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Florence Prison and the Fight to Free Oscar Lopez Florence Prison and the Fight to Free Oscar Lopez
Date: 1/20/1995Call Number: JG/ 075AFormat: Cass AProducers: Judy GerberProgram: A Defiant HeartCollection: Programs produced by Judy Gerber and Laurie Simms
Lugo Lopez and Alejandro Molina of the National Committee to Free Puerto Rican Political Prisoners and Prisoners of War (Chicago) protesting the imprisonment of Oscar Lopez, sentenced to 75+ years on seditious conspiracy charges for his political work in Puerto Rico.
The Economic Problems of Latin America The Economic Problems of Latin America
Date: 2/3/1995Call Number: JG/ 075BFormat: Cass BProducers: Judy GerberProgram: A Defiant HeartCollection: Programs produced by Judy Gerber and Laurie Simms
News and information from Latin America emphasizing economic problems. Report on border skirmishes between Ecuador and Peru and the historic role of the United States in the conflict. Abstracts from the October/November issue of 'Barricada International,' a Sandinista journal, on the Mexican loan renewal debate and the role of international development banks in Nicaragua. Includes a reading from David Berkin's article "An Alternative Vision of Mexican Development."
Salvadoran Politics, 1995 Salvadoran Politics, 1995
Date: 1/6/1995Call Number: JG/ 087AFormat: Cass AProducers: Judy GerberProgram: A Defiant HeartCollection: Programs produced by Judy Gerber and Laurie Simms
This is a recording on the political realignments in El Salvador on the Third Anniversary of the ceasefire. Reading of Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador's 'El Salvador Watch' article: "FMLN Redefining and Renewing the Salvadoran Left.' The article describes the December 17, 1994 FMLN party convention in which the group split. While centrist groups departed from the FMLN, the party is in whole solid and reorganizing into a renewed leftist political option. There have also been realignment across the Salvadoran political spectrum including on the right. ARENA has broken off from the Liberal Democratic Party because it supposedly resents the peace. While half the population abstained in the last election, the political reality is much more democratic in El Salvador.
International Women’s Day 1995 International Women’s Day 1995
Date: 3/5/1995Call Number: JG/ 087BFormat: Cass BProducers: Judy GerberProgram: A Defiant HeartCollection: Programs produced by Judy Gerber and Laurie Simms
Interview with Judy Siff of the Prairie Fire Organizing Committee who speaks of the creation, destruction and recreation of International Women's Day. It is a day when women recognize women who are in struggle around the world. Siff advocates visiting women in prison and describes the situation of Laura Whitehorn, an anti-racist political prisoner accused of resistance conspiracy and sentenced to 15 years of prison. Readings from Margaret Randall's 'Sandino's Daughters Revisited,' a book of interviews and commentary about Nicaraguan feminism following the defeat of the FSLN in 1990. The book describes how the Sandinista movement brought women into public leadership but within its male-dominated power structure. Following are excerpts of an interview with Michelle Nageles, a feminist activist at the University of Central America who envisions a newfound solidarity amongst women in Nicaragua.
Martha Reese on Southern Mexico and Guatemala Martha Reese on Southern Mexico and Guatemala
Date: 10/1/1995Call Number: JG/ 092AFormat: Cass AProducers: Judy GerberProgram: A Defiant HeartCollection: Programs produced by Judy Gerber and Laurie Simms
Interview with Martha Reese, anthropology professor at Agnes Scott College in Georgia on her work in Southern Mexico and Central America. Reese describes her work in Guatemala with organizing women textile workers and describes the dangers that such women face. She notes that women have become increasingly bold despite attacks against them. Reese then describes the Mexican crisis of legitimacy in Chiapas, including popular protest movements and the militarization of the region. She fears an army takeover of the Mexican government with the breakdown and bankruptcy of the PRI. She describes the poor economic situation in Mexico and describes local coping methods. She very harshly criticizes the U.S. state department. Not an objective interview.
