Politics & Organizing

PLEASE CALL RAY IF YOU WANT TO TAKE THIS CLASS - 651-714-0288

RAY will cancel the class if he does not hear from anyone by Thursday.

At this point in US History, World War II can almost seem like it is a forgotten war. What lessons and understandings might we reach by looking back onto many of the peculiarities, ideas, and stories from the time? This class will delve further into the metaphor that Nazism and the Third Reich offers us as a means to understand the present political situation in the US and the world. NOTE: If you would like to get in touch with Ray please call him.

Location

As radicals of all kinds, we often want things to change, and work toward the change we seek in whatever ways we see fit. What are we trying to change? Is it working? Why do things change when they do? Many of us are also dedicated to continually questioning, to thinking critically, to getting to the root of the problem. Are we doing that to the extent that we could be? What have we accomplished in this generation? When have we failed?

This reading and discussion group is dedicated to taking a good, hard look at ourselves and what we're doing, in an effort to make ourselves and our work as effective as possible. Sometimes it's easy to coast along and keep doing the same thing, in thought or in action. This can lead to stagnancy, inertia and burnout. Who needs that? Self-critique ain't easy, but it's always necessary.

To this end, we will be reading critical theory: critiques of activism, organization, democracy, identity and safety. You may not agree with everything we read, and we might not all come to the same conclusions. That's okay. The idea is to get people thinking and talking. Engaged, passionate thought and discussion are welcome and encouraged!

Location

Tired of grossly inaccurate coverage, or no coverage at all, of your social justice organization in the mainstream media? Then this course is for you.

This interactive educational experience will guide you through the steps of creating an engaging media strategy that maximizes the chance of accurate press coverage for your organization or action. Our first class session will focus on the question- "What is the media and how does it work?," revealing the hidden workings of the corporate media machine. From there, we will look at case studies of coverage of social justice activism, discuss the role of media work to support your organization's mission, and identify your own goals for media coverage. We will then discuss how to tell your organization's story in a compelling way and construct a detailed media strategy to help you get coverage. The final sessions of the class will be dedicated to the nuts and bolts of executing an effective media strategy: developing a press list, writing press releases, pitching your story, staging a media event, and maintaining relationships with reporters. You will leave this course with a thorough theoretical and practical understanding of how to get the press coverage your organization needs to fulfill its mission.

Course Schedule

Day 1
What is the media? How does it work? aka "Why won't reporters cover our action?"
Why do we want press coverage? What are our goals?
How to Tell Your Story so that the Media Listens

Day 2
Nuts and Bolts: Developing a Press List
Nuts and Bolts: Writing Press Releases

Day 3
Nuts and Bolts: The Pitch
Nuts and Bolts: The Media Event
After-Action Follow-up
Reflection on Course

Location

(español abajo) This class can be bilingual. Esta clase puede ser bilingue.

WORKING FOR SOCIAL CHANGE? WHY?
See schedule below.

In this class we will discuss the values that drive us to do this work. Experience of participants and short readings will guide our dialogue. Topics for discussion will include:

solidarity: to and from whom
cultural sensitivity and guilt
empowerment and pity

Childcare will be shared among participants.

¿TRABAJAS PARA UN CAMBIO SOCIAL? ¿POR QUÉ?

En esta clase vamos a discutir los valores que nos impulsan a hacer este trabajo. La experiencia de los participantes y lecturas cortas guían el diálogo.
Los temas a discutir serán:

la solidaridad: por y para quién
la sensibilidad cultural y la culpabilidad
"dar" poder y la piedad

Cuidado de niños será compartido entre los participantes.

Location

We will read and discuss the recently published books, “Black Bloc, White Riot,” by AK Thompson, and “Anarchism and Sexuality,” edited by Jamie Heckert and Richard Cleminson. We’ll find a way to make copies available cheaply or for free. Other shorter readings are likely, and we are open to suggestions.  For some possible introductory readings on anarchism, check out this list of readings on our course blog.

