Benjamin M. Blumberg discusses the history of the American Left and the still unmet challenge of theorizing and abolishing race and racism.

Tim Barker reviews Jeffrey B. Perry’s biography of Hubert Harrison, whose interactions with the Socialist Party are an example of the way in which racial and class questions became fatally separated on the American Left.

Max Elliot Katz reviews David Renton’s Dissident Marxism, taking the author to task for neglecting the regression of the 20th century and the liquidation of adequate theory and action.

Platypus NY Chapter head, Chris Mansour, will be introducing the film. Discussion with Filmmaker and Stephen Duncombe to follow the screening.

In EXAMINED LIFE (2008, 87 minutes, Canada, DVD), filmmaker Astra Taylor accompanies some of today’s most influential thinkers on a series of unique excursions through places and spaces that hold particular resonance for them and their ideas.

This event is presented in association with the Platypus Affiliated Society, New York chapter. Platypus organizes reading groups, public fora, research and journalism focused on problems and tasks inherited from the “Old” (1920s-30s), “New” (1960s-70s) and post-political (1980s-90s) Left for the possibilities of emancipatory politics today.

http://www.uniondocs.org/examined-life-with-astra-taylor/