Laura Flanders and Friends:  Positive Independent Journalism for a Just World

From ACT UP to Palestine: Sarah Schulman on How to Build Solidarity Across Difference [Episode]


Listen Later

In a powerful interview, author Sarah Schulman reflects on decades of activism, from fighting AIDS to advocating for Palestinian liberation, revealing key lessons learned along the way.

SAVE THE DATE July 16th 7pm EDT:  Laura hosts an online conversation just for our donors. It’s a chance to connect, ask questions, and hear what’s coming up behind the scenes. Make a one off donation or become a sustaining member by making it monthly go to LauraFlanders.org/donate. This show is made possible by you! 

Description: What is “solidarity” and what does it require? Giving up on perfection, for one thing, says Sarah Schulman, author of “Conflict is Not Abuse,” and so much more. Award-winning writer, teacher, playwright and activist, Schulman’s latest book is “The Fantasy and Necessity of Solidarity”, in which she reflects on years of experiments and learning, from the 1980s to today. In this episode, find out what role GRITtv, an earlier iteration of Flanders’ show, played in the movement for Palestinian liberation, and hear a discussion of the Harlem artist Alice Neel. Schulman sits on the advisory board of Jewish Voice for Peace. Her non-fiction books include “Conflict is Not Abuse: Overstating Harm, Community Responsibility, and the Duty of Repair” and “Let the Record Show: A Political History of ACT UP New York, 1987-1993”. Also in this episode, a commentary from Laura on the assassination of Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman, a strategic progressive who practiced solidarity.

“When I confronted the Israeli occupation of Palestine, something resonated for me emotionally between that and the AIDS experience. What I felt was similar was that people who were endangered were being falsely depicted as dangerous.” - Sarah Schulman

“Right now we're in the middle of a cataclysm of fascism and there's no quick fix. And we have to understand that the idea that you can go in and just fix it is a supremacy concept.” - Sarah Schulman

Guests:  Sarah Schulman, Writer & AIDS Historian; Author, The Fantasy and Necessity of Solidarity

 

This show is made possible by you! To become a sustaining member go to LauraFlanders.org/donate

 

Watch the special report released on YouTube June 20th 5pm ET; PBS World Channel June 22nd, and on over 300 public stations across the country (check your listings, or search here via zipcode). Listen: Episode airing on community radio (check here to see if your station airs the show) & available as a podcast June 25th.

Full Uncut Conversation Release: While our weekly shows are edited to time for broadcast on Public TV and community radio, we offer to our members and podcast subscribers the full uncut conversation

 

Full Episode Notes are located HERE.

 

RESOURCES-

Related Laura Flanders Show Episodes:

•  Organizing for Ceasefire Through Policy & Protest: Meet the People of JVP & NY Assemblymember Mamdani:  Watch, Listen:  Full ConversationEpisode

• Jacqueline Woodson & Catherine Gund: Breathing Through Chaos & the “Meanwhile”:  Watch, Listen:  Full ConversationEpisode

•  GRITtv: Sarah Schulman: Emerging Palestinian Queer Movement: Watch

 

Related Articles and Resources:

•  ‘They’re Coming After All of Us.’  You Might as Well Tell the Truth. The longtime activist and writer Sarah Schulman on why now is the time to stand up to people you oppose. By Lydia Polgreen, Produced by Vishakha Darbha, April 10, 2025, The Opinion - New York Times

•  The Vault:  ACT UP protesters tue up traffic in lower Manhattan in 1988, NY Eyewitness News ABC 7

•  Jewish peace activists hold sit-in protest at Grand Central to demand ceasefire in Israel-Hamas conflict, October 27, 2023, PIX11 News-NY

•  Alice Neel Documentary on the life and work of Alice Need (1900—1984), American portrait painter.  November 18, 2009, Official Trailer

•  Jim Hubbard and Sarah Schulman Present, United In Anger, A History of ACT-UP, a film by Jim Hubbard. Learn More

 

Laura Flanders and Friends Crew:  Laura Flanders, along with Sabrina Artel, Jeremiah Cothren, Veronica Delgado, Janet Hernandez, Jeannie Hopper, Gina Kim, Sarah Miller, Nat Needham, David Neuman, and Rory O’Conner. 

 

FOLLOW Laura Flanders and Friends

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraflandersandfriends/

Blueky:  https://bsky.app/profile/lfandfriends.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LauraFlandersAndFriends/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lauraflandersandfriends

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFLRxVeYcB1H7DbuYZQG-lg

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lauraflandersandfriends

Patreon:   https://www.patreon.com/lauraflandersandfriends

ACCESSIBILITY - The broadcast edition of this episode is available with closed captioned by clicking here for our YouTube Channel

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Laura Flanders and Friends:  Positive Independent Journalism for a Just WorldBy Laura Flanders, Curious Communications

  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9

4.9

135 ratings


More shows like Laura Flanders and Friends: Positive Independent Journalism for a Just World

View all
On the Media by WNYC Studios

On the Media

9,163 Listeners

Democracy Now! Audio by Democracy Now!

Democracy Now! Audio

5,644 Listeners

CounterSpin by Fairness & Accuracy In Reporting

CounterSpin

492 Listeners

Best of the Left - Leftist Perspectives on Progressive Politics, News, Culture, Economics and Democracy by BestOfTheLeft.com

Best of the Left - Leftist Perspectives on Progressive Politics, News, Culture, Economics and Democracy

3,381 Listeners

Ralph Nader Radio Hour by Ralph Nader

Ralph Nader Radio Hour

1,186 Listeners

Reveal by The Center for Investigative Reporting and PRX

Reveal

8,247 Listeners

Economic Update with Richard D. Wolff by Democracy at Work - Richard D. Wolff

Economic Update with Richard D. Wolff

1,972 Listeners

The Nation Podcasts by The Nation Magazine

The Nation Podcasts

416 Listeners

The Intercept Briefing by The Intercept

The Intercept Briefing

6,112 Listeners

The Bitchuation Room by Francesca Fiorentini

The Bitchuation Room

1,239 Listeners

Unf*cking The Republic by UNFTR Media

Unf*cking The Republic

687 Listeners

Lever Time by The Lever

Lever Time

535 Listeners

Unshocked with Naomi Klein by Zeteo

Unshocked with Naomi Klein

48 Listeners

Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams by Crooked Media

Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams

1,535 Listeners

The Chris Hedges Report by Chris Hedges

The Chris Hedges Report

283 Listeners