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USfest: the democracy party! The 'Not me. Us.' podcastAuthor: Brian
The usfest podcast is an unfettered exploration of (not me) us culture, hosted by blacklisted radio DJ Brian Bakunin & artist/wage-slave Suzi Bombchop. Our mission is to party progressives into political power, by amplifying voices who rarely break through the corporate news filter, exploring how music, art, comedy & culture *can and must* revive & transform democracy to save the world from fascist annihilation. Language: en Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Carolyn Ruff on Laquan McDonald, Jesse Jackson, and Why Young People Must Vote
Wednesday, 13 May, 2026
In this conversation, Ms. Carolyn Ruff — Chicago organizer, movement elder, and founder of Black Lives Matter Women of Faith — reflects on the murder of Laquan McDonald, her years in the orbit of Rev. Jesse Jackson and Rainbow PUSH, the importance of voting, and why so many young people have grown disillusioned with politics.We met Ms. Ruff at the @NationalActionNetwork convention in New York and knew immediately we wanted to hear more of her story. In this interview, she shares how she found her way into movement work, what she has learned from standing with families seeking justice, and why she believes too many politicians wear the label “Democrat” without truly serving the people.This conversation is part of our ongoing effort at DiscoDemocracy.fun to honor the wisdom of movement elders while also asking how that wisdom speaks to today’s digital, political, and moral chaos.Topics include:Laquan McDonald and the fight for justiceRev. Jesse Jackson, Rainbow PUSH, and movement historySonia Massey and standing with familieswhy young people must voteyouth disillusionment, Palestine, and political betrayal“fake Democrats” and the crisis of trusttrades, education, and practical hopeEditorial note: This edit includes photos, archival footage, and contextual clips added in post-production to help illustrate the stories and concerns discussed. Some of those materials were not viewed by Ms. Ruff during the interview itself.
