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Saturday Free School for Philosophy and Black Liberation

Saturday Free School for Philosophy and Black Liberation

By Saturday Free School

Our weekly analysis of philosophy, history and current events through the life and works of W.E.B. Du Bois, James Baldwin, and Martin Luther King, Jr.

The Saturday Free School is committed to the political and ideological education of the people. In this regard we are more than a school, we are an instrument of the people. We seek ideological clarity, theoretical sophistication and a practice of principled unity. We investigate the logics of social movements, and methods of radical and revolutionary organizing.
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[Day 1 of 2] Bangabandhu, Biswhabandhu (Friend of Bengal, Friend of the World): Commemorating Sheikh Mujibur Rahman

Saturday Free School for Philosophy and Black LiberationApr 26, 2021

00:00
03:04:02
Year of Baldwin Reading Groups Begin (Saturday Free School 3/9/24)

Year of Baldwin Reading Groups Begin (Saturday Free School 3/9/24)

We discuss our next event of the Year of James Baldwin on April 4. We also discuss how the reading groups are going

Mar 24, 202403:30:29
Oppenheimer and Martin Luther King, Judith Butler and James Baldwin (Saturday Free School 3/16/24)

Oppenheimer and Martin Luther King, Judith Butler and James Baldwin (Saturday Free School 3/16/24)

We share updates on planning for our April 4th Year of Baldwin event and report back on the “Philly Reads Baldwin” reading groups. We also discuss Oppenheimer, the father of the atomic bomb, and Martin Luther King, the father of the new American people. Lastly, we discuss Judith Butler, fourth wave feminism, and James Baldwin.

Mar 24, 202403:25:37
April 4 and 6 Event on King's Beyond Vietnam (Saturday Free School 3/23/24)

April 4 and 6 Event on King's Beyond Vietnam (Saturday Free School 3/23/24)

We discuss preparations for our upcoming April 4th and 6th event commemorating Martin Luther King's "Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence" speech, as part of the Year of James Baldwin.

Mar 24, 202403:27:49
Revolutionary Time and Understanding Baldwin as an Indispensable Revolutionary (Saturday Free School 3/2/24)

Revolutionary Time and Understanding Baldwin as an Indispensable Revolutionary (Saturday Free School 3/2/24)

We discuss the revolutionary historical chronology and James Baldwin’s place in it. We also prepare for framing the reading groups of the Year of James Baldwin.

Mar 03, 202403:53:29
Assessing Year of Baldwin Inauguration and Abandon Biden Movement (Saturday Free School 2/24/24)

Assessing Year of Baldwin Inauguration and Abandon Biden Movement (Saturday Free School 2/24/24)

We assess the inauguration of Year of James Baldwin and the first podcast episode, as well as discuss how we’re preparing for the reading groups. We also discuss the press conference announcing the Abandon Biden movement in Philly and the 2024 election.

Mar 03, 202403:34:12
Year of James Baldwin and People of Philadelphia Read Baldwin (Saturday Free School 2/10/24)

Year of James Baldwin and People of Philadelphia Read Baldwin (Saturday Free School 2/10/24)

We talk about our final preparations for the inauguration of Year of James Baldwin. We also explore our thinking about the reading groups as part of the People of Philadelphia Read James Baldwin.

Mar 03, 202403:39:19
The Crisis of the Two Party System (Saturday Free School 2/3/24)

The Crisis of the Two Party System (Saturday Free School 2/3/24)

We discuss the crisis of the U.S. two party system, and whether there is a way to reform the system. Also, we examine the prospects for new radical revolutionary parties. Lastly, we report on where we are in the inaugural event for the Year of James Baldwin as well as the status of Issue II of Avant Garde Journal.

Mar 03, 202403:53:15
2024 Election and the Political Crisis of the Nation (Saturday Free School 1/27/24)

2024 Election and the Political Crisis of the Nation (Saturday Free School 1/27/24)

We discuss what’s happening in the 2024 election in light of Trump’s Iowa and New Hampshire victories, and what is happening among young voters, Black people, Hispanics, and the working class. Will Biden be the Democratic candidate in 2024? We also discuss what is the fate of the delusional left, including CPUSA, PSL, DSA, and the liberal left like Bernie Sanders and others. Lastly, we discuss Cornel West’s candidacy.

Feb 04, 202403:40:25
Assessing the March on Washington for Gaza (Saturday Free School 1/13/24)

Assessing the March on Washington for Gaza (Saturday Free School 1/13/24)

We assess the March on Washington for Gaza that happened last Saturday. We also report on where we are for the inauguration of the Year of James Baldwin.