The first meeting will be on Thursday, June 23rd, 5:30pm, at Boneshaker Books (tentatively) - 2002 23rd Ave. S. Minneapolis.  At this meeting, we'll figure out a weekly meeting time that works best for all participants.

For updates on our meetings and to download readings, see our course blog.

As we view world events unfold before our eyes, we are beginning to realize that the international community is in fact changing at an alarming rate. What was once considered to be fair and normal in the past is suddenly classified as immoral and barbaric in the immediate present. The revisions, transformations, and advancements that have been made in the name of modernity directly interrelate from our historical past. We often take the events of the past and apply them as lessons to support a revolutionary point of view in the immediate present. The human mind presents us with amazing power, but very few of us demonstrate a sense of appreciation for its true capabilities. Many neurologists will confirm that most of us do not even use half of our brain capacities. There are many reasons that can explain this particular reality, but the vast majority of us can agree upon the fact that the world is quickly becoming an intellectual wasteland. These “blank” periods pave the way for revolutionary change.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=199758226711116&set=a.199758056711133.44060.100000308199912

Historia de los inmigrantes y la lucha de los trabajadores en EEUU y el mundo. La historia del primero de Mayo de 1886 que fue borado por el presidente Eisenhower pero que ha vuelto a hacer conmemorado por el movimiento inmigrante desde el 2006.

"Demanding the Impossible", in addition to doing just that, will also meet and discuss the book by Peter Marshall with the same name. In addition to discussing the text, we hope to also make connections from the theoretical concepts and historical developments discussed in Peter Marshall's book to the current day and even our own organizing.

The book is long (~700 pages), but is written in an approachable style and is thoroughly subdivided. The plan is to collectively edit the syllabus during the first class meeting, deciding what sections of the book we will discuss based on the interests of the class.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1604860642/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0002178559&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0VE1XT0CS3BRE81MM31G

*********************************************
Information on the book from the publisher:

"Navigating the broad 'river of anarchy', from Taoism to Situationism, from Ranters to Punk rockers, from individualists to communists, from anarcho-syndicalists to anarcha-feminists, Demanding the Impossible is an authoritative and lively study of a widely misunderstood subject. It explores the key anarchist concepts of society and the state, freedom and equality, authority and power and investigates the successes and failure of the anarchist movements throughout the world. While remaining sympathetic to anarchism, it presents a balanced and critical account. It covers not only the classic anarchist thinkers, such as Godwin, Proudhon, Bakunin, Kropotkin, Reclus and Emma Goldman, but also other libertarian figures, such as Nietzsche, Camus, Gandhi, Foucault and Chomsky. No other book on anarchism covers so much so incisively.

In this updated edition, a new epilogue examines the most recent developments, including 'post-anarchism' and 'anarcho-primitivism' as well as the anarchist contribution to the peace, green and 'Global Justice' movements.

Location

The premise of course is that our future is not only ecological but
indigenous. We will be looking at not only the Six Nations Confederacy,
but several other cultural and political powers in the western
hemisphere including the Hopi, the Ojibway, the Inca, the Maya, Aztecs
and many others. One of the goals of this course will be to not only
push the envelope but get rid of the envelope. No discussion of our
problems or potentials is possible without our indigenous center.Mondays 6-8PM

Location

The premise of course is that our future is not only ecological but
indigenous. We will be looking at not only the Six Nations Confederacy,
but several other cultural and political powers in the western
hemisphere including the Hopi, the Ojibway, the Inca, the Maya, Aztecs
and many others. One of the goals of this course will be to not only
push the envelope but get rid of the envelope. No discussion of our
problems or potentials is possible without our indigenous center.

Mondays 6-8PM

Location

In this class, we will watch documentaries that show how issues of the environment and social justice are intimately related.  Peoples around the world suffer the burdens of environmental destruction, but these sufferings are not equitably distributed.  The causes come from corporations and wealthy nations, but through racism, imperialism, and capitalism, the effects fall disproportionately on poor and marginalized peoples.  Yet, resistance is possible!  We will watch films that show the causes of environmental injustices as well as forms of resistance through building social movements and grassroots communities.  We will follow the films with discussions -- in both English and Spanish with translation.

