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cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/36109165

SponsorBlock, Timestamps, and Generated Summary below:

SponsorBlock Timestamp:

  1. 0:00.000 - 1:04.400 Preview/Recap
  2. 28:50.000 - 29:04.840 Endcards/Credits

Video Description:

#usnews #uspolitics #chrishedges #RevolutionaryBlackoutNetwork #nickcruse #usimperialism #Trump #workingclass #charliekirkshooting

FULL VIDEO:

Chris Hedges and Kshama Sawant Join RBN Live to Discuss Strategy [01:19:05 | https://youtu.be/Vq1svORyJTk]

Generated Summary:

Chris Hedges on Working Class Organizing Outside the System

This interview features Chris Hedges discussing the necessity of working-class organizing outside of the established political system, which he argues is irredeemable. He emphasizes the power of strikes and mass non-cooperation as the most effective tools for change, drawing on historical examples from around the world.

Key Points:

  • Systemic Failure: Hedges asserts that the judicial and media systems are controlled by corporate power, making it impossible to achieve meaningful change from within. He argues the current system is beyond resuscitation.
  • The Power of Strikes: Hedges identifies the strike as the primary mechanism for challenging the capitalist class, which has actively worked to suppress workers’ ability to strike since the 1970s.
  • Critique of Electoral Politics: Hedges views electoral politics as a distraction, stating that voting is merely “buying a ticket to their burlesque.” He hasn’t voted for a Democrat since 2000 and believes that focusing on elections diverts energy from more effective forms of resistance.
  • Mobilization over Arming: Hedges argues against arming the proletariat, suggesting that mass non-cooperation and strikes are more effective. He notes that violent revolutions often replicate the oppressive structures they aim to overthrow.
  • Importance of Independent Movements: Movements for social and economic change must remain independent of both Democratic and Republican parties. The unholy relationship between labor leadership and the Democratic party needs to be broken.
  • Oligarchic vs. Corporate Power: Hedges distinguishes between oligarchic power (parasitic, seeks chaos, exemplified by Amazon) and corporate power (seeks stability, trade deals). He argues that the current political battle is between these two forms of capitalism.
  • The Role of Political Leadership: The discussion highlights the necessity of political leadership to show a strategy that works, emphasizing that movements need to be independent of established parties.
  • Repudiation of the Ruling Class: The election results, including the large number of non-voters and those who switched sides, indicate a broader rejection of the ruling class and the capitalist system.
  • Tragedy of Violence: Hedges views violence, including revolutionary violence, as always tragic, while acknowledging the circumstances that may push people towards it.
  • Non-violent Resistance: While understanding why resistance fighters might pick up arms, Hedges points out that non-violent resistance can be more threatening to oppressive regimes because it resonates globally.

Highlights:

  • “We think we’re the doctors. We’re not the doctors. We’re the disease.” - A quote from Alexander Harrison, emphasizing the corrupting influence of the system.
  • “There’s nothing more stubborn than a corpse. You can hit it, you can knock it to pieces, but you can’t convince it.” - Illustrating the futility of trying to reform a dead system.
  • “If elections were that effective, they’d be illegal.” - Emma Goldman’s quote underscoring the limited impact of electoral politics.
  • The 1971 Powell memo is mentioned as a key turning point in the capitalist class’s efforts to suppress the ability of American workers to strike.
  • KKR’s acquisition and exploitation of nursing homes serves as a concrete example of how oligarchic power operates by setting up “toll booths” and extracting wealth from essential services.

About Channel, Revolutionary Blackout:

Blacking Out Corporate Propaganda and Educating for a Revolution.

“You can jail a Revolutionary, but you can’t jail the Revolution.” – Fred Hampton (1948 - 1969)

We should focus our actions, time, and resources on Direct Action, Mutual Aid, and Community Outreach. If you do engage in Electoral Politics do not support the Duopoly (Red or Blue Team). No War but Class War!

Edit:

  1. Title edit: added all names of guests on title