CCDS Discussion Forums with Carl Bloice
by Harry targ and Marian Gordon
Carl Bloice, CCDS National Coordinating Committee member and Black Commentator columnist, has been engaging discussion on the twin crisis of the economy and the Iraq war as the key issues influencing the national elections. At a CCDS public forum March 20th at Columbia College in Chicago, Bloice reminded the audience that progressives foresaw the seeds of the economic crisis, particularly the mortgage issue, two years ago - well before it was covered in the mainstream media. He warned that progressives need to direct the electoral campaign struggle away from “economic jingoism,” i.e. blaming immigrants, the Chinese, or other bogus reasons for the crises of financial speculation, unemployment, and crumbling infrastructure. Progressives need to put forth an agenda linking the war and the economy and addressing the fundamental causes of these problems, he said. In particular, Bloice emphasized, progressives must reach out to and work with youth who are concerned about their futures and want guidance on how to relate to the electoral process. In the end, he argued, elections matter and progressives need to work vigorously based on that assumption over the next several months until November. On March 30th, Bloice led a stimulating discussion at a CCDS chapter meeting held at the Los Angeles Peace Center on the current state of the US economy, and its effects around the world. The 25 people who attended discussed the differing approaches to the economic crises of the two Democratic presidential candidates, and compared the current period to previous economic crises in US history.
"CCDS" Panel at the How Class Works Conference in NY
“Class, Race, Gender and the Crisis of Political Economy” is the topic of a CCDS sponsored panel at the How Class Works - 2008 conference of the Working Class Studies Association, June 5-7, to be held at Stony Brook University. CCDS members Harry Targ, Meta Van Sickle, Carl Bloice, Mark Solomon and Ira Grupper will present. The CCDS panel will be June 5, 1:45-3:15pm. More info: http://www.stonybrook.edu/workingclass/conference/2008
Schedule of CCDS Forums with Carl Bloice
- June 3, Boston CCDS Forum, 1:00 PM, Bowditch Community Room, 82 Green St., Jamaica Plain, MA
- June 5, Stonybrook University, “How Class Works Conference,” 1:45-3:15 PM
- June 8, Metro NY CCDS Forum, Musicians Union Local 802, 322 W. 48th St, Manhattan, 1:00 - 3:00 PM
- June 28, No. Cal. CCDS Membership Meeting, Niebyl-Proctor Marxist Library, 10:00 AM, Oakland, CA