Millennials Are Killing Capitalism

This is the lightly edited audio from a recent livestream episode we hosted with Nora Barrows-Friedman. Nora Barrows-Friedman is a staff writer and associate editor at The Electronic Intifada, and is the author of In Our Power: US Students Organize for Justice in Palestine (Just World Books, 2014). She hosts the Electronic Intifada (EI) Livestreams that we all watch on Thursdays at noon eastern time.  In this discussion, we talk about some of Nora's background as a journalist, her work covering student organizing around Palestine, and her recent piece, "Israel abducted starving children at Gaza “aid” sites, then tortured them."  Nora also shares some of EI’s journalistic methodology covering a war that is so highly propagandized. We also get into some of the differences between "Israeli" media and US corporate media in terms of how they cover the acts of the Israeli military and government and the genocide and war crimes that have taken place in Palestine. And we talk about how merely comparing reporting from the two contexts tears their atrocity propaganda narratives to shreds. As many public officials, media personalities, and governments, who have facilitated and supported the genocide in Gaza shift their tone in recent days, we talk about what we think about this phenomenon. And we discuss concepts of accountability and justice as they relate to this horrific phase in human history. If you appreciate the work that we do, until August 29th we are offering 30% off the first month of a monthly subscription or 30% off the first year if you sign up for a yearly subscription at patreon.com/millennialsarekillingcapitalism. This discount is available for all tiers starting with $5 a month, use discount code: 06E4A. We hear from families in Gaza that prices have gone down a bit as some food has reached the markets in the last couple of days. There is a new tool called Lifeline4Gaza.com that some mutual aid organizers have put together that I wanted to share with folks as well. It allows people to find peer-to-peer authenticated campaigns from Gaza that have not received necessary support. At the top of the page will be campaigns who have received the least over the last 5 days. In a time where many families are in desperate need and where there is food available or purchase, a few dollars - and you sharing these campaigns - can make a critical difference for families in need.

We hosted an emergency livestream with Hala Sabbah of the Sameer Project back on July 21st to talk about the absolutely horrific situation in Gaza as a result of the US-funded and supported Israeli enacted genocide. Since conditions have not changed substantially, I wanted to also make sure to get a lightly edited version of that conversation out to our audio podcast feed. Just a reminder that due to our own limitations these days most of our work is on our YouTube page, where we host multiple conversations per week.  This is our third conversation with Hala Sabbah from the Sameer Project since its founding during this genocide. We have a playlist with all three.  You can support the Sameer Project via their linktree which we will include in the show description as well Another conversation we held this week that I will link in the show description is our interview of Nora Barrows-Friedman of the Electronic Intifada, which we just hosted on Monday.  Please continue to do what you can, wherever you can, to support people in Gaza and to put political pressure on all of those complicit in this genocide to make their position untenable. Tomorrow, Thursday August 7th at 10 AM EDT we will host a livestream with socialist and Pro-Palestine barrister Franck Magennis. We encourage people to tune into that conversation as well. And on Monday August 11th we’ll have a livestream with Abdaljawad Omar once again. For the month of August if folks contribute at the $5 per month level or hiring we’re offering a 30% discount to new patrons for their first month, or if you do a yearly subscription you can get 30% off the entire year. You can do that at patreon.com/millennialsarekillingcapitalism or if you prefer to make a one-time contribution you can do so via our buymeacofee page: https://buymeacoffee.com/makcapitalism  

Alana Lentin, a Professor of Cultural and Social Analysis in Sydney, discusses her book, which explores the concept of the 'New Racial Regime' and its implications for contemporary society. She tackles the backlash against Critical Race Theory and the complexities of racial capitalism. Lentin reflects on the role of Zionism in academia, scrutinizes corporate authenticity in diversity initiatives, and critiques the evolving discourse on antisemitism. This insightful conversation challenges listeners to reconsider ideological battles surrounding race and identity in today's world.

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.

Eric Mann, a veteran civil rights organizer and co-director of the Labor/Community Strategy Center, shares his remarkable journey from New York to pivotal 1960s activism. He reflects on his early influences, like his activist parents, and his work with CORE and SNCC, highlighting significant campaigns such as the Trailways boycott. Mann discusses his experiences as a political prisoner and the impact of incarceration on activism, emphasizing the need for a united front against imperialism and the importance of grassroots organizing and strategic alliances in the ongoing struggle for liberation.

