Marxism conference

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International Socialist Organization (ISO)

ABOUT

Harvard University

_ The Science Center

1 Oxford Street

Cambridge, MA, 02138

November 12 - 13

New England Marxism Conference!Capitalism is not working. Socialism is the alternative—a world organized for human need, not profit greed, where resources are controlled by and for the vast majority, instead of by a tiny rich minority. Millions of people are fighting back against the ills that this broken capitalist system has created. From Egypt to Wisconsin to Athens to Boston---people are standing up and fighting back. People are taking to the streets, occupying public squares and capital buildings and saying enough to the attack on ordinary working class people. Marxism provides a revolutionary understanding of society and provides the strategy for ridding society of exploitation and oppression once and for all. This conference will give activists a chance to discuss the burning questions that are arising during this current rise in struggle. People from around New England will have the opportunity to have core political discussions on Marxism, the importance of the working class and that not only is revolution needed, but that is very much possible. If you fought against the criminal injustice system to save the life of Troy Davis, if you are energized and excited about the Occupy movement and the struggles from around the world or just sick and tired of this unjust society, a society with rampant unemployment, poverty, war, opression, exploitation, and environomental destruction--then this conference is for you! Sponsored by the International Socialist Organization (http://www.internationalsocialist.org/) and www.socialistworker.org
Schedule

Saturday10 Registration11 Opening PlenaryWhy Marx was right [Ashley Smith]12 Lunch1-2:45 Session 1:No power greater: Marxism and the centrality of class [Shaun Harkin]Slavery and the origins of racism [Jonah Birch]Theories of women's oppression [Leia Petty]3-4:45 Session 2:The Minneapolis Teamster Strike of 1934: a case study in working class power [Tristin Aidie]The Black freedom struggle from Martin to the Black Panthers [Brian Jones]The roots of racial oppression [Jonah Birch]5-6:45 Session 3:The changing working class and the future of the labor movement [Ashley Smith]Black liberation and socialism [Khury Petersen-Smith]Can the working class liberate the oppressed? [Sherry Wolf]7 Dinner8 Evening PlenaryIs revolution possible in the US? [Sherry Wolf]Sunday11-12:45 Workshop Session 1:How to build an ISO branch [Shaun Harkin]The United Front: Socialists and movements [Hadas Their]1 Lunch2 - 3:45 Workshop Session 2:Why we need a revolutionary party [Dave Rory]What is the real Marxist tradition? [Kyle Brown]

Readings READINGS:-Origins of racismLance Selfa, The Roots of Racism (http://socialistworker.org/2010/10/21/the-roots-of-racism)-Theories of Womens oppressionSharon Smith, Women and Socialism (Haymarket books) Chapters 1 (The Origin of Women's Oppression) and 5 (Women and Socialism)Additional readings: Lindsey German, Theories of Patriarchy, (http://www.isj.org.uk/?id=240); Alexandra Kollontai, The Social Basis of the Woman Question (http://marxists.org/archive/kollonta/1909/social-basis.htm)-No power greater: Marxism and the centrality of classHal Draper, Karl Marxs Theory of Revolution: volume 2, The Politics of Socials Classes, chapters 2-3Additional readings: Hal Draper, The Principle of self-emancipation in Marx and Engels (http://www.marxists.org/archive/draper/1971/xx/emancipation.html)-The black freedom struggle from martin to the Black Panthers:Ahmed Shawki, Black Liberation and Socialism (Haymarket books), Chapters 8-11-The roots of racial oppressionLance Selfa, The Roots of Racism (http://socialistworker.org/2010/10/21/the-roots-of-racism); Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, Race, Class and Marxism (http://socialistworker.org/2011/01/04/race-class-and-marxism) -The Minneapolis Teamster Strike of 1934: a case study in working class powerIrving Bernstein, The Turbulent Years (Haymarket books), chapter 6, Eruption (read at least 217-252)Additional readings: Farrell Dobbs, Teamster Rebellion-Black Liberation and SocialismKeenga Taylor, Race, Class, and Marxism (http://socialistworker.org/2011/01/04/race-class-and-marxism)Additional readings: Ahmed Shawki, Black Liberation and Socialism, Chapter 7 (Socialists, Communists, and Trotskyists) and Conclusion (Black Liberation and Socilailism; Pauld DAmato, Race and the US Socialist Tradition (http://socialistworker.org/2010/11/18/race-and-us-socialist-tradition) -Can the working class liberate the oppressed?Paul DAmato, Where Oppression Comes From, (http://socialistworker.org/2009/10/09/where-oppression-comes-from)Jen Roesch, Can the Working Class Unite? (http://socialistworker.org/2010/11/04/can-the-working-class-unite)Additional readings: Sharon Smith, Marxism and Identity Politics (http://socialistworker.org/2008/07/11/marxism-and-identity-politics); Ahmed Shawki, Black Liberation and Socialism, Chapter 7 and Conclusion-The changing working class and the future of the labor movementAdam Turl, Is the US becoming Post-Industrial? (http://www.isreview.org/issues/52/postindustrial.shtml)Sharon Smith, The Future in the Present: Marxism, Unions, and Class Struggle (http://www.isreview.org/issues/78/feat-marxism&unions.shtml)Additional reading: Kim Moody, US Labor in Trouble and Transition (Verso 2007)

Register

Register online for the New England Marxism Conference
You'll be able to register at the conference itself if seats are still available, but registering online will ensure you get in.

$20 Regular

$10 Reduced

$5 Student

Contact us

CONTACT US
Massachusettswww.bostonsocialism.orgCambridge Branch meets every Thursday, 7pm, YMCA, 820 Mass Ave, Cambridge Boston Branch meets every Thursday, 7pm, Haymarket People's Fund, 42 Seaverns Ave, Jamaica Plain Harvard Branch Meet every Thurday, 7pm, Fireside Room, Dudley House, Lehman HallHarvard University, Cambridge, MAUMASS Branch Meet every Thursday from 7 - 9 PM Wheatley Building 1st floor room 30http://isonoho.blogspot.com/AMHERST, MASS.Meetings are on Thursdays at 7 p.m. in the Campus Center at UMass-Amherst. contact_isonoho.orgConnecticutNEW HAVEN, CONN.Meetings are Wednesdays at 6 p.m. at Dwight Hall, Yale University. NewHaven.ISO_gmail.comRhode IslandPROVIDENCE, R.I.Meetings are on Thursdays at 7 p.m.info_risocialism.orgVermont Burlington, VermontThursday, Integrated Arts Academy, 6 Archibald Street, Old North End, BurlingtonUVM SocialistsWe are currently sorting out a regular meeting space, please email us cruiseraurora1917_gmail.comwww.socialistworker.orgwww.internationalsocialist.org

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Marxism conference