Interdependent Study

Our learning from the stories of people and communities that have worked tirelessly throughout history for racial and social justice in this country continues. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the third episode of the docuseries “Eyes on the Prize III: We Who Believe in Freedom Cannot Rest” titled “Million Man March 1995” (directed by Muta'Ali), which chronicles the history, challenges, afte...

The history of police use of tear gas in the United States is a history worth learning. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the zine “A [short] History of U.S. Police & Tear Gas” by Mariame Kaba (and published as a resource by Interrupting Criminalization), which outlines and analyzes the history and use of tear gas by the police in the United States (and across the globe) and the inhumane and...

Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò argues that one of the biggest struggles facing our generation is the climate crisis, and we must act now. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the second half of the book Reconsidering Reparations: Why Climate Justice and Constructive Politics Are Needed in the Wake of Slavery and Colonialism by Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò (and published by Haymarket Books), which analyzes the history and i...

There is no doubt about the impact of colonialism, capitalism, transatlantic slavery, and the climate crisis on the creation of the global racial empire. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the first half of the book Reconsidering Reparations: Why Climate Justice and Constructive Politics Are Needed in the Wake of Slavery and Colonialism by Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò (and published by Haymarket Books), whic...

The impact of the 2025 Southern California wildfires has been devastating, but the revitalization and regeneration efforts by communities in Altadena is a true inspiration. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the piece “Between Fires in Los Angeles and Fascism in America” by Robin D.G. Kelley in Hammer & Hope, which chronicles the impact of and response to the 2025 Southern California wildfires...

Fascism, authoritarianism, and the far-right insurgency here in the United States and in Europe are on the rise and undoubtedly devastating for all of us. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the piece “Donald Trump and the Far-Right Insurgency in Europe” by Gary Younge in Hammer & Hope, which outlines and analyzes the history, rise, leaders, and manifestations of fascism and the far-right insur...

Without a doubt, Palestinian humanity deserves more than it has been given. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the book Perfect Victims: And the Politics of Appeal by Mohammed El-Kurd (and published by Haymarket Books), which examines and analyzes the concepts of humanity and perfect victimhood in regards to Palestine and the Palestinian people throughout history and in all aspects of our society,...

There continues to be much to learn from the stories of people and communities that have worked tirelessly throughout history for racial and social justice in this country. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the second episode of the docuseries “Eyes on the Prize III: We Who Believe in Freedom Cannot Rest” titled “Trapped 1989-1995” (directed by Samantha M. Knowles), which chronicles the dispropor...

There’s been an increase in the number of organizers, activists, and organizations calling for a national strike in the United States to combat the fascism and violence we face at the hands of our government. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the piece “What would a general strike in the US actually look like?” by Jeremy Brecher in Waging Nonviolence, which analyzes the concept of a social strike...

The right’s onslaught of attacks on books, education, and learning have also included attacks on and the criminalization of librarians. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss an essay titled “Criminalizing Librarians: Threats and Realities” by Mariame Kaba and published by Interrupting Criminalization, which highlights some of the attacks on librarians throughout history and in the present day, and an...

We must continue our movement for abolition and fight against state violence, oppression, and punishment at all costs. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the book Abolition: Politics, Practices, and Promises, Vol. 1 by Angela Davis (and published by Haymarket Books), which is a collection of Davis’ essays analyzing the history of abolitionist practice and work around the globe, the contributions o...

There is so much to learn from the stories of people and communities that have worked tirelessly for racial and social justice in the Civil Rights Movement and beyond. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the first episode of the docuseries “Eyes on the Prize III: We Who Believe in Freedom Cannot Rest” titled “America, Don’t Look Away 1977-1988” (directed by Geta Gandbhir), which chronicles communit...

The labor movement faces a critical moment that could impact generations to come. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss a piece titled “ For Labor, Caution Is Fatal ” by Stephen Lerner in In These Times, which highlights and analyzes the current moment the labor movement is in right now and the challenges that the new administration poses to its progress, as well as what unions and the labor movement...