Garrett Felber, an educator and author, discusses his latest book on Martin Sostre, a pivotal but often overlooked activist. They explore Sostre's journey as a jailhouse lawyer and his influence on civil rights, weaving through themes like nationalism and armed struggle. Felber shares insights on Sostre’s grassroots organizing efforts and innovative legal strategies, highlighting how individual acts of resistance can fuel collective movements. The conversation underscores the legacy of community activism, mirroring the struggles of various political ideologies.

Tariq Khan, a historian with expertise in social movements and colonialism, dives deep into the legacy of settler colonial violence and anti-left repression. He discusses the historical roots of anti-communism predating McCarthyism and connects these dynamics to contemporary political actions, including Trump’s immigration policies. Khan draws parallels between historical figures like McKinley and Roosevelt and highlights the persistent trauma of lynching and sexual violence as tools of power. His insights reveal how past injustices continue to shape modern societal issues.

In this engaging discussion, Edward Ongweso Jr, a Brooklyn-based writer and co-host of This Machine Kills, delves into the complexities of 'artificial intelligence.' He critiques how the term obscures corporate motivations and draws surprising parallels between modern technology and historic labor exploitation on plantations. The conversation reveals how surveillance capitalism evolved post-World War II, linking military and civilian innovations, and explores the authoritarian tendencies within Silicon Valley that threaten democratic values.

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Charles H.F. Davis III about the increasingly repressive conditions on university campuses, particularly in the context of Columbia University's caving in to federal pressures under the thumb of Trump’s administration. We explore the broader implications of these concessions at the expense of liberalized notions of intellectual and academic freedom, student activism, and the role of universities as sites of political struggle. Dr. Davis highlights the historical and ongoing repression of student activism, particularly pro-Palestinian movements, and critiques the legal and institutional frameworks that perpetuate these violences. We also delve into the limitations of liberalism in fending off fascist infringement and the active participation of universities in maintaining these structures of domination. We also touch on the historical collaboration between Zionist organizations and U.S. universities, the erosion of diversity and inclusion initiatives, and the broader implications for the future of higher education. Dr. Charles H.F. Davis III is a third-generation educator, organizer, and artist. He is a faculty member in the Center for the Study of Higher and Postsecondary Education and director of the Campus Abolition Research Lab at the University of Michigan. His research and teaching broadly explore the racialized consequences of higher education on society, including the role of colleges and universities in limiting the life-making possibilities of Black and other racialized communities. Edited/produced by Aidan Elias, music as always is by Televangel If you like what we do and want to support our ability to have more conversations like this. Please consider becoming a Patron or supporting us at BuyMeACoffee.com/MAKCapitalism. You can do so for as little as a 1 Dollar a month at patreon or by making a one time contribution through BuyMeACoffee.   Longer bio:  Dr. Charles H.F. Davis III is a third-generation educator, organizer, and artist committed to the lives, love, and liberation of everyday Black people. Dr. Davis is a faculty member in the Center for the Study of Higher and Postsecondary Education and director of the Campus Abolition Research Lab at the University of Michigan. His research and teaching broadly explore the racialized consequences of higher education on society, including the role of colleges and universities in limiting the life-making possibilities of Black and other racially minoritized communities. Dr. Davis has produced nearly three dozen scholarly publications, which have been cited in amicus curiae brief to the Supreme Court of the United States and included as expert testimony before the California State Assembly. He is co-editor of Student Activism, Politics, and Campus Climates in Higher Education (Routledge) and author of the forthcoming Campus Abolition and Police-Free Futures on Johns Hopkins University Press. For his intellectual contributions, Dr. Davis been nationally-recognized by the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, as a 2020 Emerging Scholar by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education, a recipient of the National Academy of Education/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship, a 2024 Inductee to the Martin Luther King, Jr. College of Ministers and Laity’s Collegium of Scholars at Morehouse College and, most recently, was named a Senior Fellow at the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University. At the institutional level, Dr. Davis’ teaching and service have been recognized as the 2023 recipient of the John Matlock Cornerstone Award for his contributions to the success of African American students at the University of Michigan and the 2024 Diversity, Inclusion, Justice, and Equity Award at the U-M Marsal Family School of Education.

Tariq Khan, a historian with a knack for uncovering historical ties, dives into his book on how settler colonial violence has influenced anti-left repression in the U.S. He illuminates the connections between 19th-century anarchism, race science, and state violence, revealing how these dynamics have shaped contemporary political discourse. Khan also discusses the parallels between U.S. genocidal policies and those enacted by Israel against Palestinians, challenging listeners to reframe our understanding of history and activist movements through a lens of solidarity.