Millennials Are Killing Capitalism

“Bobby Sands Got More Votes Than Margaret Thatcher Ever Did” C. Crowle on Attack International’s Spirit of Freedom: Anticolonial War & Uneasy Peace in Ireland

Nov 25, 2024

In this engaging discussion, C. Crowle, a contributor to the newly expanded edition of 'The Spirit of Freedom,' examines Ireland's national liberation struggle through a radical lens. They delve into significant historical events, including the revitalization of the armed movement in the 1960s and Bobby Sands' hunger strikes. Crowle critiques the failures of anti-imperialist solidarity efforts in Britain while drawing parallels with contemporary struggles like Palestine. The conversation invites critical reflection on identity, conflict, and global colonialism.

02:07:44

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C. Crowle

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Quick takeaways

The podcast emphasizes the importance of understanding and supporting anti-colonial struggles from the perspective of those in imperial centers.

It highlights the significance of the Irish prisoner hunger strikes in transforming the Republican movement's political influence and appeal.

The discussion critiques the British left's failures in establishing effective anti-imperialist solidarity, drawing parallels with contemporary struggles in Palestine.

It explores the role of cultural expressions in sustaining revolutionary movements, showcasing modern Irish resistance through art and identity.

Deep dives

The Spirit of Freedom and Anti-Colonial Insights

The discussion revolves around the text 'The Spirit of Freedom' by Attack International, which offers a powerful critique of colonialism in the Irish context. It addresses the need for solidarity from those in the imperial center with those suffering under colonial oppression, urging a deeper understanding of the Irish liberation struggle. The text highlights significant events, such as the revitalization of Irish arms movements in the 1960s, the hunger strikes by prisoners, and the diverse strands of nationalism and unionism in Ireland. This analysis serves as a call to critically engage with historical struggles, encouraging present and future movements to avoid simplistic binaries and foster genuine anti-colonial alliances.

Intro

5min

Exploring Anti-Colonial Perspectives in Ireland

4min

The Roots of Conflict: Ireland's Political Landscape in 1989

24min

The Irish Troubles: A Historical Overview

24min

Connections and Conflicts in Irish Republicanism

24min

Navigating Ideologies: Anti-Imperialism and Nationalism

24min

Resistance and Conflict: The Oka Crisis and Indigenous Struggles

1min

The Complexity of Co-optation and Identity in Repressive Systems

4min

Northern Ireland: Post-Brexit Unity and Conflict

9min

10.

Reflecting on Settler Colonialism and Radical Discourse

4min

11.

Concluding Reflections on Palestinian Freedom

5min

In this interview we talk to C. Crowle about the recently republished and expanded edition of Attack International’s text The Spirit of Freedom: Anticolonial War & Uneasy Peace in Ireland. The new edition includes the original unabridged 1989 text by Attack International and some great supplementary material compiled by Crowle.

The book is a concise and powerful text on the national liberation struggle in Ireland from the perspective of radicals in the UK. It’s a text that challenges us to think critically about how people in an imperial center practice solidarity with the masses under the yoke of colonialism.

We discuss different facets of the Irish context, including the revitalization of the armed movement in Ireland in the 1960’s, the prisoner hunger strikes, and some of the different strands of Irish Nationalism and Ulster Unionism. We also talk about Attack International’s critical analysis of the shortcomings, and problems with the anti-imperialist solidarity movement in Great Britain during the period of Irish armed struggle.

This episode was recorded back on November 7th 2023 so while we discuss western liberalism, media and the western left with regards to Palestine, many of the questions we raised but didn’t fully flesh out are topics we’ve covered more deeply since then.

Having said that, one cannot help but ponder the resonances between the failures of the British left in supporting Irish liberation to the failures of the western left to materially impact the genocide on Palestinians & to support the Palestinian liberation struggle.

We close by talking about the very real prospects for a United Ireland, what that might mean, and some of Crowle assessments of Irish Republicanism today.

Kersplebedeb published this book, and their online bookstore is leftwingbooks.net. They are based in Canada, and are having a sale of 25% off during the Canada Post strike, because shipments will be delayed (solidarity to the striking postal workers). I highly encourage people to check out their catalogue, and in addition to The Spirit of Freedom, I will include some books I love from them in the show description.

We have a current discount for new patrons, you can get 20% off your first month if you sign up for a monthly membership, or off your first year if you sign up for a yearly membership by using the code A7E32 when you sign up on patreon.com/millennialsarekillingcapitalism. You also can now give a membership to our patreon as a gift if you know someone who would enjoy that this holiday season. We’ll include a link for that in the show description as well

Our George Jackson Blood In My Eye study group will be available for patrons who support the show at any level. We are going to meet to discuss the book weekly on Thursday nights at 7:30 PM Eastern Time starting December 12th. Comrades from the George Jackson Organizing School will also join us for these discussions.

Links:

The Spirit of Freedom: Anticolonial War & Uneasy Peace in Ireland

Leftwingbooks.net

Give the gift of a patreon subscription

Use promo code A7E32 to get 20% off the first month (if you sign up for a monthly subscription) or year (if you sign up for yearly) at https://www.patreon.com/millennialsarekillingcapitalism

Other conversations we've had on Ireland:

Ireland, Colonialism and the Unfinished Revolution with Robbie McVeigh and Bill Rolston (Jared also references this book multiple times in the conversation)

The Lost & Early Writings of James Connolly 1889-1898 with Conor McCabe

Irish Women's Prison Writing: Mother Ireland's Rebels, 1960's-2010's with Red Washburn

Books Casey references:

Three Way Fight Book

Confronting Fascism - Discussion Documents for a Militant Movement -

A few book recommendations from Leftwingbooks/Kersplebedeb (there are many more, but these are just a few we love):

On Necrocapitalism

Riding the Wave - Torkil Lauesen

A Soldier's Story - Kuwasi Balagoon

Lumpen: The Autobiography of Ed Mead Stand Up, Struggle Forward - Sanyika Shakur