We have been hoping to hold a webinar to analyze how Occupy can aid in struggles for racial justice and equality and how they can improve themselves to create a truly inclusive movement that is representative of the needs and concerns of communities of color. We know occupiers in places like Detroit have a lot of ideas and lessons they can share to the benefit of the movement, so we’re pleased to invite you to join our free online talk on Racism and the Occupy Movement with Lee Gaddies of Occupy Detroit and author and journalist Joanne Griffith this evening at 8pm eastern.

Paul Street’s new book, The Empire’s New Clothes, closely examines the first year of the Obama administration, critically evaluating it within a context of strong liberal-Democratic support and fierce – even hysterical right-wing opposition. Barack Obama is seen very differently by Americans. Many see him as a symbol of how far America has come since the days of openly-supported racial segregation and the terroristic violence directed against the black community. Others see Obama as a dangerous “socialist/Marxist” who is threatening the American middle class and crippling future generations with “big government” and “unsustainable” debt.