Author: Derek Seidman
This week celebrates the 165th anniversary of John Brown’s raid on Harpers Ferry in 1859, a pivotal event in the abolitionist movement. Despite its failure, Brown’s bold action ignited the abolitionist cause and raised critical questions on armed resistance and solidarity. Historian Manisha Sinha sheds light on the context surrounding Brown’s raid, his inspiration from Black abolitionists, and the impact on the abolitionist movement. Sinha highlights Brown’s revolutionary commitment and the lessons activists today can learn from his legacy. While the raid failed, Brown’s legacy endures as a symbol of resistance and freedom. The mainstream recognition of Brown today signifies…
The explosion of campus protest movements against Israel’s siege of Gaza, especially during the April 2024 encampments, has been historic. These movements showed the whole world that swaths of young people across the U.S. stand in solidarity with Palestinians who are facing a genocidal assault. The encampments created crises for college administrators who purport to defend values of justice and human rights while also looking to appease their trustees and donor bases who back Israel’s brutal war. A generation has been galvanized and politicized, experiencing extreme repression for simply demanding their institutions cut ties with one of the great human…
The 2024 U.S. presidential election is witnessing a battle for influence between ultrawealthy donors and major candidates like Joe Biden and Donald Trump. While Biden has support from Hollywood and Silicon Valley billionaires, Trump is backed by figures like Tim Dunn and the Uihleins. Recently, a surprising trend has emerged as powerful billionaires who previously distanced themselves from Trump are now rallying back to support him, setting aside concerns for democracy. Despite criticisms and disavowals after the Capitol insurrection, billionaires like Stephen Schwarzman and Nelson Peltz are now backing Trump once again. Experts suggest that the billionaire elite are attracted…