En esta clase, veremos Documentales que muestran comos los temas del medio Ambiente y de justicia social estan cercanamente relacionados. Gente en todo el mundo sufre las consecuencias de la destruccion del ambiente, pero estos sufrimientos no son distribuidos equitativamente. Las causas vienen de corporaciones y de paises ricos, pero a traves de Racismo, imperialismo y capitalismo, Los efectos caen desproporcionadamente en los pobres y en la gente marginada. Todavia, la resistencia es posible!!, veremos documentales que muestran las injusticias ambientales y a la vez formas de resistencia a traves de la construccion de movimientos sociales y de la comunidad de base. A los documentales les seguiran debates en Ingles y Espanol con traduccion.

Schedule: (all classes meet Thursday evenings, 6:00-8:00pm) (Todas las clases se reuniran los Jueves de 6:00 a 8:00 pm)

9/30/10 – Darwin’s Nightmare

- on the environmental and social effects of the fishing industry around Lake Victoria in Tanzania.

- Los efectos ambientales y sociales de la industria de la pesca en el Lago Victoria en Tanzania

Location

Saturday, October 2, 2010
3-5pm
Hosmer  Library (lower level)
347 East 36th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55408

Workshop Description:

In this 2-hour participatory workshop, we will first collectively examine some movement media (that is, media created from inside social movements for the explicit purpose of furthering radical change) from various local--global struggles crossing race, age, class and gender identities.  Then, we'll do some mediamaking of our own.  Bring your creative mind, political passions and willingness to interact.  (And, if you want, a pencil, crayons, videocamera... whatever tools might come in handy!)

Participants will leave with tricks, tactics and inspiration for 1) making media for radical social change, and 2) taking action to make another wor(l)d possible.

Printed resources will also be available for participants to take home.

Register for this workshop via EXCO and a confirmation email/phone call will be made at least one week before the date.

About the Facilitator:  Jaime is a Twin Cities Indymedia collective member, writer and discontent in south Minneapolis with experience facilitating participatory media trainings/workshops.  To talk or ask questions, email me: bjhokanson[at]gmail.com.

Location

The premise of course is that our future is not only ecological but
indigenous. We will be looking at not only the Six Nations Confederacy,
but several other cultural and political powers in the western
hemisphere including the Hopi, the Ojibway, the Inca, the Maya, Aztecs
and many others. One of the goals of this course will be to not only
push the envelope but get rid of the envelope. No discussion of our
problems or potentials is possible without our indigenous center.

NOTE: Ray does not use email so if you want to get in touch with him
before the class please call.

Location

We will read some recent texts about strategies for university struggles from some accomplished organizing collectives in California and Washington:  Advance the Struggle, Gathering Forces, and Democracy Insurgent.  These folks are quite impressive in terms of the theoretical sophistication of their reflections on the current struggles.

Here are links to a couple key articles that we can start with for reflecting on March 4th and strategies...
http://advancethestruggle.wordpress.com/2010/04/12/crisis-and-consciousn...
http://gatheringforces.org/2010/04/26/the-debate-on-strategy-in-the-anti...

We can also read texts that they draw on, as well as other reflections on recent struggles across the US, in Europe, and around the world.   Other options for reading include broader analyses of higher education (such as Marc Bousquet's How the University Works) and its history (such as Christopher Newfield's Unmaking the Public University: the Forty Year Assault on the Middle Class).

We will invite other education activists from around the world to join us in these discussions via blog conversations on common readings.

The time and day of the class will be determined by all participants through an online poll here:

http://www.doodle.com/tu42qxpnddmh6a3f

<.... more description coming soon!!!>

Locations

****The time of this class has changed. It will now be from 2-4 pm on Mondays and Wednesdays and will start on Wednesday, 6/23. We apologize for any inconvenience this change causes.****

Course description: Climate change presents a bold challenge to the way we develop our economies, organize our communities, and operate our daily lives. We now embark on an intense period of building solutions – a transition that will transform our energy systems, agriculture, urban structure, the global economy, and our everyday lives. Are we ready for this challenge? As scientists struggle with technology, leaders fight entrenched political and social assumptions, economists try to rethink global markets, and everyday people prepare to adapt, we will unravel the challenge of our century.  