Feb 04, 202403:43:54
The Ideological History of the Modern World and Crisis of American Empire (Saturday Free School 1/6/24)

The Ideological History of the Modern World and Crisis of American Empire (Saturday Free School 1/6/24)

This Saturday, we discuss the ideological history of the modern world and the crisis of American empire.

Jan 06, 202403:46:24
2024: A year of war, economic uncertainty, presidential election, and 100th anniv. of James Baldwin (Saturday Free School 12/30/23)

2024: A year of war, economic uncertainty, presidential election, and 100th anniv. of James Baldwin (Saturday Free School 12/30/23)

We discuss 2024: A year of war, economic uncertainty, the most consequential presidential election in U.S. history, and the 100th anniversary of the birth of James Arthur Baldwin. The Saturday Free School wishes you a Happy New Year.

Jan 01, 202403:18:25
Patti LaBelle, Rhythm & Blues, and the Political Realignment in U.S. (Saturday Free School 12/16/23)

Patti LaBelle, Rhythm & Blues, and the Political Realignment in U.S. (Saturday Free School 12/16/23)

We discuss Patti LaBelle, and we also discuss the political realignment in the U.S.

Jan 01, 202403:14:01
Christianity in America and Its Undoing (Saturday Free School 12/23/23)
Jan 01, 202403:14:01
The Year of James Baldwin and Deepening U.S. Political Crisis (12/9/23 Saturday Free School)
Dec 12, 202303:33:02
King's "A New Sense of Direction" and Year of James Baldwin (12/2/23 Saturday Free School)
Dec 12, 202303:22:10
New and Emerging Peace Movement (Saturday Free School 11/25/23)

New and Emerging Peace Movement (Saturday Free School 11/25/23)

This week we discuss what a new and emerging peace movement means for the possibilities of new democracy emerging, including the United States.

Nov 27, 202303:27:24
Report on Winston Symposium, Gaza, and the 2024 Election (Saturday Free School 11/18/23)

Report on Winston Symposium, Gaza, and the 2024 Election (Saturday Free School 11/18/23)

We report back an assessment of our symposium on Henry Winston. We report on continuing genocide against Gaza and protests. Lastly, we report on the 2024 election, the Democratic Party, and the Philadelphia election.

Nov 27, 202303:42:15
Next Week's Henry Winston Symposium (Saturday Free School 11/4/23)

Next Week's Henry Winston Symposium (Saturday Free School 11/4/23)

We report back on the progress being made for the journal being released during next week's symposium, Avant-Garde. We also discuss the Henry Winston Symposium, which will take place on November 11th doors opening at 9AM and November 12th doors opening at 12PM.

Nov 05, 202302:17:13
Henry Winston, Korea and Palestine, and the Struggle for Peace (Saturday Free School 10/28/23)

Henry Winston, Korea and Palestine, and the Struggle for Peace (Saturday Free School 10/28/23)

We read aloud Dr. Monteiro's essay on Henry Winston. We also read aloud and discuss Jeremiah's presentation on Korea and Palestine. Finally, we update on preparations for the Henry Winston symposium, which will be on November 11th & 12th at the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia.

Nov 05, 202303:12:18
Israel's War Against Palestinians, Possibilities of World War, and the Fight for Peace (Saturday Free School 10/21/23)

Israel's War Against Palestinians, Possibilities of World War, and the Fight for Peace (Saturday Free School 10/21/23)

We discuss Israel genocide against Palestinians in its ongoing war and whether the world is moving to world war. We also discuss the presidential race and the Biden administration. Finally, we update on preparations for the Henry Winston symposium.

Oct 22, 202303:48:39
Israel's War on Gaza (Saturday Free School 10/7/23)

Israel's War on Gaza (Saturday Free School 10/7/23)

We discuss the Israeli war on Palestinians and Gaza. We also discuss Putin’s recent speech on civilization.

Oct 22, 202303:30:14
Henry Winston Symposium, Avant-Garde Journal, and 2024 Election (Saturday Free School 9/30/23)

Henry Winston Symposium, Avant-Garde Journal, and 2024 Election (Saturday Free School 9/30/23)

We report on the organizing for our Henry Winston symposium in November, as well as the journal Avant-Garde. We also assess where we are in terms of the 2024 election.

Oct 08, 202303:18:21
Democrat-Republican Collapse and Reading James Baldwin (Saturday Free School 10/7/23)

Democrat-Republican Collapse and Reading James Baldwin (Saturday Free School 10/7/23)

This Saturday, we discuss whether the two parties of the state—the Democrats and Republicans—are on the verge of collapse. We also discuss James Baldwin's novels and how to approach reading them, as well as what we can learn for the Year of Baldwin from the Lotus group's reading of Baldwin at Penn.