It is clear that the Trump administration is targeting colleges and universities, as well as students protesting in support of Palestine. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss a piece called “Trump’s targeting of students protesting genocide opens new lines of attack” by Neha Madhira in Prism, which highlights how the detainment of Mahmoud Khalil and others is indicative of a larger tactic to weaponi...

<!--td {border: 1px solid #cccccc;}br {mso-data-placement:same-cell;}-->It is no secret that the state uses violence and coercion to suppress social movements in this country. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss a resource titled “A Troublemakers Guide: Principles for Racial Justice Activists in the Face of State Repression” by the Catalyst Project, which outlines and analyzes how the state u...

The connections between white supremacy and fascism to sci-fi and fantasy are clear. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the piece “Sci-fi, Fantasy, and Fascism” by Sherronda J. Brown in Scalawag, which analyzes and critiques the ways that imagination and fantasy get used by white supremacist and fascist worldviews to advance outrageous and dangerous thinking and political action, and what we need...

Bayard Rustin was a key figure and leader of the Civil Rights Movement, but because he was a gay man, he was mostly relegated to the background and cast as an outsider. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the documentary “Brother Outsider: The Life of Freedom Fighter Bayard Rustin” (co-produced and co-directed by Nancy Kates and Bennett Singer), which chronicles the life, work, and legacy of the gr...

The fight against fascism across the globe is necessary for the survival of Black people. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the book The Black Antifascist Tradition: Fighting Back From Anti-Lynching to Abolition by Jeanelle K. Hope and Bill V. Mullen (published by Haymarket Books), which chronicles the history of the fight against fascism and anti-Blackness across the globe by Black activists and...

We must resist the government takeover by the billionaire Right and fascists at all costs. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the piece “ In the Face of Overwhelm ” by Asha Ransby-Sporn in In These Times, which analyzes the ongoing government takeover by fascists and the billionaire Right and highlights what we can and must do to resist being overwhelmed and complacent in the face of it all, and w...

Despite the flurry and onslaught of anti-trans legislation and actions by the new administration, we must stand committed to defending the humanity of trans people and fight this fascist, anti-trans agenda at all costs. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the piece “Trump’s Latest Anti-Trans Actions and How We Can Fight Back” by Kelly Hayes in her newsletter Organizing My Thoughts, which outlines a...

There is still much work to be done regarding the future of the struggle to disrupt the distribution of United States weaponry and support to Israel in the ultimate hope to dismantle Zionism and imperialism. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the piece “Our Fight Doesn’t End at Cease-Fire” by Nashwa Bawab in In These Times, which features parts of a panel conversation moderated by Bawab between se...

We've got a solo episode today. Aaron revisits and reads Toni Morrison's 1995 essay Racism and Fascism. We explored and appreciated this essay in October 2024 thanks to In These Times decision to republish it. We felt a sense of truth-telling that continues to reverberate 30 years later. Follow us on social media and visit our website! ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ , ⁠...

The inauguration of Donald Trump on the same day as the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday highlights the fact that we are witnessing and living through a significant clash of opposing visions. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the piece “MLK’s Legacy Is One of Class Struggle. To Fight Trump, We Must Carry His Torch.” by Nicholas Powers in Truthout, which explores and outlines how Project 2025 and t...

Given the countless and relentless political attacks on education and learning across the country, the need for antiracist education and educators is paramount. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the book Teach Truth: The Struggle for Antiracist Education by Jesse Hagopian, which explores and analyzes the concept and disturbing power of uncritical race theory, as well as the origins and examples o...

Nuclear colonialism and racism are at the core of the Indigenous struggle for healthy and viable sacred land in the American Southwest. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the documentary Demon Mineral (directed by Hadley Austin), which chronicles the ongoing Indigenous struggle to reclaim healthy and sacred land among the uranium mines and radioactive desert of the American Southwest, and what we...