This class is focused on providing a thorough understanding of issues surrounding creating green jobs and economic opportunity in our communities through climate and energy solutions. We will prepare ourselves with a background understanding of real and feasible alternatives to current unhealthy, polluting, and exploitative patterns of energy use.  

Is this about the environment? Development? Culture? Technology? Foreign policy? Social justice? Community empowerment? Your worldview? Global Citizenship? The answer is yes. With so many facets, we will encourage participants to work with us to develop a focus for their inquiry and identify outside readings, news sources, and initiatives for them to pursue, as well as strengthening initiatives participants are already involved in. 

Locations

Class is one of the divisions in American society that we don't talk about but should.  In this workshop, we'll confront issues of class, understand hidden class biases and discriminations, and talk about how to deal with it.   Through journaling, discussion, videos, and creative projects, we'll explore what class really means in America, how it affects life choices, politics, etc.

There will be no outside reading or homework for this class.

Location

Join Unsettling Minnesota for Unsettling Ourselves: A Discussion Group

Location

[[UPDATE: the class has already started, but you are welcome to join in at any time... Please see this blog for regular updates: http://excoradfeminisms.wordpress.com/ -- and email the facilitator at eli.meyerhoff@gmail.com if you'd like to join.]]

What is radical feminism today?  How can we incorporate radical feminist practices in our activism and everyday lives?

This class will approach these questions through reading and discussing contemporary feminist texts (reading 20-50 pages per week), and talking about these ideas in relation to our experiences and situations.  We will start with Nina Power's One Dimensional Woman, which critiques up-beat feminisms and offers a more anti-capitalist approach.  Nina is a rad philosopher and the author of a cool blog: infinite th0ught.  Here’s a blurb about the book:

Location

This course will be an overview of political ideologies. It will explain what ideologies are conceptually, explain and define specific, major ideologies, and address the relationship between ideologies in theory and as the labels are applied in practice. Ideologies can be considered at times as description and at other times as prescription. The label and concept meta-narrative will sometimes be used to refer to ideologies and other broad ideas about how to organize political communities and behavior.

There will be an initial defining of the concept of ideology and setting up general categories of issues they address in order to understand given ones.  Then individual ideologies will be reviewed and explained. The major ideologies to be addressed are: Democracy, Liberalism, Capitalism, Social Democracy, Socialism, Communism, Fascism, Totalitarian, Authoritarian, Monarchy, Libertarian, and Anarchism. The review will include looking at key similarities and differences, with emphasis on governing structures and economic systems.

Why is the idea of force always associated with violence and aggression? There is a whole field and ideology that utilizes nonviolent action to enact change that supports social and environmental justice. This course will examine the history, theories, techniques, and effectiveness of nonviolent action and civil disobedience.

We will explore a variety of topics, movements, and skills through lecture, films, readings, speakers, and discussions. The speakers will include nonviolent activists who've engaged in civilian disobedience themselves. The course will also include training in civil disobedience and direct nonviolent action. These will hopefully include training in direct action planning, support skills, basics of blockades, and introduction to climbing techniques. Through these trainings, you will learn the strategies for effective nonviolent protests and action.

In the spirit of experiential learning, we are open to the direction of the course based on student needs and interests. The vision and hope is to educate and inspire students to use what they've learned to support their own causes and make that "change you seek in the world," (Gandhi, one of the few well-known nonviolent activists).

Location

Want to learn how to get information out of the federal, state and local governments? Join a workshop facilitated by Twin Cities Indymedia, with special experts in the field explaining how government record works, and how to get the info out.

Tuesday March 23rd

With presentations from citizen information activist Rich Neumeister & data practices expert Don Gemberling.

