Magazine Review, published 11/14/11, NewPages.com

Against the CurrentNumber 152

May/June 2011

Bimonthly

Review by Joanne B. Conrad

"Published […] to promote dialogue among […] activists, organizers, and serious scholars of the left, Against the Current promotes "socialism […] of a revolutionary, working-class, multinational, multiracial, feminist, and anti-bureaucratic socialist movement." A lengthy letter from the Editors bemoans the "assault on public workers and their unions in one state after another" and states, "a new massive worker-led popular movement is the need of the hour" to save collective bargaining, Social Security, public broadcasting, planned parenthood, the Patient Protection and Affordability Care Act (PPACA), public education, et al, from "the lying propaganda of the financial privateers and budget-slashing 'free-market' fundamentalists." These editors believe Republicans serve a single master—corporate capital, and that the Democrats serve two—corporate capital and labor, but will "succeed only by delivering benefits to their key voting base—labor, African Americans, others of color, and women."

Ten substantial articles about American Muslims; Egypt, Libya, & Arab uprisings; Wisconsin and Ohio anti-union activities, public education, Tennessee's Educators Association's struggles, and Michigan's Emergency Managers are enlightening and well-written.

A six-page essay about black feminist fighter Florynce Kennedy involved in feminist and black power controversies and organizing by Professor Sherie M. Randolph, University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, is overwhelmingly detailed but summarizes Kennedy's "ultimate goal that organizations and activists focus on defeating…the real oppressor: the racist sexist genocidal establishment."

Five book reviews covering author Ralph Ellison, workers' revolts, Israel, Zionism, and LGBT issues are also included. All but the book about lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgenders, The Right to be Out by Stuart Biegel, reviewed by Eriku MC Ide are erudite, even esoteric, requiring at least two reads.

A “dialogue” about rebuilding the anti-war movement and two "memoria" for Wilebaldo Solano, a Spanish freedom fighter, and Chicago's artist/activist Margaret Burroughs round out this issue.

Against the Current seems much more scholarly than some other leftist alternative magazines. It often requires concentrated reading, even re-reading. Full credits are provided for all the contributors, which are helpful to readers. The book review by Detroit auto mechanic Jimmy Johnson of The Returns of Zionism by Gabriel Piterberg seemed particularly, but pleasurably, challenging.
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