguson: Public Policies at the Root of its Troubles | Economic Policy Institute
The Making of Ferguson: Public Policies at the Root of its Troubles | Economic Policy Institute
Best synthesis of St. Louis' history of segregation, capital flight, and the root causes of racial inequality.
Best synthesis of St. Louis' history of segregation, capital flight, and the root causes of racial inequality.
Saturday, February 21, 2015
Tomgram: Engelhardt, Walking Back the American Twenty-First Century? | TomDispatch
One more reason why civilian review boards are a core issue for the future of American democracy.
Tomgram: Engelhardt, Walking Back the American Twenty-First Century? | TomDispatch
Tomgram: Engelhardt, Walking Back the American Twenty-First Century? | TomDispatch
In Whose America?
Machine Guns, MRAPs, Surveillance, Drones, Permanent War, and a Permanent Election Campaign
By Tom Engelhardt
Machine Guns, MRAPs, Surveillance, Drones, Permanent War, and a Permanent Election Campaign
By Tom Engelhardt
I never fail to be amazed -- and that’s undoubtedly my failing. I mean, if you retain a capacity for wonder you can still be awed by a sunset, but should you really be shocked that the sun is once again sinking in the west? Maybe not.
The occasion for such reflections: machine guns in my hometown. To be specific, several weeks ago, New York Police Commissioner William J. Bratton announced the formation of a new 350-officer Special Response Group (SRG). Keep in mind that New York City already has a police force of more than 34,000 -- bigger, that is, than the active militaries of Austria, Bulgaria, Chad, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Kenya, Laos, Switzerland, or Zimbabwe -- as well as its own “navy,” including six submersible drones. Just another drop in an ocean of blue, the SRG will nonetheless be a squad for our times, trained in what Bratton referred to as “advanced disorder control and counterterror.” It will also, he announced, be equipped with“extra heavy protective gear, with the long rifles and machine guns -- unfortunately sometimes necessary in these instances.” And here’s where he created a little controversy in my hometown. The squad would, Bratton added, be “designed for dealing with events like our recent protests or incidents like Mumbai or what just happened in Paris.”
Now, that was an embarrassment in liberal New York. By mixing the recent demonstrationsover the police killings of Michael Brown, Eric Garner, and others into the same sentence with the assault on Mumbai and the Charlie Hebdo affair in France, he seemed to be equating civil protest in the Big Apple with acts of terrorism. Perhaps you won’t be surprised then that the very next day the police department started walking back the idea that the unit would be toting its machine guns not just to possible terror incidents but to local protests. A day later, Bratton himself walked his comments back even further. (“I may have in my remarks or in your interpretation of my remarks confused you or confused the issue.”) Now, it seems there will be two separate units, the SRG for counterterror patrols and a different, assumedly machine-gun-less crew for protests. READ MORE HERE
BlackHomesMatter: Screening of "The Hill" -- about eminent domain abuse, gentrification, etc. Tomorrow 2-5 PM at 14th St Community Gallery
This event is put on by the Ferguson Action Council.
**Sunday, Feb 22, 2-5PM - Black Homes Matter: Movie Screening of "The Hill" (on New Haven, CT and gentrification) and Community Discussion to discuss eminent domain, Paul McKee and Pruitt-Igoe, 14th Street Community Gallery (2607 N 14th St., St. Louis MO)**
Movie Trailer: At one point in the trailer, one of the lawyers references the role of Yale University, which he says wants a "sanitized corridor" around the med school. The movie is incredibly relevant to us, especially given the role of Wash U in gentrifying the area around the med school.
-submitted by a student
Pussy Riot: I Can't Breathe
From the Youtube description:
"Published on Feb 18, 2015 Pussy Riot's first song in English is dedicated to Eric Garner and the words he repeated eleven times before his death. This song is for Eric and for all those from Russia to America and around the globe who suffer from state terror - killed, choked, perished because of war and state sponsored violence of all kinds - for political prisoners and those on the streets fighting for change. We stand in solidarity."
"Published on Feb 18, 2015 Pussy Riot's first song in English is dedicated to Eric Garner and the words he repeated eleven times before his death. This song is for Eric and for all those from Russia to America and around the globe who suffer from state terror - killed, choked, perished because of war and state sponsored violence of all kinds - for political prisoners and those on the streets fighting for change. We stand in solidarity."
