Interdependent Study

Our conversation about the many questions that abolitionist organizers need to answer in order to create the future we need continues. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss a ‘zine by Interrupting Criminalization called “Abolition & the State: Responses Vol. 1”, which engages abolitionists and scholars in sharing their reflections on the questions raised in Abolition & the State: A Discussion...

There are many questions that abolitionist organizers need to answer in order to create the future we need. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss a discussion tool by Interrupting Criminalization called “Abolition & the State”, which provides questions and activities for abolitionist organizers to use to explore the possibilities for moving beyond existing systems, structures, and frameworks, and...

Class struggle unionism can serve as a way to rebuild a powerful labor movement in this country. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the book Class Struggle Unionism by Joe Burns, which shares the history and characteristics of unionism and outlines ideas common to class struggle unionism and how these ideas can create a more militant, democratic, and fighting labor movement, and what we learn and...

The vision and legacy of Reconstruction in this country continues today. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the piece “How Black Americans Kept Reconstruction Alive” by Peniel E. Joseph in The Atlantic, which shares how Black Reconstructionists created and enacted a vision for a multiracial democracy that continues now through the work of abolitionist organizing and movements today, and what we le...

Abolitionist organizing work is taking place everywhere in this country. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the piece “Abolition Everywhere” by Meghan Krausch in Inquest, which explores some of the abolitionist organizing taking place in Republican-controlled states and regions across the country, particularly in the south, and what we learn and take away from the incredible lessons shared about t...

Abolitionist organizing for health justice is important and necessary work. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the piece “Beyond Do No Harm: Health Justice and Abolition” by Maria Thomas in The Forge, which outlines the mission and recent work of the Beyond Do No Harm Network and introduces their 13 principles for health care providers to interrupt criminalization, and what we learn and take away...

Simply put, when one of us wins, we all win. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the piece “Insecurity Is a Feature, Not a Bug, of Capitalism. But It Can Spark Resistance.” by CJ Polychroniou in Truthout, which features a conversation between CJ Polychroniou and Astra Taylor about the notion of capitalism as an insecurity-producing machine and Taylor’s new book (The Age of Insecurity: Coming Togeth...

It is an atrocity that Black women and girls have been the victims of police and state violence since the beginning of time. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the book #SayHerName: Black Women’s Stories of Police Violence and Public Silence by Kimberlé Crenshaw and the African American Policy Forum, which shares many of the stories of Black women who have been the target of police and state-sanct...

In its current form, it could be argued that the Supreme Court is a danger to democratic order. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss “The Supreme Court Shouldn’t Get The Last Word” by Braxton Brewington in Hammer & Hope, which is a thought piece that explores the current state of the Supreme Court, the dangers it presents to our society and our collective liberation, and what should be done to a...

There have been a myriad of victories and challenges in the organizing work for abolition over the years. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss two pieces from The Forge’s State of Abolition issue, including “After the Uprising: In DC and Beyond” by Makia Green and “What Time Is It on the Clock of Abolitionist Organizing?” by Andrea J. Ritchie, which analyze the current conditions, challenges, and vi...

The Stop Cop City movement continues to be important and necessary work in the fight against the unnecessary expansion of policing in Atlanta. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss “Cop City and the Silencing of Dissent” by US Representatives Cori Bush and Rashida Tlaib in The Nation, which highlights recent developments in the Stop Cop City movement and the work being done by Atlanta and Georgia off...

The legacy of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) as an organization is an incredible and worthwhile history for all of us to know and understand. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the SNCC Digital Gateway, a documentary website and digital archive about the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and the story of how SNCC fought for racial, economic, and political justice for...

Our collective learning and unlearning work about our history is the only way to one day achieve freedom for all of us. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the book Our History Has Always Been Contraband: In Defense of Black Studies, edited by Colin Kaepernick, Robin D.G. Kelley, and Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, which features excerpts of writings from various scholars, feminists, abolitionists, organi...

There is racism embedded in the most recent climate legislation in this country. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the piece “Our Green Transition May Leave Black People Behind” by Rhiana Gunn-Wright in Hammer & Hope, which outlines the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act and other recent climate legislation, and how these laws exist at and amplify the intersections of racism, white...

The importance and power of unions cannot be overstated. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss “What You Need To Know About Gen Z’s Support for Unions” by Aurelia Glass for the Center for American Progress, and “Why labor’s surging popularity isn’t translating to union membership” by Emily Peck and Nathan Bomey in Axios, which highlight Generation Z’s support of unions, why unions are important, and...

There is much we can continue to learn from James Baldwin and his analysis and perspective of America that remains applicable in our present day. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the book Begin Again: James Baldwin’s America and Its Urgent Lessons For Our Own by Eddie S. Glaude, Jr., which combines an exploration of Baldwin’s perspective on America with a new analysis of present day America, and...

In so many ways, the U.S. is a morally bankrupt country, and it is important that we recognize and repair this as soon as possible. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the piece “Corporate Greed is a Moral Crisis. Working People Are Fighting Back.” by Rosalyn Pelles and William J. Barber II in In These Times, which examines the recent wave of organizing, union work, and strike activity this summer...

It is important to recognize the ways that class is represented in the media and beyond. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the 2005 documentary “Class Dismissed: How TV Frames the Working Class” (based on the work of Pepi Leistyna and directed by Loretta Alper), which explores how class is represented in American television and media, as well as the intersections of class with race, gender, and s...

We agree with The Debt Collective that no one should have to go into debt trying to meet their basic needs. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the book Can’t Pay, Won’t Pay: The Case for Economic Disobedience and Debt Abolition by The Debt Collective, which outlines a vision and tangible strategies for solidarity and collective action for radical change and debt abolition, and what we learn from t...

The impact of the Supreme Court’s most recent rulings will be felt for years to come. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss an interactive piece called “The Major Supreme Court Decisions in 2023” by Adam Liptak and Eli Murray in The New York Times, which outlines the Supreme Court’s most notable decisions this year as well as survey data of the public’s opinion on those rulings, and what the impact o...

We enjoyed this activity the first time so we’re doing it again! Listen as Aaron and Damien engage in a dialogue activity using The Skin Deep ’s {THE AND} On Racism Edition tool and have a candid conversation about their personal thoughts and reflections on a wide range of social justice issues. We hope you enjoy it! Follow us on social media and visit our website! Instagram , Threads ,  Twitter ,...

We need to be radical in our thinking and our work in order to achieve a better and more just world for all of us. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the book Let This Radicalize You: Organizing and the Revolution of Reciprocal Care by Kelly Hayes and Mariame Kaba, which examines some of the lessons learned about organizing from experienced scholars, organizers, and movement leaders on the ground,...

James Baldwin’s work and influence as a writer and activist was profoundly important to the advancement of civil rights in this country. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the documentary I Am Not Your Negro (directed by Raoul Peck), which uses James Baldwin’s unfinished book Remember This House to explore the history of racism, race relations, and the civil rights movement in the United States th...

We must do all we can to beat back authoritarianism across the country. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss an article in The Forge called “What Does It Look Like When We Build Our Power and Fight the Right?” by Sandra Hinson, which summarizes a panel conversation with four leaders and organizers about the efforts of their organizations to fight against authoritarianism and the many lessons learned...

The abolition of all forms of state violence is an imperative we must achieve. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the book Abolishing State Violence: A World Beyond Bombs, Borders, and Cages by Ray Acheson, which offers a sharp analysis of the connections that exist between policing, prisons, surveillance, borders, war, nuclear weapons, and capitalism, as well as the organizing activism for their...