Groundings

Groundings Podcast
  • 4.9 (232)
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  • Updated Bimonthly

Groundings is a place where organizing, theory, and history come in contact with dialogue, experience, and storytelling. It's where the past meets the present, and political education happens. The title "Groundings" is in honor of the revolutionary educator Walter Rodney, whose concept of "groundings" as a form of radical, political, and communal education inspires the conversations on this podcast. Groundings: we sit, we listen, we talk, we share, and we learn.

  1. Sep 2

    The Worldwide Family of Militant Women

    [RECORDED MARCH 27, 2026] Arlene Eisen joins us to talk about her book In the Worldwide Family of Militant Women (Iskra Books), which she describes as a social history of the 1960s through the early 1980s, tracing her political journey through movements shaped by Black liberation and Vietnam. We discuss her time with revolutionaries in places like Peru, Cuba, and Vietnam; radical trade union organizing among Indigenous peasants, and an encouraging encounter with Malcolm X at a Harlem rent-strike meeting. She discusses helping found an SDS chapter at Cornell, her work with The Movement newspaper as a Bay Area link between Black liberation struggles and the white New Left, and reporting on revolutionary figures from Cuba like Haydée Santamaría. Arelene argues for a global anti-imperialist women's movement, and emphasizes clarity on imperialism, internationalism, humility, and lifelong struggle. Purchase a copy of her book or download the free PDF Find 'The Movement' newspaper at Freedom Archives Intro song: Move On Over by Len Chandler (1965) Outro song: Attica Blues by Archie Shepp (1972)   05:13 Arlene Introduces the Book 08:46 Peru Fieldwork and Radicalization 12:45 Repression and Malcolm X 18:35 Women Madness and Revolution 21:46 California and SDS Lessons 29:11 The Movement Newspaper 33:09 Cuba Then and Now 47:15 Vietnam Militant Women 52:57 Anti Imperialist Feminism, Repro Justice 57:35 Project 2025, Forced Breeding 01:02:19 Atlanta Child Murders 01:07:44 Single Issue Organizing, Movement Lessons

    The Worldwide Family of Militant Women

  2. Sep 2

    The Imperialist Health System: An Insider Perspective (Part 1)

    [RECORDED NOVEMBER 2025]  Dr. Paris & Dr. Clare join Groundings to discuss: How the capitalist medical school model works, and why it's a racist scam How medical racism harms Black people in many different ways Why 'mandatory reporting' is just another way to police and separate Black families The dangers of abortion bans and criminalization and how doctors can navigate it Part 1 focuses on healthcare domestically, while Part 2 will focus on healthcare internationally.  Audio heard: Full speech: Fidel Castro 'Medicos no Bombas' in Buenos Aires (2003) Cam James: The Fight for Reproductive Rights About: Candi Miller Amber Thurman  Adriana Smith

    The Imperialist Health System: An Insider Perspective (Part 1)

  3. Jun 8

    The Radical Practice of Harm Reduction

    Zellie Imani joins the Groundings Podcast and defines “harm reduction” - and how it shows up in the community organizing work of his organization, Black Lives Matter Paterson, in New Jersey. He dispels the mainstream misunderstanding of harm reduction as a voting practice, some of the major stigma they fight to keep people alive, and re-commits to the origins of harm reduction: a community practice in situations that manifest from contradictions of capitalism. Zellie provides listeners with lessons and experiences that can be learned from, and discusses the Paterson mutual aid and harm reduction model for how to practice community-rooted organizing to provide material support.  Learn more about and support BLM Paterson and their mutual aid work [Learn Here] Support the Groundings Podcast on Patreon [Support Here]

    The Radical Practice of Harm Reduction

  4. May 25

    The Long Attica Revolt

    Dr. Orisanmi Burton discusses his book “Tip of the Spear”, defining counter-insurgency and describing the prisoner struggle in what he calls the “Long Attica Revolt.” The conversation highlights how prison reform has been used as a tactic to defang the radical demands of those captured at the same time pacifying non-politicized prisoners and the ways that political prisoners maneuver through co-optation. Tip of the Spear is a counter-narrative to the popular histories of the Attica Revolt, situating it in the Black Liberation struggle taking place inside and outside prison walls, before, during, and beyond Attica.  Purchase: Tip of the Spear [Purchase Here] Support the Groundings Podcast on Patreon [Support Here] Audio - Intro Audio: Elliot "L.D." Barkley delivers Attica demands: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJ0gWUNTru8 Intro Audio: Muhammed Ali recites Attica Poem: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSXKmvHxNCY  14:00 - Attica Demands 15:45 - “We have to be looking at praxis for demands…” C. 24:30 - “Kidnappings, Hijacking, WR, PLO, etc” https://roape.net/2023/11/10/walter-rodney-and-palestinian-liberation/ “When we exchange our currency for money from the developed countries the rate of exchange is always unfavourable because they set the terms. But when comrades in Latin America exchange kidnapped diplomats for prisoners the rate of exchange is good.” 29:00 - “The prison is a locus of fascism” / “disproportionality” 37:00 - Counter-insurgency definition - secure their loyalty C. 45 - Counter-insurgency is not scientific https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIzaEgAbsg0&ab_channel=MillennialsAreKillingCapitalismLive%21 01:01:00 - Conspiracy