Thursday, February 19, 2015
School District Transformation Meeting, today and Saturday
SLPS Superintendent Dr. Kelvin Adams will host a pair of public forums to gather input from community stakeholders. The first public forum will be held at Humboldt Academy of Higher Learning, 2516 S. 9th Street, on Thursday, February 19 at 7pm. A second public forum will take place at Vashon High School, 3035 Cass Avenue, on Saturday, February 21 at 9am.
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
What Movements Achieve and Generate, Even after the media goes home: ‘We Must Love Each Other:’ Lessons in Struggle and Justice from Chicago
Prison Culture » ‘We Must Love Each Other:’ Lessons in Struggle and Justice from Chicago
The national protests catalyzed by the killing of Mike Brown in Ferguson last August continue even as many (including the mainstream media) have moved on. Some critics have suggested that the uprisings/rebellions are leaderless, lack concrete demands and/or are without clear strategy. Each of these critiques is easily refuted so I won’t concern myself with them here.
In Chicago, many have used the energy and opening created by these ongoing protests to re-animate existing long-term anti-police violence campaigns. On Saturday afternoon, hundreds of people gathered at the Chicago Temple to show our love for police torture survivors on the day after Jon Burge was released from house arrest.
Ferguson mayor reflects on impact of unrest — and the future of his city
Ferguson mayor reflects on impact of unrest — and the future of his city
Over the past six months, Ferguson Mayor James Knowles III found out what it was like to be transformed from . . .
Belmar confirms St. Louis County police wanted National Guard in Ferguson after grand jury decision
Belmar confirms St. Louis County police wanted National Guard in Ferguson after grand jury decision
A new report finds that St. Louis County Police Department officials were rebuffed when they asked to statio . . .
Knowledge sharing: The Right to a Living Wage, the life of fast-food workers, and the ShowME15 movement in St. Louis
Honored to have visitors from @Show_Me15 in our class @wustl this morning. Will be tweeting knowledge shared.
— SLSProject (@slsproject) February 17, 2015Learning about how $7.25 is a poverty wage at McDonald's (and everywhere). Can't afford to live on our own @Show_Me15
— Bret Gustafson (@bretgustafson) February 17, 2015If you 'call off' because child is sick, they punish you. Hard workers, on time, every day, this happens, they get rid of you @Show_Me15
— SLSProject (@slsproject) February 17, 2015To go from a union job to a fast food restaurant, it's terrible. No respect for workers. @Show_Me15
— SLSProject (@slsproject) February 17, 2015If you want us to get off of government support, pay us a living wage. @Show_Me15
— SLSProject (@slsproject) February 17, 2015Can't afford to raise on a family on minimum wage. We will win the fight in the end. @Show_Me15
— SLSProject (@slsproject) February 17, 2015I started saying "somebody needs to form a union". Then we heard about 'Fight for 15'. Now we're in it until it's over @Show_Me15
— SLSProject (@slsproject) February 17, 2015Twenty dollars only buys you a bag and a half of groceries. School supplies? Rent? Every check you get paid to pay out.