Tuesday March 23
5:30-7:30pm
U of M West Bank, Blegen Hall 140
map: http://www1.umn.edu/twincities/maps/BlegH/

Citizens who question the Official Story of 9/11/01 are labeled Conspiracy Theorists and this is often the end of the discussion.  That is an easy way to avoid a conversation that is uncomfortable to many.  In this class, citizens are offered to take a non-political, non-emotional look at why millions of citizens of the nation and world have questioned the official story.  This setting offers open discourse on the investigations that took place. 

What do the conspiracy theorist know that we don't?  Why do they continue to question the official explanation?   Can we simply explain their opinions by calling them crazy and ignoring what they have to say?  What is the 9/11 Truth Movement?

Most citizens are unaware of a third WTC building (#7) that completely collapsed even though it was not hit by a plane.  This might be that it was never mentioned in a 428 page report by the 9/11 Commission even though it happened on the same day, in the same complex and in the same manner as the other two WTC buildings.  Not even a paragraph about it.   It also was reported collapsed by BBC and CNN prior to the collapse at 5:20 pm.  Where did they get their information?

Voices of historic Rondo the real truth   

Location

The Situationists, past and present, have explored the limits and possibilities of public space, from Derives to the Surveillance Camera Players.  We will read the texts and theories behind these explorations while at the same time, getting out and pushing the boundaries of our city.  Class will meet in a different location every week, have a brief discussion, go out and explore the city, and meet again to compare experiences.  We'll meet all four Saturdays in April, rain or shine.

Location

Students will read the Communist Manifesto, then attend the class to discuss
its contents, including relevance for today, guided by a prepared list of
discussion questions.

Location

The term culture jamming comes from broadcasting terminology for jamming the airwaves and involves ways of making your own media to counter the media messages we see every day. We’ll look at the history of culture jamming, including the Situationists International and the Yippies from the 1960s, feminist zines from the 1980s and 1990s, among others. We’ll watch movies, have discussion, and participate in some low cost/low tech (but potentially high visibility) culture jamming of our own.

Location

This course will provide an introduction to socialist politics and the ideas of Marxism.

*FIRST MEETING: Monday, September 28, 7pm, Blegen 115, West Bank, University of Minnesota

The current global economic crisis has led to a growing questioning of capitalism and increased interest in Marxism. Merriam-Webster reports that socialism was the third most searched-for term during 2008 in their online dictionary. Sales of The Communist Manifesto have skyrocketed, with Amazon.com reporting a 700% increase since the banking collapse.

While many have sought to dismiss socialism and Marxism as outdated, the growing polarization of wealth, brutal wars, environmental devastation, and global instability that have accompanied the current wave of corporate globalization have even forced many in the corporate media to acknowledge that Marx’s analysis – that capitalism leads to war, inequality, crisis, etc. – may have been right.

This class will provide an opportunity for participants to read and discuss some classic works of Marxism and get a basic understanding of Marxist analysis. At the same time, understanding that Marxism is not a rigid dogma, but a guide to action, we will focus on how to apply Marxist ideas in today’s world.

The class will meet every week or two, depending on people’s schedules, at a location yet to be determined. Topics examined will include Marxist analyses of economics, history, philosophy, the state, religion, the environment, alienation, women’s oppression, the media, and more. In addition to short lectures and a focus on discussion among class participants, the course will include movies and guest speakers. This course assumes no prior knowledge and is intended for anyone who would like an introduction to Marxism.

Location

Creating a World Peace Force

NAME OF FACILITATOR:

James Park

E-MAIL ADDRESS:

PARKx032@UMN.EDU

PHONE:

612-871-7275

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Even a movement requiring 100 years for completion
must begin with year one.
How many of the 7 billion people living on the Earth
would favor giving up their national armed forces
if there were a World Peace Force
to maintain world law-and-order?
Today probably less than 5% would agree to disarm.
But if each year this percentage
could be increased by 1 percentage point,
then about 100 years from now,
the World Peace Force would be fully operational.

Local police forces would still be required
to enforce all local, state, and national laws.
But the World Peace Force would prevent genocide
and keep all conflicts between nations non-violent.

This seminar will take place by means of a Facebook Page
of the same name: CREATING A WORLD PEACE FORCE.
On the Discussion Board of this Facebook Page,
we will present and discuss one theme per month.

