The Chris Hedges Report

In this engaging discussion, Jason Stanley, a Yale professor and author, dives deep into the concept of fascism, exploring its implications for democracy and education. He argues that attacks on critical race theory and historical narratives reflect a dangerous trend aimed at creating a sanitized version of the past. Stanley highlights how fascist regimes psychologically manipulate the populace, reinforcing the importance of academic freedom and resistance against authoritarianism. His insights challenge us to critically examine the erosion of democratic values in contemporary society.

Mahmoud Khalil’s arrest and detention in a Louisiana ICE facility is a harbinger for a new authoritarian era of the United States. Khalil’s arrest, the capitulation of Columbia University against dissent and protest by its own students and the Trump administration’s threat of stripping the university of $400 million in grants if it does not meet its requests is just one place where the tentacles of fascism tighten their grip. Katherine Franke, a former law school professor at Columbia, is on the front lines of this assault. Her support for student protests and her condemnation of the university for not addressing the harassment of pro-Palestinian students has earned what she called, “a termination dressed up in more palatable terms.” Franke joins host Chris Hedges on this episode of The Chris Hedges Report to address the Constitutional crisis that faces the US, how it has manifested itself on university campuses and what are the next steps in challenging it. “They're using immigration laws now to come after protesters or people who are voicing views that are critical of the Trump administration who are not US citizens. They'll come next for us, the US citizens, with the criminal law,” Franke warns. As for universities and Columbia specifically, Franke points to the shift in institutional integrity within schools. Hedge fund managers, venture capitalists and corporate lawyers now run these institutions and their goals aren’t to maintain the principles of education and democracy, but rather the financial bottom line. Franke says Columbia “is humiliating itself in this process of negotiation with a bully that will not end because it's that repeated proof of ‘I have all the power and you have none.’ That is what governance looks like at this point. There's no principle at stake here. It's about an abusive exercise of power accompanied by humiliation.”

Mohammed el-Kurd, a Palestinian writer and poet known for his incisive work with The Nation, sheds light on the complex narratives surrounding Palestinian identity. He discusses how Palestinians are often required to curate their stories for Western audiences, sacrificing crucial truths in the process. The conversation dives into the psychological toll on children caught in conflict, the harms of dehumanization, and critiques the notion of the 'perfect victim' imposed by media. El-Kurd's insights reveal the urgent need for a reevaluation of victimhood and resistance in the context of ongoing oppression.

Ralph Nader, a former presidential candidate and fierce consumer advocate, joins to discuss the alarming state of democracy in America. He highlights how corporate power is eroding civic engagement and critiques media's role in stifling grassroots movements. Nader emphasizes the urgency of recognizing our political decay, despite media neglect and suppression. He reflects on past successes in consumer protection and urges listeners to mobilize, reclaiming the power that belongs to the citizens amid rising authoritarian tendencies.

Pankaj Mishra, an acclaimed essayist and novelist, joins Chris Hedges to discuss his book, "The World After Gaza." Mishra argues that the Holocaust's impact is perceived differently globally, particularly in the Global South, which has its own narratives of historical atrocities. The conversation highlights how narratives are weaponized by political figures to manipulate perception, the psychological effects of witnessing atrocities, and the complicated relationship between Holocaust education and Israeli state actions. It calls for a reassessment of historical narratives to better understand current conflicts.

Omar El Akkad, an Egyptian-Canadian novelist and journalist, discusses the moral shortcomings of industrialized nations regarding their treatment of Palestinians. He critiques the hypocrisy of land acknowledgments, highlighting how they often perpetuate colonial narratives. El Akkad also addresses the euphemistic language used in media which allows audiences to distance themselves from brutality. Central to the conversation is the tension between activism and journalism, underscoring how societal complicity shapes our understanding of suffering in conflicts.

Catherine Liu, a professor at UC Irvine and author of 'Virtue Hoarders,' critiques the professional managerial class and its disconnection from the working class. They discuss how the PMC, despite claiming to champion progress, often sidelines genuine worker needs in favor of superficial activism. Liu addresses the Democratic Party’s failures, the erosion of progressive ideals, and the need for unions to resist capitalism. Additionally, they explore the tensions between modern feminism and actual empowerment, advocating for community activism to bridge the disconnect.

Farah El-Sharif, a writer and academic specializing in Islam in Africa and the Levant, discusses the deep-rooted impacts of colonialism and systemic repression in the Middle East. She candidly critiques Muslim leaders' complicity in the suffering of Palestinians and challenges the internalization of the 'war on terror' rhetoric. El-Sharif argues that many relinquish dignity for prosperity while exploring the fragility of Middle Eastern regimes. Her insights highlight a call for solidarity and the urgent need for moral leadership among young Muslims.

Yanis Varoufakis, former Greek Minister of Finance and economist, critiques the downfall of capitalism and introduces his idea of 'Technofeudalism.' He argues that modern digital platforms operate as cloud fiefdoms, replacing traditional markets and creating a new economic hierarchy. The conversation touches on how major tech companies manipulate labor dynamics and user behavior, the influence of financial giants on innovation, and the crisis of digital identity that strips individuals of autonomy. Varoufakis advocates for a collective movement to reclaim economic power.

Mary Shelley, in the preface to the 1831 edition of Frankenstein, writes, “Invention, it must be humbly admitted, does not consist in creating out of void, but out of chaos.” In the chaos of war and inequity, cartoonist Joe Sacco pioneered the first graphic illustration journalism. Sacco has covered some of the most devastating warzones such as in Bosnia, which gave birth to his book, “Safe Area Gorazde,” and Gaza, which inspired “Footnotes in Gaza,” a book host Chris Hedges calls, “A masterpiece… one of the finest books done on the Palestine-Israel conflict, hands down.”   Sacco joins Hedges on this episode of The Chris Hedges Report to talk about his continued journey through chaos and how Israel’s genocide in Gaza influenced the newest iteration of his invention, his book “War on Gaza.”   Hedges quotes a question Sacco asks in the book, “Is it genocide or is it self-defense? Let's make everyone happy and say it is both. In that case, we'll need new terminology. I propose genocidal self-defense that should give both sides something to work with.”   Through visual renderings, dark humor and objective reporting, Sacco is able evoke responses to events playing out in ways traditional media can never achieve.   “You will find humor in places like Gaza, places like Bosnia, and it's always of the darkest sort. It's their way of sort of managing their own thoughts, being funny, but understanding the underlying darkness of their humor. And I think I picked that up and I'm reflecting it back,” Sacco tells Hedges.   The two reference several parts of Sacco’s new book, touching on the different ways the genocide has altered life in the West, including academic censorship, the question of democracy and biblical interpretation.   In the end, Sacco says it all comes back to his own personal life and the connection it has with such an atrocity. “I've always had this idea that whatever I'm paying in taxes really just adds up to one small piece of shrapnel. I mean, as a nightmare, I just imagine that all my money is funneled into a small part of a bomb that causes someone to lose their life in Gaza.”