@Show_Me15
— SLSProject (@slsproject) February 17, 2015Take your daughter to the movies? Can't afford the time or the money. Working every day for nothing @Show_Me15
— SLSProject (@slsproject) February 17, 2015There is power in numbers. We couldn't talk before. Now it's in whispers. Getting louder and louder. @Show_Me15
— SLSProject (@slsproject) February 17, 2015The company intimidates you, try to make you stray from the course. They don't want you to organize. No days off. @Show_Me15
— SLSProject (@slsproject) February 17, 2015You have to stay focused. People will try to steer you off course. The thing is, it's 'big business.' @Show_Me15
— SLSProject (@slsproject) February 17, 2015I've seen both faces at McDonald's: The smiling (Ronald) face. And the back-room evil face. @Show_Me15
— SLSProject (@slsproject) February 17, 2015People need these jobs. Just want fairness. We are Robin Hood. Shake hands with the king, we are one with the peasants. @Show_Me15
— SLSProject (@slsproject) February 17, 2015Do you know how much it costs to make a Big Mac? 25 cents. That means you're making $$$ hand over fist. @Show_Me15
— SLSProject (@slsproject) February 17, 2015We're going to be there and we're going to come in numbers. We're going to shut you down. Quick. @Show_Me15
— SLSProject (@slsproject) February 17, 2015Not fair. We give blood, sweat, and tears every day, they fire us if we need to take care of our kids. @Show_Me15
— SLSProject (@slsproject) February 17, 2015This is a global movement of low-wage workers. @Show_Me15
— SLSProject (@slsproject) February 17, 2015Wage theft. Racial discrimination. Sexual harassment. Wonderful way to run a company. No benefits. Poverty wage @Show_Me15
— SLSProject (@slsproject) February 17, 2015When you come up to the drive-thru and you wonder why the person in the window has an attitude? That's why. @Show_Me15
— SLSProject (@slsproject) February 17, 2015Treat people well, they work well. Disrespect people with poverty wages = no respect. Treat people how you want to be treated @Show_Me15
— SLSProject (@slsproject) February 17, 2015In stores that are organized, managers know that they cannot mistreat workers. Moral economy at work? @Show_Me15
— SLSProject (@slsproject) February 17, 2015Solidarity on April 15 counts. Students back up workers. Be brave, they are risking poverty wage jobs. What are you risking? @Show_Me15
— SLSProject (@slsproject) February 17, 2015Can't talk about economic justice without talking about racial justice. @Show_Me15 #Ferguson
— SLSProject (@slsproject) February 17, 2015Can't afford to do anything on this wage. Go in circles. Stuck in a rut. @Show_Me15
— SLSProject (@slsproject) February 17, 2015Even if business owners are African American like us, they act like business people. They treat us like we are Third World. @Show_Me15
— SLSProject (@slsproject) February 17, 2015The only way they'll change is if we form a union and stay knelt down with them. They are very sneaky. @Show_Me15
— SLSProject (@slsproject) February 17, 2015It's pretty simple. The are cheap. They are penny pinching when they make all this money. It's not fair. @Show_Me15
— SLSProject (@slsproject) February 17, 2015You need time off. A personal day to defunk yourself from the business. Take a personal day in this job? They'll fire you. @Show_Me15
— SLSProject (@slsproject) February 17, 2015There's no middle-class any more. Just poor and rich. We just want a modest living. @Show_Me15
— SLSProject (@slsproject) February 17, 2015They say why are you going to pay a union dues? So we know that somebody has our back. @Show_Me15
— SLSProject (@slsproject) February 17, 2015Language of low-wage labor: Write you up. Don't call off. No personal days. Daily disciplinary routines. @Show_Me15
— SLSProject (@slsproject) February 17, 2015They want to keep using you until you're all used up. @Show_Me15
— SLSProject (@slsproject) February 17, 2015Look at the bigger picture. They are trying to hide things from you. @Show_Me15
— SLSProject (@slsproject) February 17, 2015When @Show_Me15 first started off. They told us: Don't let them talk to the workers. Made a rule: employees couldn't sit in lobby on break.
— SLSProject (@slsproject) February 17, 2015Like a dictatorship. No democracy. They wanted to dictate your break. They want to keep you in the dark. Until you organize. @Show_Me15
— SLSProject (@slsproject) February 17, 2015This. @Show_Me15 pic.twitter.com/8db8dQZXyY
— SLSProject (@slsproject) February 17, 2015They try to hide everything from you. Want to keep you in the stall, away from the public. Want to keep you away from the truth @Show_Me15
— SLSProject (@slsproject) February 17, 2015This is not a game. Deep emotions in this struggle. Our families' lives on the line. On the side of what is right against greed @Show_Me15
— SLSProject (@slsproject) February 17, 2015These workers are brave, risking everything for a chance at a better life. @Show_Me15
— SLSProject (@slsproject) February 17, 2015Alum of @wustl testimony: Why I am involved? I see people fighting for poverty wage job. Why am I not doing anything? @Show_Me15
— SLSProject (@slsproject) February 17, 2015We don't have a racial thing going on. We all want the same thing. @Show_Me15
— SLSProject (@slsproject) February 17, 2015"I've seen racism. I chose not to spread the hate. I try to see where they are coming from. Once we do, we see we are the same"@Show_Me15
— SLSProject (@slsproject) February 17, 2015Thursday, February 12, 2015
STL’s white refugee syndrome - St. Louis American: Jaco
STL’s white refugee syndrome - St. Louis American: Jaco: Caucasian St. Louisans are to white flight as Kenyan runners are to the Boston Marathon. Volumes have been written about the ability of white …
Why Don’t Americans Know What Really Happened in Vietnam? | The Nation
Why Don’t Americans Know What Really Happened in Vietnam? | The Nation
The past folds into the present. War, structural racism, docile population?
