This month, members of the American Studies Association (ASA) are voting on a resolution, which has already been endorsed unanimously by its National Council, that represents the left-wing tradition of “solidarity” in a most dubious form. It proposes “to honor …
When John Kerry insisted this week that Israelis and Palestinians are closer to a peaceful conciliation than they have been in years (presumably since the collapse of the Oslo peace process in 2000), one could hear the rolling transatlantic snigger. …
Sarah and Michelle talk about Washington’s epic fail on unemployment benefits, rampant labor violations by companies operating on federal contracts, Chris Hayes and the union drive at an NBC subsidiary, and a recap of last week’s #LowPayisNotOkay protests. Plus voices from 32BJ and the Alliance for Quality Education.
Earlier this week, members of the GSOC (Graduate Student Organizing Committee) -UAW bargaining unit at New York University voted overwhelmingly (620 to 10) for union recognition. The result means that GSOC is (once again) the first graduate-employee union at a …
For the first time in a long time, the jobs report offered mostly good news. The last month saw decent job growth (just over 200,000, alongside an upward revision to the October numbers), and not just in low-wage sectors. An …
The declaration of a united Islamic opposition by leading Syrian rebel groups last month was particularly awkward for those of us who continue to insist that sectarianism does not explain the country’s ongoing conflict. With fighters on both sides violently …
Justin Timberlake is “bringing unions back,” sushi workers win a settlement for wage theft, France may be cracking down on sex work, and last week’s strikes. Sarah and Michelle discuss discuss this and more, featuring interviews with Walmart worker organizer Colby Harris and Greg Jones of the Association of Western Pulp and Paper Workers.
In memory of Nelson Mandela, we present the following selections from Dissent essays on South African politics over the last thirty years.
In my essay on the German left in the fall issue of Dissent, I wrote that the likeliest outcome of the general election that was about to take place was a grand coalition of the Christian Democrats and the Social Democrats. …
Since the end of the Communist regime, Poles have celebrated their Independence Day on November 11. Under conservative governments, marches on November 11 have become expressions of national chauvinism and homophobia, punctuated by outbursts of violence.
This week, Michelle and Sarah share some good and bad news, including suggestions from listeners and a look forward to the Black Friday actions at Walmart next week. Journalist Liza Featherstone joins them to talk about Walmart’s corporate culture and the challenges it poses to organizing. They conclude with thoughts on Seattle’s new socialist city council member and the value of solidarity.
Today at 4:30 p.m., the Colin L. Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership at the City College of New York is holding a tribute to our departed friend and colleague Marshall Berman. 4:30-6:30 p.m. The Great Hall, Shepard Hall …
There are many reasons to wish John Kennedy had dodged those rifle shots in Dallas fifty years ago this week. One that’s rarely mentioned is how his martyrdom raised expectations for future presidents that are nearly impossible to meet. Liberals, …
The concept of “sympathy” has seen better days. Since the 1970s, as the politics of poverty moved from social movements to NGOs, the language of “sympathy” has become, in the minds of many activists and academics, irredeemably tainted—an iron fist …