    The Long Attica Revolt

  5. Feb 24

    The Class Warfare In Black Atlanta Primer

    Dr. Augustus Wood discusses his book "Class Warfare in Black Atlanta," defining class warfare and the “Black worker,” arguing gentrification is tied to labor, policing, surveillance, and repression, and criticizing the idea that gentrification equals development. The conversation highlights the role of Black women in grassroots struggles, the impact of the Olympics and metro-area displacement, and Wood’s use of radical newspapers and archives to tell the story from working-class perspectives. - Purchase: Class Warfare In Black Atlanta [Purchase Here] Support the Groundings Podcast on Patreon [Support Here]

    The Class Warfare In Black Atlanta Primer

  6. Jan 28 ·  Bonus

    Michael Parenti, Media Manipulation & Imperialist Propaganda (January 12, 2026)

    January 12, 2026 - In this broadcast, hosts Leyla, Musa, and taylor discussed the ways capitalist media is weaponized as propaganda in support of imperial interests. Using Michael Parenti's framework from Inventing Reality as a key framework, the hosts analyzed current events to discern how media tactics are being deployed in coverage of US aggression across the Global South.  We cover 5 mechanisms colonial media uses to promote imperialist propaganda: (1) Stenographer for the State, (2) Selective Reporting, (3) Active vs Passive Language, (4) Dehumanizing Reporting, and (5) Information Control. You can find the helpful "Don't Be A Copagandist!" resource at: https://www.interruptingcriminalization.com/projects-all/dont-be-a-copagandist-series - Revolutionary African Perspectives (RAP) is a public affairs program on WRFG 89.3 Atlanta. Broadcasting politics, community, and revolutionary analysis every Monday 7-8 PM ET.  The show features guests ranging from cultural workers, political organizers, authors, and community members covering local, national, and international news. The hosts provide fresh and critical perspectives on the politics affecting the everyday lives of Black/African people.  RAP was originally founded by former WRFG airshifter, longtime activist and cultural worker Sobukwe Shukura, in 2002.  Listen live or check out old RAP episodes at: WRFG.ORG/RAP

    Michael Parenti, Media Manipulation & Imperialist Propaganda (January 12, 2026)

  7. 10/27/2025 ·  Bonus

    The Memoirs of Robert & Mabel Williams w/ Dr. Akinyele Umoja

    In this broadcast, co-hosts taylor, Leyla, and Dartricia discuss the ongoing Atlanta city council elections and the theft of the Crown Jewels from the Louvre Museum in France. They are joined by guest Dr. Akinyele Umoja to talk about the book he co-edited, The Memoirs of Robert and Mabel Williams: African American Freedom, Armed Resistance, and International Solidarity.  They cover topics such as the Williams’ political and personal lives, and their exile in Cuba and China. The collaboration it took to bring this book the fruition and propaganda as a tool for liberation. They also talk about armed self-defense and the people involved in that movement during the Civil Rights Movement.  To view a list of past programs, visit: https://wrfg.org/show/rap/

    The Memoirs of Robert & Mabel Williams w/ Dr. Akinyele Umoja

  8. 10/27/2025 ·  Bonus

    The New Jewel Movement and Grenada's Revolution

    In this broadcast, co-hosts Dartricia and Musa give a history of the New Jewel Movement and the Grenada Revolution and the U.S. Invasion and overthrow in 1983 under the Reagan Administration. The discussion includes wins of revolution including a powerful literacy campaign, better healthcare, and the construction of an airport.  They also make connections to the U.S. Monroe Doctrine and U.S. imperialism across the Caribbean and Latin America including Nicaragua, Guatamala, and Haiti. The show includes an inciting speech give by former Prime Minister Maurice Bishop.  To view a list of past programs, visit: https://wrfg.org/show/rap/

    The New Jewel Movement and Grenada's Revolution
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About

Groundings is a place where organizing, theory, and history come in contact with dialogue, experience, and storytelling. It's where the past meets the present, and political education happens. The title "Groundings" is in honor of the revolutionary educator Walter Rodney, whose concept of "groundings" as a form of radical, political, and communal education inspires the conversations on this podcast. Groundings: we sit, we listen, we talk, we share, and we learn.

Information

  • Creator
    Groundings Podcast
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    73
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2017 - 2024 D. Musa Springer
  • Show Website
    Groundings

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