Doug Henwood Talks

[how utterly strange]

PRESS ALERT

Be a better Globetrotter. Get better travel answers from someone who =

knows. Yahoo! Answers - Check it out. PRESS ALERT Diverse voices publish statement calling on people to engage the =

voice of Bob Avakian

June 18, 2007

Engage! A Committee to Project and Protect the Voice of Bob Avakian 1474 University Avenue, #141, Berkeley, California 94702 engagewbobavakian@yahoo.com / www.engagewithbobavakian.org Phone: 415.902.7936

Press contact: D=92Andre Teeter, 415.902.7936

Over 130 people, from many different perspectives, have signed their =

names to a statement titled, =93Dangerous times demand courageous =

voices. Bob Avakian is such a voice.=94 The growing list of =

signatories includes influential academics, musicians and artists, as =

well as award-winning poets, clergy, writers and actors.

The statement, appearing in this week=92s Nation Magazine, in print and =

on-line, the Harlem-based Amsterdam News and BlackCommentator.com, is =

calling on others to engage with the works of Bob Avakian, leader of =

the Revolutionary Communist Party. It is also making it known that =

those who have signed this statement intend to protect his voice from =

suppression and repression.

Statement & complete list of signatories: http:// =

engagewithbobavakian.org/statement.htm

The following signatories are currently available for press interviews:

Rev. Jon Eckels, a Methodist minister, human rights activist, poet =

and essayist. He has written 14 volumes of poetry, and won the =

American Book Award in 2000 for Sing When the Spirit Says Sing. His =

other written works include Pursuing the Pursuit: The Black Plight in =

White America, a study of slavery and contemporary oppression of =

African Americans. His Home is Where the Soul Is (1969), published by =

the influential Broadside Press, is considered one of the seminal =

works of the Black poetry movement. He is currently working on three =

books, including one about the relationship between Blacks and Jews, =

and one containing critical social essays. Rev. Eckels has taught at =

Stanford, Mills and was a visiting scholar at the University of Ghana =

in Ligon and as an instructor of English, American literature, =

poetry, and creative writing at Mills College and Merritt College in =

Oakland, CA. At Mills, he was instrumental in developing the Black =

Studies Program.

Dr. Tony Jackson, Professor of Psychology at Skyline College. He =

coordinates the ASTEP (African-American Success Through Excellence =

and Persistence) program. As a teenage parent and single black father =

he struggled to pursue and complete his education while maintaining =

involvement in the entertainment industry. As a songwriter/producer =

he has continued to promote constructive messages for youth. Tony’s =

experience growing up in South Central Los Angeles has been a =

catalyst for work in substance abuse prevention, counseling, gang =

intervention and mentoring.

Michael “Slim” Lange, an actor, playwright and director. He is known =

for his more than 150 performances as Malcolm X on stages around the =

country. He has also starred in “The Meeting”, a portrayal of a =

fictional conversation between Martin Luther King and Malcolm. He is =

presently working on a play about Nat Turner. Michael is an =

instructor at San Jose State University, a former high school =

wrestling coach, and an accomplished guitarist.

Lucia Marano, an actor/writer/producer raised between Italy and New =

York. Her NYC stage credits include roles in =93No Exit,=94 =

=93Lysistrata,=94 =93The Rose Tattoo=94 and =93Macbeth.=94 Los Angeles role= s =

include playing Tina Modotti and Frida Kahlo in =93Artists and =

Revolutionaries,=94 =93Anger Mis-Management,=94 =93Love & Secrecy Unveiled,= =94 =

and in the play =93Deseo=94 with the Mexican theater ensemble Mexicali a =

Secas at theater venues in Mexican cities.

Heriberto Ocasio, is a supporter of the Revolutionary Communist =

Party. Raised in the South Bronx, he was part of the Puerto Rican =

liberation movement of the 60=92s and 70=92s, active with the Young Lords =

Party. He is also a practicing emergency medicine physician. In =

1982, during the Israeli invasion of Lebanon, he traveled to Beirut =

where he cared for patients with extensive burns and cluster-bomb =

injuries.

Adam Shapiro, radio program host, whose “Current Events” show is =

featured on WRFG, Radio Free Georgia, a community-based Pacifica =

affiliated station in Atlanta. He grew up in New York and has lived =

in the Atlanta area since 1983. He is a member of the Georgia Council =

of the Blind and the Georgia Green Party, and an advisor to the =

Atlanta Transit Authority for people with disabilities. His interests =

are in building a third party in Georgia and disability activism. He =

considers himself a socialist who wants people to have power over the =

services available to them.

