Rev Left Radio

Matthew Furlong, a recurring guest renowned for his insights into dialectics, joins to dissect Mao Zedong’s influential text on handling contradictions. They explore Mao's dialectical method and the distinction between antagonistic and non-antagonistic contradictions, applying these concepts to modern political movements. The conversation reveals how social media exacerbates societal conflicts and critiques superficial views of capitalism. Furlong emphasizes the importance of understanding contradictions for effective activism and transformative societal change.

ORIGINALLY RELEASED Aug 29, 2022   The rallying cry of liberty, equality, and fraternity echoed through the streets of revolutionary France—and still reverberates through history. In this episode, we examine the French Revolution as a foundational rupture in world history, one that shattered the old feudal order and set the stage for modern capitalism, liberal democracy, and the revolutionary tradition from which subsequent socialist and communist movements would draw inspiration. From the class uprising of the sans-culottes to the radical egalitarian vision of the Jacobins, and from the fall of the monarchy to the rise of Napoleon, we follow the dialectical unfolding of hope and horror, progress and betrayal. What did the revolution achieve, where did it fall short, and what lessons can today’s revolutionaries draw from the fire that consumed the Ancien Régime?   Stella joins Breht to discuss (and put a unique communist spin) on the great French Revolution!   Check out our Haitian Revolution episode HERE   Check out our Paris Commune episode HERE ---------------------------------------------------- Support Rev Left and get access to bonus episodes: www.patreon.com/revleftradio Make a one-time donation to Rev Left at BuyMeACoffee.com/revleftradio Follow, Subscribe, & Learn more about Rev Left Radio HERE Outro Beat Prod. by flip da hood

Chuka Ejeckam, a graduate student in political science with Igbo descent, pays tribute to Fred Hampton, the revolutionary leader of the Black Panther Party. They explore Hampton's legacy of uniting marginalized communities and his influential initiatives like the Rainbow Coalition. The discussion dives into the FBI's COINTELPRO tactics that led to Hampton's tragic assassination, exposing systemic oppression within historical contexts. Ejeckam emphasizes the importance of bold activism and recalls Hampton's fire that continues to inspire contemporary movements for liberation.

Jose Maria Sison, the Founding Chairman of the Communist Party of the Philippines and notable political activist, shares his remarkable life story. He discusses the formation of the Communist Party, his experiences as a political prisoner, and the impact of U.S. imperialism on Philippine politics. Sison explores guerrilla warfare tactics and the challenges faced by the revolutionary movement, emphasizing resilience in the fight for socialism. His insights into revolutionary education and the need for solidarity against imperialism resonate throughout this poignant conversation.

ORIGINALLY RELEASED Dec 13, 2023 In this Rev Left Family Annual Collab (Rev Left+Red Menace+Guerrilla History), Alyson, Henry, Adnan, and Breht sit down for a deep dive on South African Apartheid. Together they discuss its euro-colonialist origins, explain the significance of the Boer Wars, define and explicate the origins of apartheid, explore the political economy of apartheid and how brutal racism shaped it, examine the multi-faceted indigenous resistance to apartheid, analyze the end of formal apartheid as well as its ongoing legacy in post-apartheid South Africa, and try to extract important lessons from this history to apply to the ongoing struggle in Palestine. ---------------------------------------------------- Support Rev Left and get access to bonus episodes: www.patreon.com/revleftradio Make a one-time donation to Rev Left at BuyMeACoffee.com/revleftradio Follow, Subscribe, & Learn more about Rev Left Radio HERE

David Swanson, host of the Radical Reflections podcast from Ireland, invites Breht to tackle the flawed narratives surrounding communism. They debunk common myths linking socialism to fascism and critique capitalism's impact on society. The discussion explores human rights, migration misconceptions, and the dynamic nature of Marxism. They argue for a redefinition of democracy that serves the working class and emphasize the need for solidarity in today’s political landscape. Engaging and thought-provoking, their insights challenge prevailing anti-communist sentiments.

Dive into the tumultuous life of John Brown, the radical abolitionist whose violent methods sparked national debates on justice and morality. Explore his transformative impact from Bleeding Kansas to Harpers Ferry, and reflect on how his deep religious convictions fueled his relentless fight against slavery. The discussion highlights Brown's controversial legacy, the moral complexities of his actions, and his enduring influence on modern social movements and liberation theology.

ORIGINALLY RELEASED Feb 4, 2023 In this episode of Guerrilla History, we unpack Gerald Horne’s explosive and essential work The Counter-Revolution of 1836: Texas Slavery & Jim Crow and the Roots of U.S. Fascism. Horne dismantles the romanticized mythology of Texas independence, revealing it instead as a pro-slavery revolt against Mexico’s abolitionist policies. We trace how white settler colonialism, racial capitalism, and the violent defense of human bondage shaped the formation of Texas—and, more broadly, the reactionary trajectory of U.S. history. This episode challenges the lies we were taught, connecting the dots between the foundation of Texas, the rise of Jim Crow, and the enduring roots of American fascism. A must-listen for anyone serious about confronting the true history of empire. ---------------------------------------------------- Support Rev Left and get access to bonus episodes: www.patreon.com/revleftradio Make a one-time donation to Rev Left at BuyMeACoffee.com/revleftradio Follow, Subscribe, & Learn more about Rev Left Radio HERE

Nicholas Richard-Thompson, a BAP Midwest organizer, and Tunde Osazua, outreach co-coordinator for the Black Alliance for Peace, examine Kwame Nkrumah's transformative role in Ghana as the first leader of an independent nation. They discuss his revolutionary vision for Pan-African unity, economic self-sufficiency, and resistance against imperialism. The conversation touches on the challenges he faced, including assassination attempts and foreign interference. Nkrumah's legacy continues to inspire modern anti-colonial movements, reaffirming the fight for a united Africa.

ORIGINALLY RELEASED Feb 3, 2022 In this episode, Alyson and Breht introduce, teach, and discuss the philosphy of two giants in western philosophy: Arthur Schopenhaur and Friedrich Nietzsche.  They discuss their respective philosophies, how they relate, how they differ, the subsequent thinkers and movements they inspired or influened, their relation to politics right, left and center, their connection to eastern philosophies and religions, and much more!  ---------------------------------------------------- Support Rev Left and get access to bonus episodes: www.patreon.com/revleftradio Make a one-time donation to Rev Left at BuyMeACoffee.com/revleftradio Follow, Subscribe, & Learn more about Rev Left Radio HERE