Tü Progressive Americans disscussion group
Hi guys and gals. Me, Dave, Mark and Gus had a brief word on the discussion group last Wed. and there seem to be some interest. I figured we might as well get the ball rolling now.
What´s a discussion group?
Mark proposed at the formation of the Tü Progressive Americans, for those of us who are interested in learning about specific topics re politics and discussing them in a structured, analytical manner, should meet at regular times to do exactly that. It may be a reading group, whereas people come with a particular book in mind, but not necessarily so- some topics require isolated chapters of different books or articles. The medium is not restricted to print, we may discuss a documentary, some recorded lectures, speech or debate, and so on.
How does it work?
I imagine it as follows: Every participant may volunteer a topic for the next meeting. The selection of the topic should be decided by consensus, and the person who volunteered the selected topic will provide the relevant materials- which books, which articles to read and so on. The materials are open to discussion if someone else wants to help. More than one person may present if there´s an agreement. Following the presentation there will be discussions. The whole course should last no more than 1 1/2 hours. Meeting time for this group could be once a month, or once two months, as long as it´s consistent.
Topic for next meeting?
Someone propose something please.
I´ll make one- how about the 60´s? I was not alive back then, so I am all open for inputs. I have a couple of points of reference: There are two audios about the 60´s, talks given by Michael Albert, co founder of South End Press and Z Magazine. They are about 2 hours long total, very concise account about his lessons learnt as an organizer during tht e 60´s, where all kinds of movements thrived, yet very little effect had lasted. From criticisms on the hierarchical structures of progressive organizations, adaptation of "lifestyle politics", to how to deal with threats from power, how to communicate to people who are from different ideological backgrounds, and so on. Subjects include the Black Panthers, Weatherman, student organizing, women´s movement, civil liberties movement, and of course, drugs sex and rock´n roll. I think the lessons could benefit us as an organization in our future endeavors.
Link to the audio files: http://www.mediamax.com/windfactor/Hosted/60s.rar
Realplayer stream of one of the two audios: http://www.zmag.org/audio/albnll.ram
(Let me know if download is too slow for you so I could get you a copy in our next meeting)
Time?I am all open.
So, let me know what you think of the group, when we should meet, and what topics you would like to go into.
Charles
What´s a discussion group?
Mark proposed at the formation of the Tü Progressive Americans, for those of us who are interested in learning about specific topics re politics and discussing them in a structured, analytical manner, should meet at regular times to do exactly that. It may be a reading group, whereas people come with a particular book in mind, but not necessarily so- some topics require isolated chapters of different books or articles. The medium is not restricted to print, we may discuss a documentary, some recorded lectures, speech or debate, and so on.
How does it work?
I imagine it as follows: Every participant may volunteer a topic for the next meeting. The selection of the topic should be decided by consensus, and the person who volunteered the selected topic will provide the relevant materials- which books, which articles to read and so on. The materials are open to discussion if someone else wants to help. More than one person may present if there´s an agreement. Following the presentation there will be discussions. The whole course should last no more than 1 1/2 hours. Meeting time for this group could be once a month, or once two months, as long as it´s consistent.
Topic for next meeting?
Someone propose something please.
I´ll make one- how about the 60´s? I was not alive back then, so I am all open for inputs. I have a couple of points of reference: There are two audios about the 60´s, talks given by Michael Albert, co founder of South End Press and Z Magazine. They are about 2 hours long total, very concise account about his lessons learnt as an organizer during tht e 60´s, where all kinds of movements thrived, yet very little effect had lasted. From criticisms on the hierarchical structures of progressive organizations, adaptation of "lifestyle politics", to how to deal with threats from power, how to communicate to people who are from different ideological backgrounds, and so on. Subjects include the Black Panthers, Weatherman, student organizing, women´s movement, civil liberties movement, and of course, drugs sex and rock´n roll. I think the lessons could benefit us as an organization in our future endeavors.
Link to the audio files: http://www.mediamax.com/windfactor/Hosted/60s.rar
Realplayer stream of one of the two audios: http://www.zmag.org/audio/albnll.ram
(Let me know if download is too slow for you so I could get you a copy in our next meeting)
Time?I am all open.
So, let me know what you think of the group, when we should meet, and what topics you would like to go into.
Charles
charlesy - 11. Nov, 17:39