Interdependent Study

There will be no justice for any of us unless there is justice for the Palestinian people. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the piece “Angela Davis: Standing with Palestinians” by Angela Davis in Hammer & Hope, which shares her brilliant reflections on the past 60+ years of the state of Israel and Palestine’s relationship with one another and the globe, as well as the movement and organizing work that has been done to fight for peace in that region and for justice for Palestinians, and what we learn and take away from this incredible piece in our continued work and fight for collective liberation.

We must protect all of our rights, especially our right to protest, at all costs. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the piece “The War on Protest” by Adam Federman in In These Times, which analyzes the recent rise in political repression and the government’s criminalization of dissent, protest, and social movements, and what we learn and take away from this piece as pressing imperatives for our work and for our continued fight for social justice and collective liberation.

We all deserve to live in a world where we collectively have everything we need to live and thrive. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the book Practicing New Worlds: Abolition and Emergent Strategies by Andrea J. Ritchie, which analyzes the concept of emergent strategies and current abolitionist practices and explores how emergent strategies can help us to focus organizing efforts to create a world without the violence of policing, surveillance, prisons, and the criminal punishment system, and what we learn and take away from this incredible book in our continued fight for collective liberation.

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Community-based public safety is essential to providing our communities and people with the resources they need to live and thrive. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the Healing and Justice Center’s 2023 Annual Report, which outlines the organization’s efforts to enact true community-based public safety initiatives in Miami, and what we learn from the Healing and Justice Center’s work in our continued learning and fight for social justice and collective liberation.

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We must have the courage to stand up for what’s right regarding Palestine. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the piece “The Courage to Disagree” by Derecka Purnell in Hammer & Hope, which analyzes how Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s words and beliefs have been used by leaders and politicians to advance their own social and political agendas, especially in regards to Israel and Palestine, and what we learn from this piece and Dr. King’s worldview in our continued learning and fight for social justice and collective liberation.

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Here's a brief solo episode from Aaron where he discusses the targeted bombings of the World Central Kitchen staff members, the man-made famine, and continuing to take action for a ceasefire and for freedom for Palestinians.

We must figure out what liberation could look like so everyone can live the life they deserve. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the book Rehearsals for Living by Robyn Maynard and Leanne Betasamosake Simpson, which compiles letters written by the authors to each other analyzing the histories, lived experiences, and struggles of Black and Indigenous communities around the world and offering possibilities for abolition and more liberatory futures, and what we take away from this incredible book in our continued learning and unlearning work for collective liberation.

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While there is a constant demand for civility in our society, we must understand the impact that civil disobedience can and should play in our fight for collective liberation. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the piece “The Limits of Civil Disobedience” by Keyvan Golsorkhi in Non-Profit Quarterly, which explores and analyzes the roles that civil and uncivil disobedience have played in our society and the need for protest and disruptive disobedience to fight injustice and dismantle oppression, and what we learn and take away from this piece in our continued learning and fight for social justice and collective liberation.

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Understanding the perspectives of Black Americans on community safety, policing, and the criminal punishment system is paramount to the fight for abolition. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss a report from the Movement for Black Lives and GenForward called “Perspectives on Community Safety from Black America”, which shares and analyzes the results of their national survey measuring Black people’s experiences with policing and incarceration and their feelings about alternatives to these systems, as well as how organizers should frame their work and efforts to reduce the power, influence, and reach of the prison industrial complex, and what we learn and take away from this report in our continued learning and unlearning work for collective liberation.

The Left’s fight against the Right in 2024 (and beyond) is a battle that must be won. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss a piece from In These Times called “The Right is Prepared For This Moment. Are We?”, which features a conversation with Jamelle Bouie, Alex Han, Nancy MacLean, Tarso Luís Ramos, and Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò about the Left's role in fighting the Right in the context of the 2024 presidential election and beyond, and what we learn and take away from this conversation in our continued learning and fight for collective liberation.

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None of us are free until we are all free. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss a piece titled “When Abolitionists Say ‘Free Them All,’ We Mean Palestine Too” by Nadine Naber in Truthout, which argues that the fight for abolition and the fight for Palestinian liberation are one and the same and the clear connections that exist between the systems and structures of incarceration, anti-migrant violence, and U.S. conquest, and what we learn and take away from this piece in our continued learning work and fight for collective liberation.

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The ongoing fight against capitalism and white supremacism requires radical Black anarchism. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the book The Nation on No Map: Black Anarchism and Abolition by William C. Anderson, which explores state power, abolition, and ideological tensions within the struggle for Black liberation while centering the politics of radical Black anarchism and Black autonomy, and what we learn from this outstanding book and analysis in our continued understanding of and work for abolition and collective liberation.

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Racism, white supremacy, and anti-Blackness are baked into the fabric of this country. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the documentary “Stamped From The Beginning”, which is based on Ibram X. Kendi’s book by the same name and explores the history of racist ideas and myths in the United States, and what we learn and take away from this incredible film in our continued learning work and pursuit of collective liberation.

Abolitionist organizing must include a focus on abolishing family policing as part of its work. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss a piece called “No More Family Policing” by Eleanor J. Bader in Inquest, which explores family policing in the context of our criminal punishment, education, and social services systems, and what we learn from this incredible piece in our continued learning work and fight for abolition and collective liberation.

