Would you like to know more about the backgrounds and histories behind today's news? Subscribe to keepingdemocracyalive.com to find out the whys of where we are. Also interviews with authors of new non-fiction books. From a left perspective. Entertaining and educational twice weekly one hour shows since 2004.
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Keeping democracy alive Democracy is not a spectator sport, it requires informed participating citizens. On Keeping Democracy Alive, we delve into dynamics that both inhibit democracy and reinvigorate it. looking into issues from: domestic economic issues to foreign, labor, trade, and education policy, NSA spying, the drug war, prison, police, and judicial issues, electoral and protest politics, middle east realities, right and left wing populism, environmental and energy issues, the wealth ...
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On Rosh Hashanah: Netanyahu, The Israeli Right, and Jewish Identity
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In light of the Israeli state’s massive assault on Gaza, and now Lebanon, the question comes up: What does it mean to be a Jew? Our guest veteran New York Times sportswriter Robert Lipsyte says being a Jew entails certain The post On Rosh Hashanah: Netanyahu, The Israeli Right, and Jewish Identity appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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The Deep Roots of American Illiberalism,Yes Illiberalism
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Many Americans were appalled at the violent January 6th assault on the capitol. The thought was: “That’s not who we are.” But in truth, throughout our history, a great number of Americans have supported hierarchies and authoritarianism; freedom for us The post The Deep Roots of American Illiberalism,Yes Illiberalism appeared first on Keeping Democr…
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On Rosh Hashanah: Netanyahu, The Israeli Right, and Jewish Identity
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In light of the Israeli state’s massive assault on Gaza, and now Lebanon, the question comes up: What does it mean to be a Jew? Our guest veteran New York Times sportswriter Robert Lipsyte says being a Jew entails certain The post On Rosh Hashanah: Netanyahu, The Israeli Right, and Jewish Identity appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Corporations have their own interests at heart. From post-Civil War America through to Germany in 1933 to America today. And knowing public image counts, many try to have it both ways: bragging that they support reproductive and LGBTQ rights as The post Is Corporatocracy Unstoppable? appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Corporations have their own interests at heart. From post-Civil War America through to Germany in 1933 to America today. And knowing public image counts, many try to have it both ways: bragging that they support reproductive and LGBTQ rights as The post Is Corporatocracy Unstoppable? appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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From Rockefeller Republicanism to Trumpism: How Did We Get Here?
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“People think of Nelson Rockefeller as the epitome of moderate Republicanism.” But what appears to be a clean break from this tradition is really an evolution. Author Professor Marsha E. Barrett explains how the shift to the right was something The post From Rockefeller Republicanism to Trumpism: How Did We Get Here? appeared first on Keeping Democ…
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From Rockefeller Republicanism to Trumpism: How Did We Get Here?
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“People think of Nelson Rockefeller as the epitome of moderate Republicanism.” But what appears to be a clean break from this tradition is really an evolution. Author Professor Marsha E. Barrett explains how the shift to the right was something The post From Rockefeller Republicanism to Trumpism: How Did We Get Here? appeared first on Keeping Democ…
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Architecture as the Ultimate Expression of Power: Gaza 2035
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It was only discovered in an architectural trade journal: Netanyahu’s “Gaza 2035.” Architects were hired to provide models of a new Gaza , the old one having been flattened. Steel and glass high risers being erected where once a people The post Architecture as the Ultimate Expression of Power: Gaza 2035 appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Architecture as the Ultimate Expression of Power: Gaza 2035
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It was only discovered in an architectural trade journal: Netanyahu’s “Gaza 2035.” Architects were hired to provide models of a new Gaza , the old one having been flattened. Steel and glass high risers being erected where once a people The post Architecture as the Ultimate Expression of Power: Gaza 2035 appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Nuts and Bolts: What Needs to be Learned to Make Our Agenda Reality
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As Americans, we want what we want right now. But it doesn’t work that way to make real political change. As with any mechanism, there are certain things that must be learned to make it work and achieve our goals. The post Nuts and Bolts: What Needs to be Learned to Make Our Agenda Reality appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Nuts and Bolts: What Needs to be Learned to Make Our Agenda Reality
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As Americans, we want what we want right now. But it doesn’t work that way to make real political change. As with any mechanism, there are certain things that must be learned to make it work and achieve our goals. The post Nuts and Bolts: What Needs to be Learned to Make Our Agenda Reality appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Criminalizing The Unhoused Gets Us Nowhere
