New issue of News & Letters is now available on the web:
News & Letters, Vol. 56, No. 2
March – April 2011
Lead
Revolutions in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya shake world order
The revolutionary movement that began in Tunisia in December, when 26-year-old street vendor Mohammed Bouazizi burned himself to death in protest at the confiscation of his unlicensed vegetable cart, has shaken the world. The overthrow of dictators Ben Ali of Tunisia and Mubarak of Egypt has inspired new hopes from Beijing to Wisconsin.
Black/Red View
John Alan/Allen Willis
Allen Willis/John Alan–who would have been 95 on June 10 this year–died quietly on Feb. 23 in Oakland, California. The near-century of his life was filled with thoughts and experiences of Black life in America.
Editorial
Corporate assaults on workers and women
As the national assault against the working class in the U.S. increases, most openly evidenced by the orchestrated attacks aimed at destroying public employees’ unions, workers and their unions are challenging these vicious attacks.
From the Writings of Raya Dunayevskaya
International Women’s Day and Iran
The first International Women’s Day was observed 100 years ago in March 1911. This year also marks the 32nd anniversary of the historic demonstration in Tehran, Iran, on International Women’s Day, March 8, 1979. On that day, women and supporters braved Islamic Guards and thugs allied with the new government headed by Ayatollah Khomeini. The marchers demanded that the revolution, forged by the masses, continue and include freedom for women. As a philosophic contribution to furthering the revolution, Iranian Marxist-Humanists translated and published several writings by Raya Dunayevskaya. Two of her writings from that time are excerpted here.
Woman as Reason: Essay
Women’s freedom and Marx’s dialectic
The contemporary nature of Marxist-Humanism is evident when one views the theory and practice of women’s liberation. This essay takes up the real ramifications of different interpretations of the dialectic for women’s movements and revolution.
In-person report:
Wisconsin at front line of class war
Day after day, tens of thousands of people—and over 100,000 on Feb. 26—have taken to the streets around the Wisconsin State Capitol building. They filled the Capitol rotunda with protest signs and rallies for over a week.
Vicious attacks on women’s healthcare
The Republican Party has led the largest legislative attack on women’s reproductive rights and health in recent history.