As is now the norm for our free episodes, this episode was available only to $5/month subscribers for the first 24 hours, and is now unlocked to the general public. Show notes to this episode, if we decide to do any, will eventually be available to Patreon subscribers at patreon.com/champagnesharks.

This is part 1 of a 2-part episode hosted by Ken, Mario, T., and special guest co-host Andray Domise. Part 2 is available to $5/month Patreon subscribers here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/cs-231-black-jr-32464337

The guest is Bill Fletcher, Jr., a Black Socialist who is an ex-Black Panther and a current labor activist. We discuss what socialism means to him and what it has to offer Black people today. We also ask him some listener questions, including one about his feelings on the ADOS movement and their push for reparations.

Bill Fletcher Jr has been an activist since his teen years. Upon graduating from college he went to work as a welder in a shipyard, thereby entering the labor movement. Over the years he has been active in workplace and community struggles as well as electoral campaigns. He has worked for several labor unions in addition to serving as a senior staffperson in the national AFL-CIO.

Fletcher is the former president of TransAfrica Forum; a Senior Scholar with the Institute for Policy Studies; an editorial board member of BlackCommentator.com; and in the leadership of several other projects. Fletcher is the co-author (with Peter Agard) of “The Indispensable Ally: Black Workers and the Formation of the Congress of Industrial Organizations, 1934-1941”; the co-author (with Dr. Fernando Gapasin) of “Solidarity Divided: The crisis in organized labor and a new path toward social justice“; and the author of “‘They’re Bankrupting Us’ – And Twenty other myths about unions.” Fletcher is a syndicated columnist and a regular media commentator on television, radio and the Web.

Co-produced & edited by Aaron C. Schroeder / Pierced Ears Recording Co, Seattle WA (piercedearsmusic@gmail.com). Opening theme composed by T. Beaulieu. Closing theme composed by Dustfingaz (https://www.youtube.com/user/TheRazhu_)