Political education is not only an entry point to united class struggle, but a site to return to again and again for guidance in our anti-capitalist, anti-imperialist organizing. New and long-time comrades and interested community members are invited to join the Political Education Committee’s current ongoing Night School series — A Study Series on Black Leftist Thought.
The murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police in May 2020 sparked national outrage that coalesced into a movement across the United States demanding real, structural change in local law enforcement and the U.S. justice system. As this movement consolidated around the unifying demand of “Defund the Police,” a widespread interest in the rich history of Black radical thought reemerged. Leftist discourse reignited a critical study of ideas like the relationship between race and class, third world nationalism, critical race theory, and identity politics. What are the origins of these ideas, and how far back in our socialist history do they reach?
Spanning March through June, this seven module series will introduce attendees to the writings, speeches, and perspectives of Black leftists through most of the twentieth century. Through original sources in writing, audio, and video, we will trace back the history of discourses introduced and developed by Black socialists, all of which have profound impact on our political landscape today.
Initial classes will be held on Zoom, with physical locations planned barring changes in LA County public health recommendations. Stay tuned for more announcements on special event details.
All attendees are encouraged , but not required, to review the texts for each class, which are linked to each event on the calendar.
List of calendar links to RSVP to Night School below (more complete details follow):
- Race and Class in the Wake of the Red Summer – Tuesday, April 5th at 6 PM
- Black Nationalism and Self-Determination – Tuesday, April 5th at 6 PM
- Pan Africanism and Internationalism – Tuesday, May 17th at 6 PM*
- From Civil Rights to Democratic Socialism – Tuesday, May 31st at 7 PM*
- Black Power, Panther Power – Tuesday, June 14th at 7 PM*
- Black Radicals and the Labor Movement – Tuesday, June 28th at 7 PM*
- Black Feminism – Tuesday, July 12th at 7 PM*
Political Education Committee’s Study Series Archive:
We periodically revisit past study series curricula in Night School formats, and previous readers are freely available below:
Lost Angles: Piecing Together a Socialist LA (2020, 2021)
This series takes a look at many of the often overlooked pieces of Los Angeles’ socialist past, present, and future exploring the development of the freeway system, the radical communities of the 20s and 30s, Hollywood’s connection to the CPUSA and the Red Scare, LA’s Third World Left movements, and the campaign for the San Fernando Valley to secede from LA at the turn of the 21st Century. Through these local struggles, we seek to connect with the place where we live and engage with the past as a way to guide our current work together.
Class on Class (2018)
This study series examines a selection of foundational concepts and inquiries, with the goal of more deeply grounding our collective struggle in rigorous socialist analysis.
Imperialism Study Series (2019)
Building on concepts introduced in the Class on Class, this series examines the relationship between imperialism and capitalism as articulated by leftists thinkers from the 19th century through today. Across installments, this series is designed to highlight the deep and varied theories on the left and create a space for open, healthy discussion.
Socialism & Electoralism Night School Series (2019-2020)
A series of informal Night Schools designed to complement DSA’s local and national commitments to Bernie’s campaign and engage with this candidacy within the broader context of socialist strategies and perspectives on electoral politics.