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A podcast about music, and politics as told by musicians who sing about politics
Episodes
Monday Aug 19, 2024
Monday Aug 19, 2024
J. and MT discuss what people get wrong about the Australian breakdancing sensation RAYGUN, what Black culture is and isn't, then the show goes off the rails.
Monday Aug 19, 2024
Monday Aug 19, 2024
Get Matt's Book here: https://www.routledge.com/The-Political-Theory-of-Liberal-Socialism/McManus/p/book/9781032647234
In today's hyper-political climate, people often claim sharply defined political identities, with "liberal" frequently used as a pejorative in far-left and socialist circles rather than as a descriptor for those who align themselves with leftist ideals. This makes Matt McManus's choice of terminology in his latest book, *Liberal Socialism*, particularly provocative for many on the left.
McManus challenges these rigid categorizations by exploring the potential synthesis of liberal and socialist principles. He argues that "liberalism and socialism are not necessarily in conflict, but can instead complement each other in the pursuit of a more just society." This nuanced perspective invites readers to rethink the boundaries of leftist thought, pushing beyond the conventional disdain for liberalism in radical circles.
As McManus writes in his book, "To achieve a truly democratic society, we must embrace the best of both liberal and socialist traditions, recognizing that each has something vital to contribute to the fight against inequality and oppression."
In this episode, we'll dive into McManus's arguments, examining why his concept of *Liberal Socialism* might be more relevant now than ever, even if it raises eyebrows among those who consider themselves staunch socialists.
Thursday Aug 15, 2024
Thursday Aug 15, 2024
Welcome to another episode of THIS IS REVOLUTION>podcast, where we delve into the complexities and absurdities of our modern world. Today, we have a special guest who thrives at the intersection of satire and social commentary—YouTuber JREG. Known for his sharp wit and keen insight into the chaotic nature of political discourse, JREG has carved out a unique space in the digital landscape, challenging us to reconsider our perspectives through humor and satire.
With a channel that explores everything from the radicalization of political ideologies to the nuances of internet culture, JREG’s work invites us to reflect on the absurdity of the systems that govern our lives. As we navigate through these turbulent times, his content resonates with a growing audience seeking clarity and comedic relief amidst the noise. Today, we will explore JREG's creative process, his views on the current state of political discourse, and the role of satire in shaping public opinion.
Wednesday Aug 14, 2024
Wednesday Aug 14, 2024
Read Ben's article in Damage Magazine here: https://damagemag.com/2024/07/30/left-identitarianism-is-also-a-mirror-world/
Diaganolists, Doppelgangers, and Left Liberal Identitarians: A Review of the New Naomi Klein Book Doppelganger
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The concept of a doppelganger is often reserved for the realm of science fiction and noir thrillers, but in politics, the idea of a doppelganger holds its own peculiar intrigue. Here at This is Revolution, we've encountered our own version of a doppelganger—a show that shares some surface-level similarities, like having Black men and the word "Revolution" in its title. However, upon closer inspection, these similarities begin and end with the name.
Over the years, I've noticed people confusing the two shows, likely because the other show began with a completely different name and was eventually forced to change it. If you're really paying attention, you’d see that the radical rhetoric they espouse is more of a theatrical performance, wrapped in a contrarian nature and a penchant for identity politics.
Ben Burgis, in his recent piece for Damage Magazine titled "Left Identitarianism is also a Mirror World," addresses this phenomenon. He describes a political “diagonalism” that superficially mirrors the Left but aligns with drastically different political priorities. This doppelganger of the Left is a shadowy reflection—using its rhetorical notes for opposing ends.
Burgis writes about how this diagonalism is “anti-war” when it comes to Democratic actions in Ukraine but reveres Trump despite his aggressive foreign policy moves. They claim to support free speech and oppose Big Tech, but not to the extent of democratizing these platforms—just reshaping them to fit their agenda, with a preference for billionaires like Elon Musk over Mark Zuckerberg.
This so-called “anti-establishment radicalism” that echoes the rhetoric of the Left is, in reality, a mirror doppelganger serving the interests of the bosses and the Republican Party. It is a critical examination of how political narratives can be co-opted, leaving behind a superficial resemblance that betrays its origins.
Let's delve into this discussion on political doppelgangers and explore how they influence public perception and political discourse.
Tuesday Aug 13, 2024
Tuesday Aug 13, 2024
Monday Aug 12, 2024
Monday Aug 12, 2024
Watch and follow Tony's work here: https://youtu.be/7uPevWDAYFI?si=8rba_MV997XYmLU7
Here in the United States, and throughout the Western world, protests, school walkouts, and boycotts have erupted in response to Israel's relentless assault on the people of Gaza. The conflict has been raging for almost a year, yet in this election cycle, the pressing issue of which candidate will work toward brokering a peace deal or ceasefire in the region has not taken center stage in the debates. While protests continue, the encampments have been cleared out, and the conversation around President Biden—dubbed "Genocide Joe" by some critics—has been muted by the hope of another Trump defeat, this time at the hands of Vice President and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris.
This raises a critical question: Are these protests merely cathartic exercises that give the illusion of challenging the political hegemony of the two flanks of capital? Our guest today, who goes by the internet moniker 1Dime, believes that much of what we perceive as "agitation" is actually "controlled opposition." According to this perspective, the presence of law enforcement at these protests is not due to fear of uprising but to protect physical property and create an illusion of conflict.