The past folds into the present. War, structural racism, docile population?
Monday, February 9, 2015
How Radical Change Occurs: An Interview With Historian Eric Foner
How Radical Change Occurs: An Interview With Historian Eric Foner
“Rights can be won, and rights can be taken away. Achievements are always vulnerable.”
“Rights can be won, and rights can be taken away. Achievements are always vulnerable.”
Thursday, February 5, 2015
Code Pink: sustained anti-war movement, takes actions to Congress, calls out Henry Kissinger: Will the Real ‘Low-Life Scum’ Please Stand Up?
Will the Real ‘Low-Life Scum’ Please Stand Up? (Medea Benjamin)
Posted – September 11, 2013
Background, for those who don't remember:
KISSINGER AND CHILE: THE DECLASSIFIED RECORD From: National Security Archive
Kissinger pressed Nixon to overthrow the democratically elected Allende government because his "'model' effect can be insidious," documents show
On 40th anniversary of coup, Archive posts top ten documents on Kissinger's role in undermining democracy, supporting military dictatorship in Chile
Kissinger overruled aides on military regime's human rights atrocities; told Pinochet in 1976: "We want to help, not undermine you. You did a great service to the West in overthrowing Allende."
National Security Archive Electronic Briefing Book No. 437
Posted – September 11, 2013
Edited by Peter Kornbluh
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
Anthropology needs a movement against itself: the problem of the discipline as a "white public space"
Anthropology: It's still white public space. Interview with Karen Brodkin (via Savage Minds)
Part I: http://savageminds.org/2014/11/15/anthropology-still-white-public-space-brodkin/
Part II: http://savageminds.org/2014/12/04/anthropology-its-still-white-public-space-an-interview-with-karen-brodkin-part-ii/
See also: Brodkin, Karen; Sandra Morgen, and Janis Hutchison. 2011. Anthropology as White Public Space? American Anthropologist 113(4):545-556.
Part I: http://savageminds.org/2014/11/15/anthropology-still-white-public-space-brodkin/
Part II: http://savageminds.org/2014/12/04/anthropology-its-still-white-public-space-an-interview-with-karen-brodkin-part-ii/
See also: Brodkin, Karen; Sandra Morgen, and Janis Hutchison. 2011. Anthropology as White Public Space? American Anthropologist 113(4):545-556.
Advocacy Group Proposes Municipal Court Reforms. How Do They Compare?
Advocacy Group Proposes Municipal Court Reforms. How Do They Compare?
"These are not courts as we know them," said MORE's executive director Jeff Ordower. "These are predatory collection agencies on the backs of people of color, and on the backs of the poorest people in the county. And that is why we need to transform and abolish the racist municipal court system in St. Louis County."
"These are not courts as we know them," said MORE's executive director Jeff Ordower. "These are predatory collection agencies on the backs of people of color, and on the backs of the poorest people in the county. And that is why we need to transform and abolish the racist municipal court system in St. Louis County."
Thinking about the political status of the "riot"
Hobsbawm, Eric. 2005. Cities and Insurrections
Hobsbawm, Eric. 2011. Review of Rudé, The Crowd in History
Lessons from Oakland: racism, acquittals, non-profits, absorption
George Cicciarello-Maher. 2010. Chronicle of a Riot Foretold » CounterPunch: Tells the Facts, Names the Names
Thompson, EP. 1971. The Moral Economy of the English Crowd
Hobsbawm, Eric. 2011. Review of Rudé, The Crowd in History
Lessons from Oakland: racism, acquittals, non-profits, absorption
George Cicciarello-Maher. 2010. Chronicle of a Riot Foretold » CounterPunch: Tells the Facts, Names the Names
Thompson, EP. 1971. The Moral Economy of the English Crowd
Monday, February 2, 2015
Howard Dean Targets Rahm Emanuel
Howard Dean Targets Rahm Emanuel
On the conservative democrats allied with big corporations to transform American cities. Relevant to St. Louis.
On the conservative democrats allied with big corporations to transform American cities. Relevant to St. Louis.
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