Millennials Are Killing Capitalism

Eric Mann’s Radical Journey through the Long 1960s (Part 2)

Jun 30, 2025
Eric Mann, a veteran civil rights organizer and co-director of the Labor/Community Strategy Center, shares his journey through the transformative 1960s. He discusses his key role in the Columbia University student strike and his experiences as a political prisoner, shedding light on the carceral system and activism's emotional toll. Mann highlights the necessity of building a black-led united front against imperialism and reflects on George Jackson's legacy while advocating for empowerment in urban communities. His insights underline the importance of strategic alliances in the fight for social justice.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
ANECDOTE

1968 Columbia Strike Leadership

  • Eric Mann played a leadership role in the 1968 Columbia University student strike alongside SDS and the Black Student Union.
  • They successfully demanded the university shut down its Institute for Defense Analysis, symbolizing a fight against imperialism.
INSIGHT

Harlem Gym as a Symbol

  • The struggle at Columbia was a Black-led movement with Harlem and Black students central to the success.
  • The gym in Harlem was called "Jim Crow" and became a symbol of community resistance against racism and university imperialism.
ADVICE

Support Frontline Activists

  • Support those who actively put their bodies on the line in movements.
  • Do not allow moderates or latecomers to undermine the struggle or its key demands.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app