For an introduction to Marxism and the politics of the ISO try The Meaning of Marxism; for a history of the Haitian Revolution of 1794-1803 that helped form the first independent nation in the Caribbean try The Black Jacobins; and to discuss the roots of LGBT oppression, the history of the gay movement, and how to win sexual liberation for all try the Sexuality and Socialism Study group.
For more information or to sign up for any of the three Study Series email info@seattleiso.org
The Meaning of Marxism
When: Weekly on Tuesdays, starting Tues, Feb 9 at 5:30pm
Where: Café Solstice, 4116 University Way, University District
What is Marxism? What relevance does it have today? What differentiates the International Socialist Organization from other socialist groups in Seattle? Starting Tues, Feb 2, we will be discussing these topics and more in a new round of our 6-week study group based on The Meaning of Marxism by Paul D’Amato (available online from Haymarket Books, or at any ISO meeting or event)
Full Schedule of readings
Week 1 - 2/9: Socialism, Not Capitalism:
Week 1 - 2/9: Socialism, Not Capitalism:
- Intro: The Relevance of Marxism
- Chapter 3: The Marxist View of History
Week 2 - 2/16: Workers' Power:
- Chapter 4: Marxist Economics - How Capitalism Works & How it Doesn't
- Chapter 5: No Power Greater - The Working Class
- Chapter 14: Imagine...The Future Socialist Society
- Conclusion: The Point is to Change it
Week 3 - 2/23: Revolution:
- Chapter 6: Democracy, Reform, and Revolution
- Chapter 13: Can it Happen Here?
- First half of Chapter 8: How the Russian Revolution Was Won
Week 4 - 3/2: Internationalism:
- Chapter 9: Imperialism, Nationalism, and War
- Second half of Chapter 8: How the Russian Revolution Was Lost
Week 5 - 3/9: Full Equality and Liberation:
- Chapter 10: Marxism and Oppression
- Chapter 11: Capitalism and the Environment
Week 6 - 3/16: The Revolutionary Party:
- Chapter 7: The Need for Socialist Organization
- Chapter 12: But What About...? (Arguments Against Socialism)
Meeting in both Capitol Hill and the U District
When: Weekly on Tuesdays,
starting Tues, Feb 9 at 7:30pm
Where: Victrola Coffee, 411 15th Ave E, Capitol Hill
--or--
When: Weekly on Saturdays,
starting Sat, Feb 13 at 1:00pm
Where: Café Solstice, 4116 University Way, University District
The Black Jacobins: Toussaint L'Ouverture and the San Domingo Revolution by C.L.R. James is a powerful, intensely dramatic book--the definitive account of the Haitian Revolution of 1794-1803, a revolution that began in the wake of the Bastille but became the model for the Third World liberation movements from Africa to Cuba. It is the story of the French colony of San Domingo, a place where the brutality of master toward slave was commonplace and ingeniously refined. And it is the story of a barely literate slave named Toussaint L'Ouverture, who led the black people of San Domingo in a successful struggle against successive invasions by overwhelming French, Spanish, and English forces and in the process helped form the first independent nation in the Caribbean.
For more information or to sign up for any of the three Study Series email info@seattleiso.org
This Study group is running at the pace of the participants, please Join the Facebook Group for updates on reading schedule and meeting times
Sexuality and Socialism: History, Politics, and Theory of LGBT Liberation by Sherry Wolf is a remarkably accessible analysis of many of the most challenging questions for those concerned with full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people.
Inside are essays on the roots of LGBT oppression, the construction of sexual and gender identities, the history of the gay movement, and how to unite the oppressed and exploited to win sexual liberation for all. Sherry Wolf analyzes different theories about oppression—including those of Marxism, postmodernism, identity politics, and queer theory—and challenges myths about genes, gender, and sexuality.