Oct 08, 202303:47:03
Free Jazz, November Henry Winston Symposium (Saturday Free School 9/23/23)

Free Jazz, November Henry Winston Symposium (Saturday Free School 9/23/23)

We discuss free jazz and Archie Shepp-Bill Dixon Quartet's performance at the 8th World Festival of Youth and Students in Helsinki in 1962. We also provide an update on our preparations for the November Henry Winston symposium commemorating the 50th anniversary of his book, "Strategy for a Black Agenda."

Sep 23, 202304:21:23
The Crisis of Neocolonialism, George Soros (Saturday Free School 9/16/23)

The Crisis of Neocolonialism, George Soros (Saturday Free School 9/16/23)

We continue our discussion of Kwame Nkrumah's "Neocolonialism," the crisis of neocolonialism, and the recent G20 summit. We also continue our discussion of George Soros.

Sep 23, 202303:22:44
Kwame Nkrumah's Neocolonialism and Political Realignment Toward New Democracy (Saturday Free School 9/9/23)

Kwame Nkrumah's Neocolonialism and Political Realignment Toward New Democracy (Saturday Free School 9/9/23)

We discuss Kwame Nkrumah's "Neocolonialism", the crisis of neocolonialism, and the crisis of the US empire.

Sep 10, 202303:45:16
Theory of the State and Du Bois in a Time of Crisis (Saturday Free School 9/2/23)

Theory of the State and Du Bois in a Time of Crisis (Saturday Free School 9/2/23)

This Saturday, we discuss The State in theory and practice, and in a time of deep political crisis. We also discuss what Du Bois means in this time of crisis.

Sep 02, 202303:37:46
2024 Presidential Election and Coretta Scott King (Saturday Free School 8/25/23)

2024 Presidential Election and Coretta Scott King (Saturday Free School 8/25/23)

We discuss that the political path of all progressives in 2024 is to defeat Biden. We also complete our discussion of Coretta Scott King.

Aug 31, 202303:31:27
Pan-Africanism, the Black Liberation Struggle, and Niger (Saturday Free School 8/12/23)
Aug 13, 202303:51:50
Indictment of Trump and Martin Wolf (Saturday Free School 8/5/23)

Indictment of Trump and Martin Wolf (Saturday Free School 8/5/23)

This week, we discuss the federal indictment of President Trump and recent polls of the 2024 Presidential election. We also discuss Archishman Raju's review of Martin Wolf's book "The Crisis of Democratic Capitalism".

Aug 06, 202303:39:17
Summer of Strikes and Oppenheimer (Saturday Free School 7/29/23)

Summer of Strikes and Oppenheimer (Saturday Free School 7/29/23)

This past Saturday, we discussed the "Summer of Strikes," as well as the recent film "Oppenheimer."

Jul 30, 202303:39:53
The Black Prophetic Tradition and the Revolutionary Struggle for Democracy (7/22/23)

The Black Prophetic Tradition and the Revolutionary Struggle for Democracy (7/22/23)

We discuss the Black Prophetic Tradition and the revolutionary struggle for democracy.

Jul 29, 202302:45:36
America's Domestic Political Struggle (Saturday Free School 7/15/23)

America's Domestic Political Struggle (Saturday Free School 7/15/23)

We return to the thesis of Richard Haass, the retiring head of the Council of Foreign Relations, that the greatest challenge to America's foreign and military policy is the domestic political struggle. In this light we examine the 50 or so Republican members of Congress calling for an end to military funding for Ukraine and withdrawal from NATO. We look at the editor of Jacobin Bhaskar Sunkara's argument against Cornel West running as the Green Party's candidate. Lastly, we discuss the possibility of building a peace industrial economy, and Trotskyism's position on war and peace.

Jul 29, 202303:36:52
The Possibility of a Transition to New Domestic and International Democracy (Saturday Free School 7/8/23)

The Possibility of a Transition to New Domestic and International Democracy (Saturday Free School 7/8/23)

We discuss whether the current domestic and global crises can lead to a transition to a new domestic and international democracy.

Jul 11, 202303:36:01
Supreme Court Affirmative Action Decision and the Decline of the Left (Saturday Free School 7/1/23)

Supreme Court Affirmative Action Decision and the Decline of the Left (Saturday Free School 7/1/23)

We discuss the recent Supreme Court decision on affirmative action and what it means. Then we return to a discussion of the 2024 election and the imminent decline of and growing irrelevancy of the Left in both its broad and narrow definitions.