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Some might call it “cruel and unusual punishment,” arresting, sweeping the parks, bulldozing homeless encampments. Others believe if people are poor it’s their own fault. On this show, the Reverend Dr. Liz Theoharis of The Kairos Center discusses an essay The post Criminalizing The Unhoused Gets Us Nowhere appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Criminalizing The Unhoused Gets Us Nowhere
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Some might call it “cruel and unusual punishment,” arresting, sweeping the parks, bulldozing homeless encampments. Others believe if people are poor it’s their own fault. On this show, the Reverend Dr. Liz Theoharis of The Kairos Center discusses an essay The post Criminalizing The Unhoused Gets Us Nowhere appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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A Military Security State and the Erosion of Freedom
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They love to say America has the strongest military of any nation ever. But boasting usually leads to disaster. On this show, we hear from William J. Astore, a retired lieutenant colonel of the US Air Force and professor of The post A Military Security State and the Erosion of Freedom appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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A Military Security State and the Erosion of Freedom
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They love to say America has the strongest military of any nation ever. But boasting usually leads to disaster. On this show, we hear from William J. Astore, a retired lieutenant colonel of the US Air Force and professor of The post A Military Security State and the Erosion of Freedom appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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History professor Matt Warshauer argues in his new book that the 9/11 generation is the most unique in American history, and he explains how. The title is Creating and Failing the 9/11 Generation. This generation has seen a nonfunctional government, The post What is the 9/11 Generation? appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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History professor Matt Warshauer argues in his new book that the 9/11 generation is the most unique in American history, and he explains how. The title is Creating and Failing the 9/11 Generation. This generation has seen a nonfunctional government, The post What is the 9/11 Generation? appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Evangelicals Souring on Trump: Why It Took So Long.
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He got 81% of the evangelical vote in key swing states in 2016. Our guest today the Reverend Doug Pagitt is exceptionally familiar with what goes on with evangelical Christians, and he says he expects Trump to get less than The post Evangelicals Souring on Trump: Why It Took So Long. appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Evangelicals Souring on Trump: Why It Took So Long.
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He got 81% of the evangelical vote in key swing states in 2016. Our guest today the Reverend Doug Pagitt is exceptionally familiar with what goes on with evangelical Christians, and he says he expects Trump to get less than The post Evangelicals Souring on Trump: Why It Took So Long. appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Gen Z, Millennials and The 2024 Presidential Election
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They weren’t there for Biden. A large chunk of young men are for Trump, but with a new presidential candidate, the Democratic Party is connecting with young people. One millennial voice is Josh Lafasan, on today’s show he says the The post Gen Z, Millennials and The 2024 Presidential Election appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Gen Z, Millennials and The 2024 Presidential Election
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They weren’t there for Biden. A large chunk of young men are for Trump, but with a new presidential candidate, the Democratic Party is connecting with young people. One millennial voice is Josh Lafasan, on today’s show he says the The post Gen Z, Millennials and The 2024 Presidential Election appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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It may have the word “liberal” in it but it’s anything but. Until the Biden/Harris years, the corporate wing of the Democratic Party had its deserved image of serving the richest among us. Trump understood raw populist anger to win The post Waving Goodbye to Neoliberalism? appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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It may have the word “liberal” in it but it’s anything but. Until the Biden/Harris years, the corporate wing of the Democratic Party had its deserved image of serving the richest among us. Trump understood raw populist anger to win The post Waving Goodbye to Neoliberalism? appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Hawley And the Right: Terrified About Their Manhood
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Now with the nomination of not just a woman, but a woman of color, they feel even more threatened. Today’s right encourages and seeks to use men’s anger in the culture war, even though those very policies actually harm working The post Hawley And the Right: Terrified About Their Manhood appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Hawley And the Right: Terrified About Their Manhood
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Now with the nomination of not just a woman, but a woman of color, they feel even more threatened. Today’s right encourages and seeks to use men’s anger in the culture war, even though those very policies actually harm working The post Hawley And the Right: Terrified About Their Manhood appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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With Walz, Can Democrats Win Back Rural America?