Here are the scheduled discussions for the first year:

Blessed Are the Peacemakers
September 2011

World without War
October 2011

World Peace Force—100 Years for Transition
November 2011

The Meaning of Complete World Disarmament
December 2011

WHAT WOULD THE WORLD PEACE FORCE DO?
Disarm the Planet Earth—One Nation at a Time
January 2012

WHAT WOULD THE WORLD PEACE FORCE DO?
Eliminate all Weapons of Mass Death
February 2012

WHAT WOULD THE WORLD PEACE FORCE DO?
End all Military Dictatorships
March 2012

WHAT WOULD THE WORLD PEACE FORCE DO?
When National Governments Collapse
April 2012

WHAT WOULD THE WORLD PEACE FORCE DO?
Separate the Arabs and Jews in Palestine
May 2012

WHAT WOULD THE WORLD PEACE FORCE DO?
Separate Warring Factions in Iraq
June 2012

WHAT WOULD THE WORLD PEACE FORCE DO?
Disarm All Sides in Afghanistan
July 2012

Religious Prisons to Rehabilitate Islamic Terrorists

Location

Facilitator: John M. Schwarz
Email: civicedmsp@gmail.com Phone: 651 442-8899
DATES: June 18th--July 16. Thursdays for 5 Weeks.
CLASS TIME: 6:30—8:30 pm, Thursdays.
LOCATION 155 Ford Hall. U of M--East Bank campus
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CHANGE IN CLASS STRUCURE CHANGE IN CLASS STRUCURE NOW WEEKS 2 & 3 COMBINED

A seminar that serves as an introduction to the current US health system, basic health economic theory, European systems, and reform proposals. Special emphasis on public systems—single-payer and its variations. A look at single-payer movement’s strategies and suggested reforms. This course doesn't address medical issues. No special prior knowledge required. The material will be detailed enough to serve those wanting an advanced overview, but general enough to be a good basic introduction. The emphasis will be on lecture and discussion. There will be some suggested readings, none required. No assignments, but instructor willing to evaluate written work students want to submit.
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• Week 1. Overview of scope of health systems and reforms in particular. Introduction to US system: Public programs, employers, individuals. Federal regulations. State regulation. Beginner introduction to US reform proposals: Consumer-Driven, Mandate, Public Pools, Single-payer.
• Week 2. Health economics. An analysis of health care/insurance as different from typical goods and services. Focus on health systems in Western nations. In-depth look at Single-Payer. European success vs. failure in the US.

Name of facilitator:

James Park

E-mail:

PARKx032@TC.UMN.EDU

Phone:

612-871-7275

Course description:

VOLUNTARY POVERTY:
HOW TO SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE

Would you like to meet other people who live simply?
This seminar has become a gathering place
for people already committed to voluntary simplicity.

What ideas do you have for saving money?

This seminar will be an opportunity to share our experiences
of living on much less than most people think is essential.
Can we be happy earning and spending less than $10,000 per year?

How do you obtain the small amount of money you need to survive?
How do you manage to spend so much less than other people?
Can any of your techniques be used by others?

Here is the comprehensive course description for this class:
Voluntary Poverty: How to Simplify Your Life,
http://www.tc.umn.edu/~parkx032/D-VP.html

Here you will find more details about the life-style of the facilitator,
who lives at 75% of the federal poverty level.
You will also learn more about our Facebook Page,
which is called "Simple Living in the Twin Cities".
(There is also more about our Facebook Page
at the bottom of this course description.)

This workshop will be just one meeting of two hours.
This should be enough to share ideas for living cheaply.

If you would like to know how I save money on electricity, for example
(paying only $21 per month), go to:
http://www.tc.umn.edu/~parkx032/CY-ELEC.html

If you would like to read some books on simplifying your life,
go to the Simplicity Bibliography:
http://www.tc.umn.edu/%7Eparkx032/B-SIMP.html

TIME:

The February 2010 meeting of this seminar
was attended by about 12 people.
We are likely to have another gathering soon.

Location