THE CIRCLE OF CONSCIOUSNESS:
“Developing Today’s Grassroots Leaders and Thinkers”
Miami Workers’ Center Political Education Syllabus for 2002
January 10: Mumia Abu Jamal—Part 1
Mumia’s life story and political history.
January 17: Mumia Abu Jamal—Part 2
A review of the facts of his case, the importance of world-wide solidarity and writing letters of support to Mumia in jail.
January 24: Police Brutality
The history of police brutality in the US and Miami, and the role of police in poor communities and communities of color.
January 31: History of Haiti--Part 1
An analysis of the Haitian people’s struggle to become the First Black Republic and the history of US intervention.
February 7: History of Haiti—Part 2 (video presentation: Haiti—Killing The Dream)
A look at the root causes of immigration.
February 14: Malcolm X
Role in the civil rights movement, importance of organization in the movement and role of government repression.
February 21: The Amistad
The slave trade and the story of the Amistad.
February 28: Ethiopian Holocaust
presenter: Imani Kali-Nyah (editor/author of Italy’s war Crimes in Ethiopia)
Italy’s Attack on Ethiopia and why this history has not been told.
March 14: Farmworkers, exploitation and the world economy
The superexploitation of farmworkers in the current economy: a case study of the Immokalee Farmworkers in South
Florida and their struggle against Taco Bell.
March 21: Attack on Immigrants (video presentation: Abandoned—the Betrayal of American Immigrants)
The repressive new laws of 1996, their effects, the forces behind them, and connections to attacks on the poor and people
of color in general.
March 28: The Patriot Act
Repressive new measures, and how the right is using 9/11 to attack civil liberties and advance their agenda.
April 4: Palestine
The history of Palestine and the creation of an Israeli state, and the current struggle of the Palestinian people for civil
rights and land rights
April 18: History of Miami—Part 1 ( -- 1896)
History of Native Americans and slavery in South Florida, and the early migration of Blacks to south Florida.
April 25: History of Miami – Part 2 (1896-1960)
Racism, segregation and exploitation the first half a century of Miami’s existence.
May 2: May Day
The history of May Day as the international holiday for workers, the historic events that brought about its birth and the
role and history of the holiday in this country.
May 9: History of Black Miami—Part 3 (1960-1980)
Resistance to racism and oppression including the civil rights movement and urban rebellion.
Miami Workers Center
Political Education Syllabus 2002
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May 30: Mumia Abu Jamal: Where the Struggle to Free Mumia is today?
A review of his life history and case; update on current status of case and world-wide solidarity.
June 6: The History of Dominica
presenter: Felton Merrifield, LIFFT member
The land, culture and people: The history of Spanish, British and French colonization of the island and the people’s
resistance and struggle for independence.
June 13: History of Black Miami—Part 4
presenter: Marvin Dunn (professor of sociology at Florida International University, author of Black Miami)
Forms of resistance to racism and exploitation in Miami: grassroots organizing, militancy and urban rebellion.
June 27: History of Black Miami—Part 5: The struggle continues
A review of the previous 4 sessions on Black Miami and how our struggle today connects with this history.
July 11: Home Ownership—The American Dream or The Impossible Dream?
Role of ownership in the system, barriers to home ownership, and why powers-that-be are pushing it.
July 18: Enron: A case study of Corporate America
A description and analysis of the Enron scandal.
July 25: Cuba—Part 1 (1500-1959)
presenter: Yvonne Hayes, local activist
The land and people, and Cuba’s struggle for independence from Spain and the United States.
Aug 1: Cuba—Part2 (1959-1990)
presenter: John Gaige, local activist
The Cuban revolution, and the program and policies implemented by the new government and their results.
Aug 8: Cuba—Part 3
presenter: Mel Reeves, journalist and local activist
Cuba’s internationalist foreign policy, particularly its role in African liberation struggles.
Aug 15: Cuba—Part 4 (1959-today)
presenter: Yvonne Hayes, local activist
US policy and intervention in Cuba, and Cuban resistance.
Aug 22: Cuba—Part 5
presenter: John Gaige, local activist
Waves of Cuban Immigration, characteristics of different groups, Cuban emigration policy vs. US immigration policy.
Aug 29: Cuba—Part 6
Review of previous 5 sessions through group discussion and breakdown.
Sept 12: Anniversary of Sept 10 Shutdown of US HUD
A reflection on LIFFT’s direct action against US HUD in light of the repressive backlash from 9/11.
Sept 19: Iraq War – Part 1
History of the first Gulf War – its causes and effects, and the US role in the Middle East.
Sept 26: Iraq War — Part2
An analysis of the impending war – forces and interests pushing for it, and Resistance to War—how strong,
where, who.
Oct 3: Iraq War--Part 3
Forum on the War in Iraq by MCAW (Miami Coalition Against the War)
A look at the causes of the impending war and the attack on civil liberties in the US since 9/11.
Miami Workers Center
Political Education Syllabus 2002
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Oct 10: Homophobia: Understanding sexual orientation
presenters: Rev. Tommy Watkins, minister, Aids outreach worker and activist, and Dennis Golbourne, activist
Sharing of life stories and struggles against Homophobia, followed by discussion.
Oct 17: Homophobia: Sexual orientation and religion
An analysis and discussion of the role of the church in fostering and perpetuating homophobia.
Oct 24: Columbia: The Displacement of Afro-Columbians
Presenter: Marino Cordoba, exiled leader of AFRODES (Organization of Displaced Afro-Columbians)
Brief overview and history of Columbia, and a description and analysis of the killing and displacement of AfricanColumbian people from their land.
Oct 31: Sweatshops in the US: A Case Study of the LA Garment Workers Boycott Against Forever 21
Presenters: Guadalupe, Alejandra Hernandez, Joann Lo (Garment Workers Center, LA)
Understanding sweatshops, the superexploitaion of immigrants and connections to Black struggles in Miami.
Nov 7: Africa Series--Part 1
An overview of the continent and its rich diversity: Distinguishing between stereotypes and reality.
Nov 14: Africa Series--Part 2
Presenter: Max Rameau, local activist
The Slave Trade and Resistance.
Nov 21: Africa Series--Part 3
Presenter: Bill Fletcher, founding member Black Radical Congress, President of TransAfrica
America’s New War, Globalization and Africa.
Dec 5: Africa Series—Part 4
History of the great civilizations of Africa.
Dec 12: Africa Series—Part 5
History of the colonization of Africa.
Dec 19: Africa Series—Part 6
African Liberation Struggles.
Miami Workers Center
Political Education Syllabus 2002
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