GRITtv with Laura Flanders

GRITtv: January 6, 2010

Jan 6, 2010 Episode Archive
About this series: Laura Flanders talks to creative thinkers and change-makers from the worlds of politics, arts and the new economy. The smartest conversations, with the smartest thinkers and doers of our time, distributed in multiple formats on a variety of platforms. Keep abreast of fresh content by following GRITtv, the site Flanders founded, on Twitter @GRITtv.
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About this episode
The movement that put Barack Obama in the White House was widely proclaimed unlike anything seen before in U.S politics, and after the election, man...
The movement that put Barack Obama in the White House was widely proclaimed unlike anything seen before in U.S politics, and after the election, many wondered if there was a way to maintain the momentum to push for progressive policies. A year later, disappointment is widespread and some, like Micah Sifry of Personal Democracy Forum, say that the campaign was never as grassroots as billed. Others, like Karoli of the blog Odd Time Signatures, have remained involved with Organizing for America and are impressed with the work done by the organization on health care reform. We spoke to them about their thoughts on progressive organizing now. Geoff Berman, New York Deputy Field Director for OFA, also joined us in studio to talk about what's actually going on with his organization and what he thinks of the critiques. While progressives argue over who's failing to organize whom, other organizations have no trouble rounding up recruits from the many in the U.S. who are angry over bailouts, economic failures, and a governing class they feel is out of touch. Independent journalist Rick Rowley of Big Noise Films co-produced a film, White Power U.S.A., for Al Jazeera English on the rise of white nationalist groups since the inauguration of Barack Obama. He found that many of the new recruits to these groups don't consider themselves white nationalists, but are finding few other places to turn. Rowley and Chip Berlet, senior analyst at Political Research Associates and author of Right-Wing Populism in America: Too Close for Comfort join us to talk about the rise of the extreme right, racism, anti-immigrant sentiment, and the proper progressive response. We also talk to Jonathan "J.D." Meadows, who is featured in Rowley's film, about his involvement with the Council of Conservative Citizens and his fears for the economy. Finally, we look back to one year ago, when Oscar Grant was shot by an Oakland, California BART police officer. In this video from New America Media and Youth Outlook, Grant's relatives and the community speak out on what has happened since his senseless death, what has changed, and what hasn't. Less
56:01 News & Politics
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