Against the Grain – February 19, 2008
The documentary "The Power of Nightmares" explores the similarities between American neo-conservatism and radical political Islam.
12:00 PM Pacific Time: Mondays - Wednesdays
Acclaimed program of ideas, in-depth analysis, and commentary on a variety of matters—political, economic, social, and cultural—important to progressive and radical thinking and activism. Against the Grain is co-produced and co-hosted by Sasha Lilley and C. S. Soong.
The documentary "The Power of Nightmares" explores the similarities between American neo-conservatism and radical political Islam.
The work and life of the singer, actor and activist Paul Robeson, whom Pete Seeger has called "one of the greatest human beings of all time," are showcased in the DVD box set "Paul Robeson: Portraits of the Artist."
Historian and activist John Henrik Clarke examines 5,000 years of African and African American history in the award-winning film documentary "A Great and Mighty Walk."
Michael Yates talks about his book "Cheap Motels and a Hot Plate," about his travel adventures around the US and about work and inequality in the places he visits.
Chalmers Johnson talks about US empire, militarism, and executive power run amok in a newly-released presentation.
In his talk "Is America Driving You Crazy?" Stephen Bezruchka links the surging rates of mental illness and psychiatric drug use in the US to the widening gap between rich and poor.
Sociologist Francesca Polletta talks about the uses of storytelling in politics and protest, and why social movements choose the organizational forms that they do. Polletta discusses, among other things, her essay "How Participatory Democracy Became White."
Race and Mother(ing) After the publication of her book of poems "Acolytes," Nikki Giovanni spoke about the death of her mother and about slavery in the US. Rebecca Aanerud has written about the legacy of white supremacy and the challenge of white antiracist mothering.
Democracy and the Social Forums If US-style electoral democracy doesn’t satisfy you, Michael Menser suggests we consider an alternative: radical democracy like the kind practiced in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Menser likewise sees the World Social Forum as a crucial experiment in democracy. The social forum movement has also inspired the poet and arts activist Alice … Continued
Identity and Class; Acequias and Social Justice What are the limits of identity politics, and how might an emphasis on people’s class location help us understand widening inequalities? Martha Gimenez has written an article entitled "Back to Class." And Devon Pena explains how acequia communities in the Southwest practice local democracy, social equity, and sustainable … Continued