Jacobin Radio Behind the News: Trump’s Dubious Gaza Scheme w/ Mouin Rabbani
Oct 6, 2025
In this engaging discussion, art crime expert Erin Thompson critiques the political implications of public monuments, especially in light of Trump's move to restore Confederate statues. Middle East analyst Mouin Rabbani unpacks Trump’s controversial Gaza plan, revealing its lack of political solution for Palestinians and the troubling influence from figures like Jared Kushner and Tony Blair. Lastly, journalism professor Ted Hamm shines a light on Zoran Mamdani’s progressive mayoral campaign, emphasizing his proposals for rent freezes and community safety reforms.
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Monuments Signal Present Power
- Monuments are proxies for current power struggles, not neutral history markers.
- Erin Thompson argues that Confederate monuments served to cement white supremacy when erected.
Arlington Monument's Racist Imagery
- The Arlington Confederate monument included enslaved figures supporting Confederates in a "faithful slave" myth.
- Thompson recounts its 1910s origin and controversy over its racist imagery and placement.
Confederate Monuments As Victory Symbols
- Most Confederate monuments were erected during Jim Crow, serving as victory monuments for white supremacists.
- Thompson links their timing to enforcing racial hierarchy rather than mourning the dead.