Martha Reese on economic and political situation in Mexico Martha Reese on economic and political situation in Mexico
Date: 2/17/1995Call Number: JG/ 093AFormat: Cass AProducers: Judy GerberProgram: A Defiant HeartCollection: Programs produced by Judy Gerber and Laurie Simms
Interview with Martha Reese, anthropology professor at Agnes Scott College in Georgia on the economic and political situation in Mexico. Reese outlines the course of the economic crisis in Mexico, noting growing divisions within the PRI. She harshly critiques the Mexican voting system and comments on popular Mexican perceptions of said system. She notes massive protests in Mexico City supporting the EZLN and protesting international and U.S. finance organizations and the CIA. She doubts that the PRI will take any steps towards fostering democracy.
Her Wits About Her Rebroadcast Her Wits About Her Rebroadcast
Date: 8/3/1995Call Number: JG/ 094Format: CassetteProducers: Judy GerberProgram: A Defiant HeartCollection: Programs produced by Judy Gerber and Laurie Simms
Rebroadcast of 'Her Wits About Her' from several years prior.
Andres Gomez on U.S. - Cuba relations Andres Gomez on U.S. - Cuba relations
Date: 9/1/1995Call Number: JG/ 095Format: CassetteProducers: Judy GerberProgram: A Defiant HeartCollection: Programs produced by Judy Gerber and Laurie Simms
Excerpt of a talk by Andres Gomez, National Coordinator of the Antonio Maseo Brigade, a group of Cuban Americans in support of Cuba and opposed to the U.S. embargo. Gomez begins his talk by optimistically noting recent efforts at Caribbean regional cooperation. He then discuses the long course of U.S.- Cuba relations. He decries how some 35,000 Cubans have been held over the past year at Guantanamo Bay for desiring to immigrate to the U.S. whereas the U.S. had actively encouraged Cuban immigration for the past 35 years. Gomez believes that the Cuban Revolution embodies Cuba at heart and that U.S. imperial efforts to destroy the Revolution have hurt the Cuban people. He notes social gains in Cuba over the past 32 years compared to the U.S. but notes that the poor economic situation in '92 and '92 with the demise of the U.S.S.R. have been very trying for the Revolution. He believes that Cubans must now build socialism under different terms with the new national and international circumstances. He sees a need for a freer, more participatory Cuban society, but insists that the U.S. likewise faces many problems of its own.
Focus on Racism Focus on Racism
Date: 10/20/1995Call Number: JG/ 096AFormat: Cass AProducers: Judy GerberProgram: A Defiant HeartCollection: Programs produced by Judy Gerber and Laurie Simms
Focus on Racism. Interview with Judy Siff and Bill Crossman of the Prairie Fire Organizing Committee on their class 'Culture Clash' on the history of white supremacy and its impact on U.S. history. At the occasion of the Million Man March, racism is on the public agenda for the first time in many years. Siff and Crossman note how 1995 has been a remarkable year for publicity of racism, particularly the Mumia Abu Jamal and Susan Smith cases. They believe that the problem of race in the U.S. transcends racism to root inequality through institutions, including a very central role of the police and judicial system in promoting white supremacy. They argue that the white perception of reality needs to change, that a new common consciousness must be forged. They note how racism targets many different groups in the U.S., not just Blacks, and how mainstream white society usually turns a blind eye.
Focus on Racism Focus on Racism
Date: 11/3/1995Call Number: JG/ 096BFormat: Cass BProducers: Judy GerberProgram: A Defiant HeartCollection: Programs produced by Judy Gerber and Laurie Simms
Focus on Racism continued. Interview with Judy Siff and Bill Crossman of the Prairie Fire Organizing Committee on their class 'Culture Clash' on the history of white supremacy and its impact on U.S. history. Siff and Crossman talk about the book 'The Myth of the White Proletariat' that challenges deep myths of White America. According to the book, popular misconceptions regarding race and racism in the U.S. stem historically from the national foundation, particularly notions about who the early settlers were, what the existing native population was like, and who actually benefited from the system of slavery. Siff and Crossman argue that this nation was an empire from the start, seizing and subjugating nations, and that the nation as a whole benefited from slavery. They believe that all white people no matter what social class, has benefited from white supremacy.