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Since at least 2016, the Democratic policy has been driven by big contributors, yielding rural voters to Trump who at least pretended to hear them. With Minnesota Governor Tim Walz nominated as VP for Harris, middle America people who had The post With Walz, Can Democrats Win Back Rural America? appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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With Walz, Can Democrats Win Back Rural America?
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Since at least 2016, the Democratic policy has been driven by big contributors, yielding rural voters to Trump who at least pretended to hear them. With Minnesota Governor Tim Walz nominated as VP for Harris, middle America people who had The post With Walz, Can Democrats Win Back Rural America? appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Avi Chomsky: 21st Century Colonialism and Extractivism
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Colonialism: Now it’s called corporate globalization. As the energy appetite of the west continues to accelerate, so does extractivism, without the consent of the people directly affected. In this revealing discussion, Professor Avi Chomsky explodes the many myths we white The post Avi Chomsky: 21st Century Colonialism and Extractivism appeared fir…
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Avi Chomsky: 21st Century Colonialism and Extractivism
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Colonialism: Now it’s called corporate globalization. As the energy appetite of the west continues to accelerate, so does extractivism, without the consent of the people directly affected. In this revealing discussion, Professor Avi Chomsky explodes the many myths we white The post Avi Chomsky: 21st Century Colonialism and Extractivism appeared fir…
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Jails and Prisons Were a Hotbed of Covid. Needlessly.
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The ideal breeding ground for the Covid virus: A place where people were forced to have constant close contact with each other and with the wider community. In other words: prisons. You know how awful it was for us on The post Jails and Prisons Were a Hotbed of Covid. Needlessly. appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Jails and Prisons Were a Hotbed of Covid. Needlessly.
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The ideal breeding ground for the Covid virus: A place where people were forced to have constant close contact with each other and with the wider community. In other words: prisons. You know how awful it was for us on The post Jails and Prisons Were a Hotbed of Covid. Needlessly. appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Make the Winner of the Popular Vote President
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We were taught in elementary school that every vote counts in America. But as we all know the 2016 winner of the popular vote did not become president. The truth is the presidential candidates will spend a billion dollars this The post Make the Winner of the Popular Vote President appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Make the Winner of the Popular Vote President
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We were taught in elementary school that every vote counts in America. But as we all know the 2016 winner of the popular vote did not become president. The truth is the presidential candidates will spend a billion dollars this The post Make the Winner of the Popular Vote President appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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The Term “MAGA” Acknowledges US Empire is Over
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Make America great “again?” What does that phrase assume? Our guest today, retired Lt Col. William Astore served 20 years in the military. No, he’s not a stereotypical macho militarist, far from it. He says our “full spectrum global empire” The post The Term “MAGA” Acknowledges US Empire is Over appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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The Term “MAGA” Acknowledges US Empire is Over
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Make America great “again?” What does that phrase assume? Our guest today, retired Lt Col. William Astore served 20 years in the military. No, he’s not a stereotypical macho militarist, far from it. He says our “full spectrum global empire” The post The Term “MAGA” Acknowledges US Empire is Over appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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White Male Supremacists Fear and Hate it But “Romance” and Nuclear Families Aren’t the Only Option
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We assume our picture of romance and marriage has always been there, but according to our guest author and professor Sabrina Strings, it was invented in the 12th century as a myth about Sir Lancelot. Marriage was about power, domination, The post White Male Supremacists Fear and Hate it But “Romance” and Nuclear Families Aren’t the Only Option appe…
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White Male Supremacists Fear and Hate it But “Romance” and Nuclear Families Aren’t the Only Option
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We assume our picture of romance and marriage has always been there, but according to our guest author and professor Sabrina Strings, it was invented in the 12th century as a myth about Sir Lancelot. Marriage was about power, domination, The post White Male Supremacists Fear and Hate it But “Romance” and Nuclear Families Aren’t the Only Option appe…
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Dems Need the Middle Class: Why is the DNC Still So Corporatized?