Jul 01, 202303:44:08
Assessing Our Intercivilizational Festival & Discussing 2024 Election (Saturday Free School 6/24/23)

Assessing Our Intercivilizational Festival & Discussing 2024 Election (Saturday Free School 6/24/23)

We discuss our recent intercivilizational festival, "Unconquered Love: The Magnificent Lives of Paul Robeson and the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad" in Philadelphia. We then continue our discussion on the presidential candidacies of Cornel West, Robert F. Kennedy Jr, and Donald Trump for the 2024 election.

Jun 26, 202303:39:42
Cornel West's Presidential Run (Saturday Free School 6/10/23)
Jun 26, 202303:25:32
Our Upcoming Event Celebrating Paul Robeson and the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad (Saturday Free School 6/3/23)

Our Upcoming Event Celebrating Paul Robeson and the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad (Saturday Free School 6/3/23)

We give an update on our June 17th event celebrating Paul Robeson and the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad, "Unconquered Love: The Magnificent Lives of Paul Robeson and the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad." We discuss our event's relationship to our recent event in Chicago for Paul Robeson's 125th birthday, including Mosque Maryam's mention of the Saturday Free School. Then we continue our reading of Hegel's Science of Logic.

Jun 26, 202304:01:43
Chicago Paul Robeson Celebration (Saturday Free School 5/27/23)

Chicago Paul Robeson Celebration (Saturday Free School 5/27/23)

We report on Paul Robeson celebration in Chicago.

May 28, 202303:19:14
Philly Mayoral Election and Continuing Hegel's Science of Logic (Saturday Free School 5/20/23)

Philly Mayoral Election and Continuing Hegel's Science of Logic (Saturday Free School 5/20/23)

We discuss the Philadelphia mayoral election and continue our deep reading of Hegel's Science of Logic.

May 27, 202303:21:20
Afro-Asiatic Reconstitution of the World (Saturday Free School 5/13/23)
May 27, 202302:53:21
Tribute to Harry Belafonte (Saturday Free School 5/6/23)

Tribute to Harry Belafonte (Saturday Free School 5/6/23)

We pay tribute to Harry Belafonte.

May 08, 202303:24:03
Continuing Hegel's Science of Logic (Saturday Free School 4/29/23)
May 08, 202303:41:51
Continuing Hegel's Science of Logic (4/22/23)
Apr 22, 202303:39:49
Hegel's Science of Logic and Artificial Intelligence (4/15/23)
Apr 22, 202303:16:00
Upcoming Events and Journal, and Philosophy, Physics, and AI (4/8/23)

Upcoming Events and Journal, and Philosophy, Physics, and AI (4/8/23)

We discuss the Saturday Free School's upcoming plans and journal. Then we discuss Hegel's Science of Logic in exploring some of the logical questions in Black Reconstruction and the philosophical questions that are presented in contemporary physics and Artificial Intelligence.

Apr 22, 202303:19:30
Concluding Black Reconstruction and the Financial Crisis in the West (4/1/23)

Concluding Black Reconstruction and the Financial Crisis in the West (4/1/23)

We conclude this round of our reading of Black Reconstruction. In the coming weeks, we will return to Hegel's Science of Logic. In studying Hegel, we'll explore some of the logical questions in Black Reconstruction and the philosophical questions that are presented in contemporary physics and Artificial Intelligence. Also, we say a few more things concerning how to understand the current financial and banking crisis in the West.

Apr 22, 202303:53:39
Banking Crisis, Xi-Putin Meeting, and Assessing the Korea Event (Saturday Free School 3/25/23)

Banking Crisis, Xi-Putin Meeting, and Assessing the Korea Event (Saturday Free School 3/25/23)

We discuss the banking crisis and update on world events. We also assess our Korea event titled "Korean Civilization and Paths to Peace and Reunification." Finally, we discuss March 18's rally in Washington, D.C., and finish our reading of W.E.B. Du Bois's Black Reconstruction in America.

Apr 22, 202304:15:13
Saudi Arabia and Iran, The Silicon Valley Bank, and Our Upcoming Korea Event (3/11/23)

Saudi Arabia and Iran, The Silicon Valley Bank, and Our Upcoming Korea Event (3/11/23)

We update everyone on our March 17-18 event on Korea, titled "Korean Civilization and Paths to Peace and Reunification." 

Mar 12, 202303:30:00
Assessing the Black Reconstruction Symposium and the Anti-War Rally (Saturday Free School 3/4/23)

Assessing the Black Reconstruction Symposium and the Anti-War Rally (Saturday Free School 3/4/23)

We discuss and assess our Black Reconstruction symposium which took place February 25th. We also assess the Rage Against the War Machine rally which we attended in Washington, D.C. on February 19th. We had a further examination of our slogan for this year: "With W.E.B. Du Bois and Martin Luther King, we march to achieve our nation," as well as gave updates on our upcoming event on Korea.

Mar 12, 202303:34:22