Of Friends and Whirlwinds:
Inquiry and Radical Organizing for Movement Capable of Building New Social Relations

With Jenna Peters-Golden (Philly Stands Up), Timothy Colman (Philly's Pissed) and Craig Hughes (Team Colors Collective)

Wednesday July 2nd 7:00PM
@
Wooden Shoe Books
508 s. 5th street
Philadelphia, PA 19147
sabot@woodenshoebooks.com
www.woodenshoebooks.com

'Of Friends and Whirlwinds: Inquiry and Radical Organizing for Movement Capable of Building New Social Relations' brings together three different organizers under the theme of radical organizing, and for the purpose of movement building. By explaining the purposes, process and function of particular organizing efforts in context of building sustained radicalmovement, we hope to deepen thinking of political organizing through an emphasis on a practice that takes everyday power relations -- as well as larger institutions of oppression and exploitation -- as central targets.

On May 25, 2008 Team Colors Collective and Journal of Aesthetics and Protest Press released a one-off online journal entitled 'In the Middle of a Whirlwind: 2008 Convention Protests, Movement and Movements' ("Whirlwinds"). Whirlwinds was heavily inspired by experiences with radical organizing over the past decade within the "counter-globalization" movements in the U.S. and, on theoretical levels, "inquiries" into "class composition" that are most well known as central parts of the "autonomist Marxist" tradition. The presentation on Whirlwinds will address recent movement in the U.S., and the meaning of inquiry and analysis of class composition for movement building, as well as some of the more salient themes of the Whirlwinds project and the lessons it might teach us.

Philly's Pissed and Philly Stands Up are groups working against sexual assault in radical communities in Philadelphia. Philly's Pissed provides support to survivors of sexual assault; Philly Stands Up works primarily with people who have sexually assaulted, trying to help them take accountability for their actions and change their behavior. Timothy (Philly's Pissed) and Jenna (Philly Stands Up) will discuss the work done by Philly's Pissed and Philly Stands Up, addressing the challenges of organizing around sexual assault as well as its significance for movement-building.

Relevant Websites:

In the Middle of a Whirlwind: www.inthemiddleofawhirlwind.info
Philly's Pissed: www.phillyspissed.net
Philly Stands Up: www.phillyspissed.net/phillystandsup
Team Colors Collective: www.warmachines.info
Wooden Shoe Books: www.woodenshoebooks.com