On March 3, the Peace and Conflict Studies program at West Chester University of Pennsylvania hosted a symposium with Eugene Puryear titled, “The Movement for Black Lives: How Do We Fight to Win?” Nearly 100 students and faculty attended. Puryear delivered a powerful presentation that focused on the long and complex global history of capitalism and white supremacy that led to the heroic uprisings against police brutality and crushing poverty in Ferguson, Baltimore and beyond.
Many of the students in attendance had just read Puryear’s book “Shackled and Chained: Mass Incarceration in Capitalist America” and were clearly eager to engage the author.
Puryear’s talk highlighted a new generation of activists and leaders who have energized the struggle for Black liberation. Exploring the debates over strategy, tactics and goals, Eugene focused on the combined need for the self-determination of oppressed communities and a movement with the capacity to connect many seemingly separate issues. Providing convincing analysis and evidence, Puryear pointed to socialism, echoing Lenin, as the answer to the question, “What is to be done?” Reflecting the current surge in the popularity of the idea, Eugene’s socialist conclusions met enthusiastic applause.
In a long discussion after the event, a number of progressive students expressed interest in how the alliances Puryear discussed can be formed and deepened. For example, Mike Peterman, a student veteran at the event, expressed interest in Black-Palestinian solidarity and in the activism of March Forward. Reflecting on the significance of the event, Peterman told Liberation News:
“This event was important because the topic of mass incarceration touches the idea of white supremacy from an angle that is hard to deny. The statistics associated with mass incarceration show just how disproportionate the number of Black men behind bars in America really is. Such glaring inequality put out in front of white students makes it difficult for them to remain oblivious to the realities of white privilege.”
Peterman added: “Another important aspect is the link between incarceration and corporate profit. Making money off of putting people behind bars does not live up to the espoused American standard, and we should all be outraged!”