Bob Weick, National Touring Actor of Howard Zinn’s, =93MARX IN SOHO.=94 =

The celebrated actor and 2003 Barrymore Award nominee has presented =

over 100 performances of Zinn’s play from Maine to California. A =

Graduate of Lehigh University and a farrier by trade, Bob began his =

acting career in 1995 and in the aftermath of the 2000 election, =

9/11, and the 2003 invasion of Iraq, chose to use his talent to =

contribute to the education and engagement of students and citizens.

The following are commentaries from signatories:

=93Bob Avakian is a long distance runner in the freedom struggle =

against imperialism, racism and capitalism. His voice and witness =

are indispensable in our efforts to enhance the wretched of the =

earth. And his powerful story of commitment is timely.=94 – Cornel West, Professor of Religion, Princeton, Commenting on From =

Ike to Mao and Beyond, my Journey from Mainstream America to =

Revolutionary Communism

=93…Bob Avakian=92s new and innovative conception of =91Communism=92 =

deserves consideration.=94 – Tom Harker, Free Press review of From Ike to Mao and Beyond=85

=93There is insight and truth-speaking in this vital book which those =

of us of religious faith need to hear and to which we need to respond.=94 – Rev. George W. Webber, Professor of Urban Ministry and President =

Emeritus of N.Y. Theological Seminary, on Preaching from a Pulpit of =

Bones: We Need Morality But Not Traditional Morality.

=93Everything he=92s saying about sports, I lived through it… I =

couldn=92t believe how deeply and accurately Bob Avakian described =

everything. It=92s unbelievable how it describes what happened to Black =

players. It is so excellent and incredible…=94 – Hal Perry, USF Dons Basketball NCAA Champions, 1955-56, on the =

talk, =93The NBA: Marketing the Minstrel Show and Serving the Big =

Gangsters.=94

=93This present day [is a] political cocktail of deception, Christian =

zealots, environmental & wildlife decay, war, and divided countrymen =

& women… Can I =96can we– collectively strive for a rich =

understanding of yesterday, a better today, & an even greater =

tomorrow. The voice of Avakian says, yes, WE CAN… Open your heart & =

mind=97not just for today, but everyday. Avakian says he has committed =

to a better way of life. Okay. I am willing to listen. I am willing =

to be engaged.=94 – Lucia Marano, Actor and Writer

“=92History is not over!=92 The truth of these opening words from =

Benjamin Barber=92s book Jihad vs. McWorld are obvious, and yet this =

simple fact also serves as a compelling call to action. It is a =

hopeful reminder that we the people can continue to shape the future =

and work towards a truly just world. In order to achieve that end, =

we must engage all the great thinkers of the past as well as those in =

our current epoch. Bob Avakian, with his informed critique of the =

history of capitalism and his vision of the future of communism, =

deserves a place at the table of any national discussion seeking =

tools to create a better world for the mass of humanity.=94 – Bob Weick, National Touring Actor of Howard Zinn’s, “MARX IN SOHO=94

=94[Avakian] …offers a full plan for revolutionary transformation, =

and he gets the attention of Black Americans right away on these four =

DVDs in his passionate discussion of lynching, police brutality, =

racial profiling and issues pertinent to African Americans. Recalling =

the vicious assaults on Claude Neal, Mary Turner and Emmett Till, =

Avakian provides a brutal and bloody outline of tragedy, and does it =

with a fervor that is far too uncommon coming from the mouth of a =

white man=85=94 – Herb Boyd, Amsterdam News, commenting on the DVD Revolution, Why =

it=92s Necessary, Why it=92s Possible, What it=92s All About

=93In times like these, this clear voice for social change is a welcome =

relief from all the confusion and lies… Listen and you will truly =

hear a voice of reason, with sharp analysis and deep understanding, =

going up against the tide of injustice and oppression.=94 – Rev. Earl Kooperkamp, Pastor, St. Mary=92s Church, Harlem, N.Y.

=93… Bob Avakian is in a special category for me, because he is not =

only engaged with the attempt to theorize the world and what it would =

take to change it, but he is also playing a special role in =

organizing and leading that change.=94 – Bill Martin, Professor of Philosophy, DePaul University in the =

introduction to Marxism and the Call of the Future.

---

The following statement appeared in the Amsterdam News and The Nation:

=94Dangerous times demand courageous voices. Bob Avakian is such a voice.

Bob Avakian combines an unsparing critique of the history and current =

direction of American society with a sweeping view of world history =

and the potential for humanity. He has brought forth a fresh, =

relevant and compelling approach to Marxism, deeply analyzing the =

history of the Communist movement and the socialist revolutions and =

upholds their achievements. At the same time, he honestly confronts =

and criticizes what he views as their shortcomings, opening up new =

paths of inquiry in the process and initiating dialogue with people =

who hold a wide range of views. He=92s addressing the burning problems =

before society from a unique vantage point, and we consider his =

revolutionary analysis and solutions to be an important and necessary =

part of the ferment and discourse required in this society and the =

world in this dark time. While those of us signing this statement do =

not necessarily agree with all of his views, we have come away from =

encounters with Avakian provoked and enriched in our own thinking, =

and we invite others to hear and engage that voice.

