“I Didn’t Sit Eight and a Half Years in Jail to Build Capitalism”
Karol Modzelewski emerged in the 1960s as a leading dissident against Poland’s state socialist dictatorship — but he remained a socialist until the very end.
19673 Articles by: Opal Lee
Opal Lee is a writer.
War With Iran Would Be a Murderous Disaster
The case against Iran in 2019 looks a lot like the case against Iraq in 2002. Going to war would be a bloody, murderous disaster.
The Long Arab Spring
The recent uprisings in Sudan and Algeria show that the conditions that gave rise to the Arab Spring are not going away. But movements against authoritarianism and exploitation still face existential threats.
Sowing the Seeds of Bolsonaro
Far-right president Jair Bolsonaro was lifted to power by the mass mobilization of the Brazilian middle classes. But it wouldn’t have been possible without years of failed austerity policies.
Iran Is Being Threatened by John Bolton and His Rogue State
As Trump careens toward a war with Iran, he’s managed to prove one thing: any country that’s the target of US hostility would be crazy not to acquire nuclear weapons.
Socialism: The Movie
Socialism is often portrayed as a foreign ideology that Americans have never embraced. But the forthcoming documentary Socialism: An American Story shows how deeply rooted the socialist tradition is in the US.
Humanity Is Drowning in Plastic
Coca-Cola makes 100 billion plastic bottles a year, and recycling isn’t stopping the build-up of waste. We need government action to rein in the plastics industry.
Sara Nelson: “People Are Ready to Fight”
Sara Nelson in her own words on building a fighting labor movement, the proud history of democratic socialism in America, how workers ended the shutdown, and how they’ll stop Trump, too.
A Defeat for Frackers
Hunger strikers in New York chalked up a win this week when Governor Andrew Cuomo rejected a gas pipeline off the coast of Long Island.
Don’t Settle for Opportunity
‘Equality of opportunity’ is meaningless. Lacking opportunity isn’t our problem — we just need equality.
“Get Off My Lawn” Goes Digital
Home surveillance apps like Ring and community social networks like Nextdoor aren’t making anyone safer. They’re allowing paranoid jerks to harass their neighbors.
“Globalization Is the Opposite of Internationalism”
The fight against the neoliberal TTIP and CETA trade deals has revitalized Bulgaria’s social movements. Now activists are promising to take the spirit of these campaigns into the European Parliament itself.
Chicago Teacher Militancy Is Up for Reelection
The Chicago Teachers Union is choosing its leadership this week. A reelection of the Caucus of Rank-and-File Educators would mean a commitment to more of the militant teacher unionism that has reshaped Chicago and inspired educators around the country.
Elizabeth Warren Should Have Gone on Fox News
Fox News’s politics won’t be defeated by a few principled liberal politicians engaging in a media blackout.
“Shout Your Abortion!”
The Alabama abortion ban and the spate of draconian “heartbeat” laws are vicious attacks on reproductive rights. We have to fight back with an unequivocal demand: free abortion on demand.
Euro-Washing the Nakba
Today, Palestinians are observing Nakba Day, which mourns their mass expulsion in 1948. Israel is celebrating with a music festival.
When Workers Take Over
An unusual British retailer is handing over ownership of the company to its workers. It’s a reminder that worker control can work — but don’t expect many other firms to follow suit.
“America Makes a Lot of Money off the Sick”
The for-profit health care system in the US has created a crisis for patients and medical workers. That’s why 2,000 health care workers are on strike in Ohio this week.
With Child and Out of a Job
Pregnancy discrimination is rampant and devastating for its victims. But in a tight labor market, it may be a problem for capital, too.
A Plan B for Our Planet
Neoliberal president Macron’s fuel tax hike has sparked six months of protests. But for France Insoumise’s Danièle Obono, the gilets jaunes and climate marchers aren’t on opposing sides: they both want the rich to pay for climate chaos.