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Walter Rodney, Marxism, and Underdevelopment with D. Musa Springer & Charisse Burden-Stelly

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Jul 30, 2024
D. Musa Springer, a Pan-African Marxist scholar, and Charisse Burden-Stelly, an expert on underdevelopment, dive deep into Walter Rodney's powerful legacy. They discuss how Rodney's theories on global capitalism and education remain relevant today. His critiques of colonialism and imperialism are explored, showcasing their impact on current struggles for liberation. The conversation highlights the need for integrating African perspectives within Marxist theory to address ongoing socio-economic inequalities.
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INSIGHT

Rodney's Life and Activism

  • Walter Rodney was a Pan-African Marxist born in Guyana who combined activism with scholarship throughout his life.
  • His life story and work show how academia and political organizing can be united for liberation.
INSIGHT

Guerrilla Intellectual Role

  • Rodney emphasized academics as enemies of the people until proven otherwise and pushed for knowledge to be accessible and radical.
  • He introduced the concept of the "guerrilla intellectual," using academia as a tool of liberation, not separate from activism.
INSIGHT

Colonial Education Subverted

  • Rodney showed colonial education systems aimed to control and limit Africans' education but were subverted by Africans demanding more than allowed.
  • This contradiction helped accelerate political independence movements across Africa, highlighting education's role in liberation.
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