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The power, reach, and legacy of Israel's military industrial complex is immense. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the book The Palestine Laboratory: How Israel Exports the Technology of Occupation Around the World by Antony Loewenstein, which presents and explores a historical summary of how Israel has developed a world-class military industrial complex and weapons industry with equipment and tools tested on occupied Palestinians, and what we learn from this compelling book in our continued work for collective liberation.

It is important to understand the complexity of class and race and how they can interact in such a way that becomes a barrier to progress. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the piece “Black Class Matters” by Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor in Hammer & Hope, which explores the intersections and implications of class and race for Black Americans in politics and life, and what we learn from this analysis in our continued learning work and fight for collective liberation.

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The great migration in reverse theory is a compelling idea for Black Americans to consider. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the documentary South to Black Power, which follows author and op-ed journalist Charles M. Blow as he explores the great migration in reverse theory as a strategy for Black Americans to move south and gain greater political power, and what we take away from this compelling documentary film in our continued learning work and fight for collective liberation.

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2023 is almost wrapped so it’s time for our last episode of the year! Listen as Aaron and Damien reflect on the past year of our podcast, and each share our top 5 moments from the show. Thank you for listening to Interdependent Study! We’ll see you in 2024!

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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 Tool, and what we continue to learn from this great resource in our continued learning and unlearning work for abolition, social justice, and collective liberation.

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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 what we learn and take away from this incredible resource in our continued learning and unlearning work for abolition, social justice, and collective liberation.

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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 take away from this incredible book in our work for social justice and collective liberation.

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 learn and take away from this history and analysis for our continued work for social justice and collective liberation.

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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 this organizing in our continued learning and unlearning work for social justice and collective liberation.

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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 from Maria Thomas’ reflections about the health justice organizing work as an essential part of abolitionist organizing in our continued work for social justice and collective liberation. Follow us on social media and visit our website!

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 Together as Things Fall Apart), and what we learn and can do with this insight and analysis in our continued work for social justice and collective liberation.

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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-sanctioned violence, provides an analysis for understanding their susceptibility to this violence, and outlines what we can do to fight against this violence for racial justice, and what we learn and take away from this incredible book that continues to fuel our work for social justice and collective liberation.

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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 address it, and what all of us should do and demand regarding the Supreme Court in our continued fight for true social justice.

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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 victories achieved by the modern abolitionist movement, and what we learn and can do to support the future of the movement and the continued fight for social justice and collective liberation.

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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 officials to suppress our right to dissent, and what we actually need for true public safety and must do to continue our fight for social justice and collective liberation.

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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 Black people in the south (and beyond), and what we learn from this history and the present day applications of SNCC’s work and legacy that can help us in our continued learning and work for social justice and collective liberation.

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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, organizers, and leaders who, through their work, teach us about Black history and culture, literature, political theory, feminism, abolition, sociology, gender studies, LGBTQ history, antiracism, and more, and what we learn from this incredible book and can do to fight back against the social and political forces working to discredit Black Studies and history and to continue our learning for social justice and collective liberation.

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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 the work necessary to curtail capitalism and corporate greed, and what we continue to learn about unions in our work for social justice and collective liberation.

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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 what we learn and take away from this brilliant book in our continued work for social justice and collective liberation.

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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 by workers across the country and the goals of the fight against corporate greed and unfair working conditions, and what we learn about and from this summer’s “hot labor summer” in our continued work for social justice and collective liberation.

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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 sexuality, and how this analysis of how class is represented in the media influences our thinking and society, and what that means for social justice and collective liberation.

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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 this incredible book and resource as we continue to push for all forms of abolition and fight for social justice and collective liberation.

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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 of these decisions will mean for our everyday lives and our collective liberation.

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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, and what we learn from this incredible resource about what is needed during this time of enduring crisis in order to take care of ourselves and each other and to best do the work of social justice and collective liberation.

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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 from their work, and what we learn and can do to join, support, and amplify their work for social justice and collective liberation.

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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 abolition, and what we learn about these many forms of state violence and what we can do to support the ongoing movements for their abolition and for social justice.

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The persistence of police violence in this country necessitates the need for abolition and the fight for real community safety. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss a report written by Andrea Ritchie for Interrupting Criminalization called “The Struggle Continues”, which analyzes the state of the organizing work of the #DefundPolice movement in this country, and how we need to fight for and invest in programs, services, and institutions that actually promote our collective liberation, safety and well-being.

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The homeless sweeps that are happening around the country are incredibly violent and traumatizing for unhoused people. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss two pieces, including “Homeless ‘Sweeps’ Increase Mortality Rates of Unhoused People, Research Finds” by Zane McNeill in Truthout and a report called “Homelessness and Racial Disparities” by the National Alliance to End Homelessness, and what we learn about these homeless sweeps and the current issues and trends related to homelessness in this country, as well as what our society should do to address the systems and conditions that fail people in order to hopefully bring an end to homelessness in this country.

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The FBI and U.S. government labeled Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as “the most dangerous man in America”. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the book The Radical King by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., which is a collection of essays and speeches by Dr. King that showcase his revolutionary and radical vision for social justice in America and around the globe, his beliefs about nonviolent movement and organizing, and his fight against global imperialism (and more), and what we learn and take away from this incredible book and Dr. King’s legacy for our continued work for social justice and collective liberation.

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