October 2015 - Page 3 of 5

When Republic Windows and Doors closed down without giving workers notice, the issue drew national attention. Since then, they’ve turned the factory into a worker-owned co-op—where they hold the power.

Back in the day, factory workers at the Chicago-based Republic Windows and Doors were simply told what to do. That wasn’t unusual. Workers might have seen ways to improve the production process, but at Republic their supervisor wasn’t interested, said former employee Armando Robles. read more

Black Farmers’ Lives Matter: Defending African-American Land and Agriculture in the Deep South

Beverly Bell October 11, 2015 Beverly Bell

The 2015 US Food Sovereignty Prize goes to two organizations that are demonstrating just how much Black lives matter, as they defend their ancestral lands for community-controlled food production. The Federation of Southern Cooperatives, primarily African-American farmers across the deep South, shares the prize with the Black Fraternal Organization of Honduras, Afro-indigenous farmers and fisher-people.

South Africa’s Shack Dwellers Movement Celebrates a Decade of Struggle

Abahlali baseMjondolo October 11, 2015 Abahlali baseMjondolo

South Africa’s shack dwellers movement was founded ten years ago by citizens frustrated by the ruling ANC’s failure to deliver the promises of democracy in the “new” nation. It has been a worthwhile struggle against a neo-liberal state that pays scant attention to needs of the majority poor Black people.

Listen to Syrians: The Media Jackals and the People’s Narrative

Ramzy Baroud October 11, 2015 Ramzy Baroud

Imagine the Syrian war from the point of view of ordinary Syrians from a variety of backgrounds. They are most likely to offer a different perspective and to hold entirely different expectations than most other parties involved.

The “People’s Pope” and the Church’s Emerging Contradictions

Armando Carmona October 11, 2015 Armando Carmona

Source: Truthout

Pope Francis has radically changed the image of the Catholic Church. He has been called a progressive, the “people’s pope” and even a radical pope who is attempting to shift the global image of Catholic conservatism. It is impossible to deny the importance of the pope’s current discourse as he pushes global political leaders to address climate change and economic inequality, inviting them to refocus their energy toward a “revolution of tenderness.” read more

Remembering Grace Lee Boggs and the Revolution She Inspired in Me

Sarah van Gelder October 11, 2015 Sarah van Gelder

Source: Yes! Magazine

This week, I returned to Detroit as I do every few years. On Thursday, I visited the James and Grace Lee Boggs School and heard of the influence Grace had in founding a school that is deeply rooted in community. On Friday, I visited the Boggs Center and talked to board members about their perceptions of displacement, water shutoffs, and community power in Detroit.

And I had a chance to sit with Grace, hold her hand, and bring our greetings from YES!

“I’m tired,” she told me. read more

Month: October 2015

Three Years Ago, These Chicago Workers Took Over a Window Factory. Today, They’re Thriving

Black Farmers’ Lives Matter: Defending African-American Land and Agriculture in the Deep South

South Africa’s Shack Dwellers Movement Celebrates a Decade of Struggle

Listen to Syrians: The Media Jackals and the People’s Narrative

The “People’s Pope” and the Church’s Emerging Contradictions

Remembering Grace Lee Boggs and the Revolution She Inspired in Me