Bob Avakian is also the leader of the Revolutionary Communist Party, =

USA; as such he not only theorizes about the world, but plays a =

special role in organizing and leading that change. He=92s been called =

a =93long-distance runner in the freedom struggle against imperialism, =

racism and capitalism=94 and he draws on deep connections and =

engagement with people from all walks of life and all corners of the =

earth. All this informs and animates his work.

Unfortunately, such voices in this country are, and have been, all =

too frequently the objects of suppression and repression. This =

repressive edge in American society has been particularly brought to =

bear against those who advocate revolution and especially those who =

do so effectively. Surveillance, harassment, suppression, political =

trials, prison terms, exile and even assassination have been the =

fates of many revolutionaries throughout U.S. history and many of =

those measures have, in fact, been visited upon Avakian. The current =

administration has instituted serious repressive measures like the =

Patriot Act, instituted the use of preventive detention and isolation =

of those whom the president deems to be =93terrorist=94, and has created =

a climate where, for example, radical or even liberal professors find =

their reputations and even their livelihoods under assault; all this =

makes the ability of Bob Avakian to freely function even more of a =

concern. The statement by the German pastor Martin Niemoller =96 which =

begins, =93First they came for the communists, and I did nothing =

because I was not a communist=94 and which goes on to describe how =

Niemoller did nothing while Hitler peeled away the victims of the =

Nazi regime one at a time, until there was no one left to defend =

Niemoller when his time came =96 sounds with particular resonance today.

Thus, in addition to calling on people to engage with the thoughts of =

Bob Avakian, and bring them into what needs to be a rich and diverse =

dialogue, we are also serving notice to this government that we =

intend to defend his right to freely advocate and organize for his =

views, and to engage broadly with people about those views.=94

INITIAL LIST OF SIGNATORIES:

