Our World In Depth

Words strung together to explain things

karen — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:46:49 +0000

are you looking for an antidote to the dumbed-down horse-race corporate media coverage of US electoral politics? Scott Crow is an anarchist community organizer and writer based in Austin, Texas. with Malik Rahim and Sharon Johnson, Crow co-founded the Common Ground Collective, a relief organization rapidly built entirely from the grassroots in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. He is the author of the book “Black Flags and Windmills: Hope, Anarchy and the Common Ground Collective.”

Starhawk: A Guide for Collaborative Groups

karen — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 23:47:09 +0000

Longtime activist Starhawk talks about her timely new book: “The Empowerment Manual: A Guide for Collaborative Groups”. Relevant to struggle within the Occupy Movement, Starhawk’s discussion includes strategies for maintaining horizontal/non-hierarchical organizing. (filmed Dec, 2011, Mpls)

Part 2 includes the remaining Q & A from Starhawk’s talk at Mayday Books in December, 2011:

Somalis under Attack!

karen — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 02:27:08 +0000

Footage of Dec. 30 pro-hawala demonstration along with local community commentary. Hawala is the money transfer system which allows the Somali immigrant population to send money home. As of Dec. 29, no US banks are allowing money to be transferred to Somalia. This video includes comments from African-American community organizer Mel Reeves on US government policy. The cut-off of the money transfer is threatening the lives of Somali people in Somalia and is breaking the hearts of family members, mostly US citizens, here who are trying to send needed funds to their loved ones back home. (filmed Dec. 30, 2011, Minneapolis)

Making Sense of Economics in the News

karen — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:14:05 +0000

How well can you interpret economic information? Local media analyst Jeff Nygaard, of Nygaard Notes, shares how professional journalism, partly due to the general crisis in journalism, is failing to educate the public on matters of economic news. Nygaard pays close attention to how journalists treat political candidates’ claims about economics, and, about the need for relevant and accurate fact-checking. hosted by “People’s Economist” Karen Redleaf.

David Rovics at All Nations Church

karen — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 02:28:45 +0000

Excerpt from David Rovics’ most recent concert in the Twin Cities - Sunday, October 30th, 2011 at All Nations Church. Stay tuned for more footage from the same concert to come.

Rwanda Beyond War: Truth and Reconciliation (pt. 1)

karen — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 16:37:38 +0000

Perhaps the most formative modern historical moment for people in Central and East Africa was the shooting down of an airplane containing Rwandan President Habyarimana in April of 1994. The assassination effectively ended peace accords in Rwanda, acted as a catalyst for the Rwandan Genocide, led to the regional dominance of the RPF, led to the Great Lakes refugee crisis, led to ongoing conflicts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and, led to the significant regional presence of Rwandan-Ugandan military forces.

In October 2011, RPF insider and former ranking government official, Theogene Rudasingwa, reported what others in Rwanda and international circles had already said: current Rwandan President Paul Kagame ordered the assassination of President Habyarimana.

Additionally, dominant narratives that “The Rwandan Genocide” was only in one direction, Hutu against Tutsi, and that the US establishment was not involved in the 1994 regime change in Rwanda are now in contention.

This video includes Theogene Rudasingwa’s comments regarding his October confession. Former US Ambassador to Rwanda, Robert Flaten, former lead defense counsel for the ITCR, Peter Erlinder, real-life protagonist of the film “Hotel Rwanda”, Paul Rusesabagina, and former Somali Prime Minister Ali Galaydh provide context and hope for truth and reconciliation for Rwandans. (filmed Nov. 28, 2011, William Mitchell College of Law, St. Paul)

Hotel Rwanda: Truth and Reconciliation w/Paul Rusesabagina

karen — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 22:29:01 +0000

The narrative regarding events and players involved in and around the period known as “The Rwandan Genocide” is under scrutiny. Paul Rusesabagina, the real-life protagonist of the film “Hotel Rwanda” speaks about Rwanda, Central Africa and truth and reconciliation in a country that has not healed from its civil war. (filmed Nov. 28, William Mitchell College of Law, St. Paul)

In part 2, available exclusively on-line, the current Lantos Human Rights Prize recipient takes questions regarding regional issues in East and Central Africa and hints at a US role in the regions:

Seeking Israeli/Palestinian Peace: Varied Voices from the Jewish Community (2 parts)

karen — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 20:10:15 +0000

Unprecedented panel discussion on Palestine/Israel featuring local panelists representing four very diverse Jewish organizations - Jewish Community Relations Council, Jewish Voice for Peace, J-Street, and the International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network. Part 1 includes prepared remarks from the panelists followed by some audience response. (filmed Oct 16th at Central Lutheran Church, Mpls)

Part 2 features a wrap up of audience response and discussion. This segment also includes a post panel interview with two members of the International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network:

Occupy Minnesota

karen — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 04:05:10 +0000

This episode features several participants in the OccupyMN encampment in Minneapolis. Highlights of the Oct. 15 tent action at “the People’s Plaza” and… a new song by David Rovics. (recorded Oct. 29)

Mass Transit: Building It Right for the People

karen — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 21:55:20 +0000

After years of organizing around new and proposed rail lines going through their neighborhoods, Malik Holt-Shabazz and Metric Giles, community organizers from the Harrison and Rondo ‘hoods of Mpls/St. Paul, share their experiences and wisdom. Among the issues they address: transportation planning and racism. (recorded Oct, 2011)