Charisse Burden-Stelly

Economic experts and historians discuss the origins of capitalism, from colonial conquest to the privatization of land in Europe. Topics include the Atlantic Slave Trade, racial capitalism, and peasant uprisings against forced land separation.

In this episode, Dr. CBS discusses her book 'Black Scare/Red Scare', exploring the interconnectedness of anti-radical repression and anti-Black racial oppression. They examine the impact of the Red Scare on black activism, the emergence of black internationalism, and the hypocrisy of state perception towards black internationalism. The speakers also delve into the connection between war, imperialism, and racial oppression, as well as the concept of true Americanism and its association with Black identity extremism.

Charisse Burden-Stelly discusses the history and pervasive nature of the Red Scare and Black Scare in the U.S., exploring their impact on policies, collective consciousness, and social movements. The podcast highlights examples of anti-black and anti-communist governance, challenges faced by black radicals, and the dangerous nature of combining race and class consciousness. It also examines the presence of these scares in modern times and the importance of joining organized movements for effective engagement in the class war.

Charisse Burden-Stelly, an Associate Professor and organizer with the Black Alliance for Peace, and Jodi Dean, a Political Science Professor and acclaimed author, dive into their co-edited collection showcasing the writings of Black Communist women. They discuss how these powerful voices from 1919-1956 argue that true racial and economic equality demands the overthrow of capitalism. The conversation also touches on the unique struggles faced by Black women in activism and the transformative potential of their insights for contemporary movements.

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.

Charisse Burden-Stelly, Associate Professor of African American Studies and organizer with Black Alliance for Peace, discusses anti-communism in the U.S., how anti-Blackness and Red Scares interlock, and the politics of producing and popularizing radical knowledge. She outlines her This Is America project, names key intellectual influences, and reflects on courage, academic risks, and movement-building.

Guests: Charisse Burden-Stelly, Kate Rigby, Enrique Salmón, David Pecusa. Explore the impact of the Crusades on the climate crisis and the concept of holy war. Discuss the origins of racial capitalism and the construction of racial hierarchies. Challenge assumptions about European dominance and the ethical dimension of conquest. Emphasize the interconnectedness and value of the natural world.

Charisse Burden-Stelly, a Wayne State scholar of political theory and the Black radical tradition, discusses how capitalism and anti-Blackness intertwine with anti-communism in U.S. state repression. They trace this history from settler colonialism and Wall Street imperialism to today’s counter-subversive labels, then turn to organizing, solidarity, and revolutionary examples including Walter Rodney and George Jackson.

Charisse Burden-Stelly, associate professor and author of Black Scare/Red Scare, connects anti-Black racism and anticommunism. She unpacks the US State Department’s Cuba report and NSPM-7. Short takes cover why Cuba is targeted now, the report’s rhetoric linking foreign and domestic enemies, and how cultural exchange is miscast as subversion.

Charisse Burden-Stelly, Associate Professor of African American Studies and author of Black Scare, Red Scare, discusses the new State Department ‘Red-Scare’ report and whom it names. Conversations cover how the memo frames Cuba and leftist groups, establishment Democrats distancing from the left, media attacks and the risks of moderation, and historical lessons on anti-communist repression.