INITIAL LIST OF SIGNATORIES: Charles Aikens, journalist, Oaktown News* Jaafar Aksikas, Prof., Cultural Studies, Columbia College* Aladdin, actor, comedian Bob Anderson, Prof., College of New Mexico* Rafael C. Angulo, Assoc. Clinical Field Faculty, USC* Bernardo Attias, Prof., CA State Univ., Northridge* Fr. Luis Barrios, John Jay College* David Best, artist Robert Bloom, attorney Herb Boyd, author, journalist Anne Bray, artist Michael E. Brown, Prof. of Sociology, Northeastern Univ.* Leroy Bryant, Sr., Prof. and Chmn. Emeritus, History, Philosophy, Political Science, African-American Studies, Chicago State Univ.* Kevin Burgess, Black Vietnam Vet Rev. Richard Meri Ka Ra Byrd, KRST Ctr. of African Spirituality* Angelica Carapia, Editor, Laney Tower* Robert Keith Collins, PhD, Homalusa: Ctr. for African and Native American Research* Jeff Cooper, Dir., Freshman & Transfer Summer Progs., UCLA* Chuck D Jesse D.iaz, Jr, UC Riverside* Victor Diaz, Principal, B-Tech High School* Dr. Roger Dittman, Pres., Scientists Without Borders* Lynn Domingo, human rights activist Derek Dorsey, music publisher, co-owner, The Fire* Judy Drummond, teacher Richard Duardo, artist Ramona Dvorak, MD, Harvard Univ.* Quentin Easter, theater producer Rev. Jon Eckels, poet, human rights activist Dick Eiden, Dir., North County Forum* Amon Emeka, Assist. Prof. of Sociology, USC* Sonny Espinoza, Prof., Loyola Marymount Univ.* Jeffrey Felshman, writer Leslie Fields-Cruz, media arts administrator Joe Fortunato, attorney and NJ Green Party* reg e. gaines, director Jim Geraghty, Marin Peace and Justice Coalition* Joan P. Gibbs, Natl. Conf. of Black Lawyers, Jericho Movement Lois Gish, nurse-midwife Bill Goodman, civil rights lawyer Connie Grappo, theater director Tom Harker, singer, songwriter Lilith Hazard, student Bob Helmick, retired contractor Julia Butterfly Hill, activist, author Jack Hirschman, SF Poet Laureate Danny Hoch, actor, playwright Rachel Holmes, author Phil Hutchings, civil & human rights activist John Hutnyk, Academic Dir., Ctr. for Cultural Studies, Goldsmiths Univ. of London* H. Range Hutson, MD, Harvard Medical School* Dr. Tony Jackson, psychologist, artist Bill Jennings, It=92s About Time Committee* Russ Jennings, radio producer Talbert Jennings, producer, Carl Stokes Forum, Community TV Steve Johnson, activist, thinker, writer Larry S. Jones, retired adjunct instructor, Chaminade Univ. Rickie Lee Jones, singer, musician Pa Joof, Africans On the Move* Paul Kangas, Vice Pres., Veterans for Peace* Erin Aubry Kaplan, journalist, writer Yuri Kochiyama, civil rights activist Rev. Earl Kooperkamp, St. Mary=92s Episcopal Church* David Kunzle, Prof., UCLA* Mike Ladd, writer, producer Ray Laforest, staff organizer, Dist. Council 1707 AFSME* Member Pacifica Natl. Board* Michael Lange, actor, playwright Aron Laub, attorney Kenny Leon, theater director Calvin Levels, actor, playwright Brian Lloyd, Dept. of History, UC Riverside* Dennis Loo, Assoc. Prof. of Sociology, Cal Poly Pomona* Raymond Lotta, Maoist political economist Fr. Lawrence Lucas, Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church* Paul Magno, Catholic Worker Movement* devorah major, author Lucia Marano, actor, writer Bill Martin, Prof. of Philosophy, DePaul Univ.* Timothy Patrick McCarthy, Harvard Univ.* Peter McLaren, Prof. of Education, UCLA* David Meltzer, poet, Professor, New College of California* David Meyerhof, teacher Alan Miller, teacher, Berkeley H.S.* Eric Mofford, filmmaker Will Napoli, teacher, writer, artist, inventor Not a Number, store, Seattle Susan Nussbaum, actress Heriberto Ocasio, MD Denise Oliver, Instructor of English, Cuyahoga Community College* Tom=E1s Olmos, civil rights attorney Claire Ortalda, novelist Gary Pak, Prof. of English, Univ. of Hawai=92=92i* Jose Palafox, lecturer, UC Santa Cruz* Hal Perry, basketball player Peter Phillips, Prof. of Sociology, Sonoma State Univ.,* Dir. , Project Censored* Townsand Price-Spratlen, PhD, sociologist Jerry Quickley, playwright Ruth Reese, Black Studies Prog., Cleveland State Univ.* Rhadames Rivera, SEIU Local 1199, New York* Phil Rice, MD, Harvard Medical School* DJ Riddm Wilson Riles, Jr., former Oakland City Councilman Walter Riley, attorney Tara Rivera, librarian Victoria Robinson, lecturer, UC Berkeley* Al Ronzoni, Progressive Democrats of America* Floyd Salas, author, poet Dorothy Salem, Prof. of History Ricardo Salinas, actor, Culture Clash* Vicky Scheidler Thomas Willy Sepe, artist Elias Serna, lecturer Nick Setka, bookseller Adam Shapiro, Current Events WRFG* C. Zadik Shapiro, attorney Joann Shapiro, theater artist Herbert Siguenza, Culture Clash* Henry Silverman, Prof. and Chairperson Emeritus, Dept. of History, Michigan State Univ.* Rick Simonson, Elliott Bay Book Co.* Ted Sirota, musician Michael Slate, host & producer KPFK, journalist Revolution Jimmy Slater, Black Panther Party Tolbert Small, MD, George Jackson Free Clinic for the Black Panther Party* Sparrow, poet Carol Steiner, tenacious misfit Lynne Stewart Brenda C. Stokely, Million Worker March* convenor Ula Taylor, Assoc. Prof., UC Berkeley* minimum tek, musician Hank Willis Thomas, artist, photographer Dwight Trible, musician Daniel Tsang, KUCI Subversity Show* Katherine Turner, St. Vartan Armenian Church* Morrie Turner, cartoonist Kinan Valdez, writer & director, El Teatro Campesino* Jose Luis Valenzuela, Artistic Dir., Latino Theater Co., Prof. of Theater, Film and Television, UCLA Collins Van Nort, teacher Chuy Varela, radio producer & writer Tony Vick, DJ Vick Paul Von Blum, Prof., African American Studies, UCLA* Michael Tarif Warren, attorney Rev. George W. Webber, Prof. of Urban Ministry, Pres. Emeritus, NY Theological Seminary* Bob Weick, actor, =93Marx in Soho=94 Cornel West, Prof. of Religion, Princeton Univ.* Susan Wicklund, MD Michael Williams, Black Studies Prog., Cleveland State Univ.* Saul Williams, artist Dr. Donald E. Winters, author Soul of the Wobblies John Wood, poet, Prof. Emeritus, McNeese Univ.* Kriss Worthington, Berkeley City Councilmember Marvin X, The Univ. of Poetry* Malik Yakini, educator, activist Al Young, California Poet Laureate David Zeiger, filmmaker, =93Sir! No Sir!=94

• for identification purposes only.

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