Join us as we delve into this provocative analysis with 1Dime, exploring the true impact of protests and whether they genuinely challenge the status quo or serve as a safety valve for public dissent.
Sunday Aug 11, 2024
Sunday Aug 11, 2024
Welcome to the show, where we bring you the latest and greatest in the world of sports! We've got an exciting lineup of stories to dive into today, starting with a monumental achievement in baseball. Blake Snell made headlines with his no-hitter for the San Francisco Giants, cementing his status as one of the most dominant pitchers in the league. We'll break down the game and discuss what this means for the Giants' playoff hopes.
In college football, the buzz isn't just about the teams but the stadiums themselves. Music superstar Pitbull is making waves with his ambitious proposal to rename Florida International University's stadium to "Pitbull Stadium." We'll explore how this move could impact the university and the broader landscape of college sports.
Turning to the NFL, pre-season action is heating up as teams gear up for the regular season. We'll cover the latest developments and standout performances as players fight for their spots on the roster. And speaking of the NFL, rumors are swirling around the potential trade of Brandon Aiyuk, the dynamic wide receiver from the San Francisco 49ers. We'll analyze the trade rumors and speculate on how this could reshape teams heading into the new season.
So sit back, relax, and join us as we delve into these stories and more on today's show. Let's get started!
Friday Aug 09, 2024
Friday Aug 09, 2024
Are Black Voters Leaving the Democratic Party?
The recent shift in the American political landscape has been marked by an evolving narrative surrounding race, economic challenges, and political allegiance. Not long ago, the United States experienced a racial reckoning that resonated across the nation. In response, corporate America pledged approximately $50 billion to address racial inequities during the George Floyd summer, promising a more equitable future. In the political arena, Joe Biden made a significant commitment during his presidential campaign to choose a woman of color as his running mate, resulting in Kamala Harris becoming the Democratic Party's presidential candidate.
However, as the Biden administration took office, it seemed that the urgency to address systemic racial issues waned. Discussions about police violence and the historical injustices faced by Black Americans, including reparations, faded into the background. While the administration avoided the controversial route of massive tax cuts, other economic challenges emerged. Inflation soared, affecting working-class Americans across the country. Economists point to larger global factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine as significant contributors to these economic woes.
In this context of unmet expectations and economic strain, a notable political shift is occurring among Black men, who are increasingly expressing disillusionment with the Democratic Party. This growing sentiment is driving some to consider supporting Donald Trump in upcoming elections, despite the complexities surrounding his policies and rhetoric.
This introduction sets the stage for a deeper exploration of the interplay between race, economics, and political affiliation in America today, highlighting the nuanced factors influencing voter behavior and party dynamics.
Thursday Aug 08, 2024
Thursday Aug 08, 2024
The CRÜE examine a professor that attempts to explain AAVE. Jason gets mad. Hilarity ensues. ENJOY!
Thursday Aug 08, 2024
Thursday Aug 08, 2024
In a recent address at a Black journalist convention, Donald Trump launched a controversial attack on Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris by questioning her mixed-race heritage. He claimed ignorance about whether Harris, who has an Indian mother and a Black father, identifies as Black or Indian. This attack echoes his previous racial jabs, notably when he dubbed Senator Elizabeth Warren "Pocahontas," mocking her self-proclaimed Native American ancestry during the 2020 race. While Warren's response to Trump's provocation resulted in an embarrassing revelation of minimal Native ancestry, Harris's situation is distinct. Her heritage is well-documented; she has proudly embraced both aspects of her identity, from her involvement in one of the oldest Black sororities to her education at the historically Black Howard University.
Many within the GOP express unease with Trump's race-based attacks, fearing electoral repercussions not just in the presidential race but also in down-ballot contests. However, it is worth noting that Trump’s racially charged tactics have proven effective in the past. Yet, attacking Harris as a "racial imposter" is unlikely to yield the same results as with Warren.
Trump’s rhetoric on Harris resonates with certain factions, such as the ADOS (American Descendants of Slavery) movement, and even touches upon themes from Afro-pessimism. This academic perspective posits that the world's cultures are fundamentally anti-Black and that the prejudice one experiences correlates with one's skin tone. Under this framework, lighter-skinned, mixed-race individuals like Harris purportedly face fewer challenges than their darker-skinned counterparts, such as Congresswoman Cori Bush. But is this view valid? Historical figures like Thurgood Marshall, a light-skinned man who was the first Black Supreme Court Justice, undoubtedly faced immense challenges, arguably more so than Clarence Thomas, who is darker-skinned.
Afro-pessimism, with its focus on race as an ontological condition, often obscures the crucial role of class. The notion that light-skinned Black people enjoy privileges akin to those of white people due to their proximity to "whiteness" simplifies a complex reality. My good friend Bert Cooper, himself of mixed race and lighter skin, would likely contend that this narrow understanding of race, devoid of class analysis, fails to capture the nuanced "Black experience."
This discourse invites us to delve into the intersections of race, identity, and class, urging us to examine how these dynamics play out in the political arena and broader societal contexts.