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Featuring University of Massachusetts Amherst Sociologist Sanjiv Gupta and University of Massachusetts Amherst Economist David Kotz. 

This episode is a part of a 4-part series on “What is Capitalism?” This series is accompanying the DSA National Political Education Committee’s curriculum packet, which can find our curriculum at https://education.dsausa.org/resources/.

This chapter, from a book published in 2016 at the time after the first Black Lives Matter protests, introduces the complex interactions between racism and capitalism in the U.S. Taylor reiterates CLR James’ assertion that Black struggles for democratic rights have been at the forefront of the socialist movement in the U.S. In turn, socialists been central to anti-racist struggles. Taylor argues that U.S. ruling classes have used racism and white supremacy, first to justify slavery, then to divide workers. The chapter highlights Marx’s statements on slavery, the Civil War, and capitalists’ use of ethnicity to divide workers. 

From #BlackLivesMatter to Black Liberation by Keeanga-Yamahttah Taylor

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Fj1NujY5Z3Qry_2HNCji1ktdW4N_Ajeo/view

Credits:
Producer: Elton LK
Host: Daphna Thier
Logo by Michaela Brangan
Sound Engineer & Opening Music by Casey Stikker

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