political aspects

"Looting--a crowd of people publicly, openly, and directly seizing goods--is one of the more extreme actions that can take place in the midst of social unrest. . . Osterweil argues that while looting is often maligned in today's society, it is, and has always been, one of our most powerful tools of dismantling capitalism and white supremacy. . . --a direct means of wealth redistribution and a practical, immediate way of improving life for the working class--not to mention a brazen message to the police, the state, and an unjust society. All our beliefs about the innate righteousness of property and ownership, Osterweil explains, are built on the history of anti-Black and settler oppression--meaning that belief in the right to own property is innately, structurally white supremacist. . . [This book] is a history of violent protest sparking social change a compelling reframing of radical activism and a practical vision for the redistribution of wealth, a new relationship to property, and a radically restructured society"--Provided by publisher.

"More than two million men and women are currently behind bars in the United States. Incarceration not only separates the imprisoned from their families and communities, it also exposes them to shocking levels of violence and sexual assault and subjects them to the arbitrary cruelties of the criminal justice system. Yet, as Nicole Fleetwood reveals, America's prisons are filled with art. Despite the isolation and degradation they experience, the incarcerated are driven to assert their humanity in the face of a system that dehumanizes them. Based on interviews with currently and formerly incarcerated artists, prison visits, and the author's own family experiences with the penal system, Marking Time shows how the imprisoned turn ordinary objects into elaborate works of art. Working with meager supplies and in the harshest conditions-including solitary confinement-these artists find ways to resist the brutality and depravity that prisons engender. The impact of their art, Fleetwood observes, can be felt far beyond prison walls. Their bold works, many of which are being published for the first time in this volume, have opened new possibilities in American art. As the movement to reform the country's criminal justice system grows, art provides the imprisoned with a political voice. Their works testify to the economic and racial injustices that underpin American punishment and offer a new vision of freedom for the twenty-first century"--Provided by publisher.

"Some democracies are highly homogeneous. Others have long maintained a brutal racial or religious hierarchy, with some groups dominating and exploiting others. Never in history has a democracy succeeded in being both diverse and equal, treating members of many different ethnic or religious groups fairly. And yet achieving that goal is now central to the democratic project in countries around the world. It is, Yascha Mounk argues, the greatest experiment of our time. Drawing on history, social psychology, and comparative politics, Mounk examines how diverse societies have long suffered from the ills of domination, fragmentation, or structured anarchy. So it is hardly surprising that most people are now deeply pessimistic that different groups might be able to integrate in harmony, celebrating their differences without essentializing them. But Mounk shows us that the past can offer crucial insights for how to do better in the future. There is real reason for hope. It is up to us and the institutions we build whether different groups will come to see each other as enemies or friends, as strangers or compatriots. To make diverse democracies endure, and even thrive, we need to create a world in which our ascriptive identities come to matter less-not because we ignore the injustices that still characterize the United States and so many other countries around the world, but because we have succeeded in addressing them. The Great Experiment is that rare book that offers both a profound understanding of an urgent problem and genuine hope for our human capacity to solve it. As Mounk contends, giving up on the prospects of building fair and thriving diverse democracies is simply not an option-and that is why we must strive to realize a more ambitious vision for the future of our societies"--.

"An illustrated guide to how we can all make a difference in our local and global communities. Are you an aspiring activist or a curious community member? Then this is the . . . guide for you! Young people around the world are more aware than ever before of social, cultural, and environmental issues. They want their voices to be heard. They are keen to step up and make a difference. Packed with . . . curated . . . content, this . . . illustrated guide helps young people explore the global issues that matter most to them and shows them practical ways to actively participate in their local community and the wider world. The book helps them discover how to be respectful online, understand why we pay taxes, and even campaign to clean a local beach! From . . . topics such as fake news, racism, ableism, and the climate crisis, to . . . stories of young leaders sparking change, this book explains how to make a difference at every level--at home, in the local community, and globally"--Provided by publisher.

"Anthology of curated viewpoints examining the politicized response to the virus in the United States, the rush in the scientific community to understand, treat, and vaccinate, and how science and politics can work together in the future"--Provided by publisher.

"Describes the life and career of National Football League quarterback Colin Kaepernick, including his time with the San Francisco 49ers and his activism protesting police brutality"--Provided by publisher.

Discusses how the punk rock music of Joe Strummer and his band, The Clash, has affected the music industry and society.

"The true story of the birth of basketball, from its invention by James Naismith in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1891, to the sport's Olympic debut in Berlin and the eclectic mix of people, events and propaganda on both sides of the Atlantic that made it all possible. Includes photos throughout, a Who's-Who of the 1936 Olympics, bibliography, and index"--Provided by publisher.

Honoring the medical professionals around the country who've risked their lives to fight the virus, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author provides essential information--and fascinating historical parallels--examining the medical, economic, political, and social ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic.

". . . Valarie Kaur is a renowned Sikh activist and in this book, she argues that Revolutionary Love is the call of our times. When we practice love in the face of fear or rage, it has the ability to transform an encounter, a relationship, a community, a culture, even a country. Drawing from her personal experiences, Sikh wisdom, and the work of civil rights leaders of all kinds, Kaur has reenvisioned love as a public ethic: a commitment to loving others, opponents, and ourselves. She argues that this type of love is not a passing feeling; it is an act of will. It is an active, political, and moral response to violence, hate, and otherness. It is the choice to extend our will for the flourishing of others and ourselves. Grounded in Kaur's dramatic personal journey of practicing love in the face of political oppression, sexual assault, wrongful arrest, detention, racism, and murder, this important and timely book shows us a way to build movements that do not leave anyone behind. In an era defined by rage, Revolutionary Love is perhaps our greatest form of civil disobedience"--Provided by publisher.