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There is a palpable movement under Kamala Harris; so why is party leadership still so out of touch with working people as they were in 2016? Our returning guest, veteran party insider Norman Solomon, says the DNC is still top-down The post Dems Need the Middle Class: Why is the DNC Still So Corporatized? appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Dems Need the Middle Class: Why is the DNC Still So Corporatized?
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There is a palpable movement under Kamala Harris; so why is party leadership still so out of touch with working people as they were in 2016? Our returning guest, veteran party insider Norman Solomon, says the DNC is still top-down The post Dems Need the Middle Class: Why is the DNC Still So Corporatized? appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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What’s Behind Trumpism: The Open Attack on Democracy
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As Trump heads into the 2024 campaign, you might wonder who is behind it, who benefits from destroying our republic. Here is the story. The religious nationalists see him as a fierce leader. They believe God sends such kings to The post What’s Behind Trumpism: The Open Attack on Democracy appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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What’s Behind Trumpism: The Open Attack on Democracy
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As Trump heads into the 2024 campaign, you might wonder who is behind it, who benefits from destroying our republic. Here is the story. The religious nationalists see him as a fierce leader. They believe God sends such kings to The post What’s Behind Trumpism: The Open Attack on Democracy appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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It’s not high on people’s reason to choose a president, but the power of pardons today is often corrupt and the promise of a pardon has been known to encourage crimes. In this discussion of her forthcoming book, Law Professor The post The Power of Pardons and Democracy appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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It’s not high on people’s reason to choose a president, but the power of pardons today is often corrupt and the promise of a pardon has been known to encourage crimes. In this discussion of her forthcoming book, Law Professor The post The Power of Pardons and Democracy appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Unions have achieved some historic victories recently. But though many workers are curious, there’s still reluctance to joining a union. As co-author of a new report called “Union Curious,” UC San Diego’s political economy professor John Ahlquist explains on this The post Union Curious in the Mid-2020s appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Unions have achieved some historic victories recently. But though many workers are curious, there’s still reluctance to joining a union. As co-author of a new report called “Union Curious,” UC San Diego’s political economy professor John Ahlquist explains on this The post Union Curious in the Mid-2020s appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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After The Shooting of July 13, Is it Over?
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Today, more than ever, politics is theater. On today’s big stage we see Biden as an old weakened man, and then we have Trump with blood on his face, standing strong, defiant, fist in the air. On today’s show national The post After The Shooting of July 13, Is it Over? appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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After The Shooting of July 13, Is it Over?
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Today, more than ever, politics is theater. On today’s big stage we see Biden as an old weakened man, and then we have Trump with blood on his face, standing strong, defiant, fist in the air. On today’s show national The post After The Shooting of July 13, Is it Over? appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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In 21st Century Western Culture, there’s a variety of impressions average white people get when you say the word Muslim. Most of them wrong. On this edition of Keeping Democracy Alive, Toronto author Saqib Qureshi brings some needed clarity to The post The Challenges of Being Muslim Today appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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In 21st Century Western Culture, there’s a variety of impressions average white people get when you say the word Muslim. Most of them wrong. On this edition of Keeping Democracy Alive, Toronto author Saqib Qureshi brings some needed clarity to The post The Challenges of Being Muslim Today appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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How Liberation is Only Found In Community
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Today’s guest is Dr. Rachelle Winkle-Wagner, author of the new book The Chosen We. She’s a professor of Educational Leadership and Policy a U.Wisconsin-Madison. Over a period of ten years she interviewed 105 Black women from five selected cities about The post How Liberation is Only Found In Community appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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