Hitting Left With The Klonsky Brothers

Fred and Mike talk about the Chicago mayoral election between Paul Vallas (on the Right) and Brandon Johnson (on the Left). Then they are joined by noted educator Dr. Pedro Noguera, Dean of the Rossier School of Education, who knows more than a few things about Vallas' destructive educational policies.

Here's the latest in our Hitting Left Music series, Sounds From the Freedom Movements. We start off with a song from early hip-hop poets, Digable Planets called Femme Fetal. Recorded two decades ago, it anticipated the Supreme Court’s ruling outlawing abortion rights.   Thar will be followed by music from the anti-fascist Lula movement in Brazil. Buffy Sainte Marie, Pete Seeger, Stevie Wonder. Steve Earle, and much more.   Playlist:     1. La Femme Fetal by Digable Planets    2. Now that the Buffalo’s Gone by Buffy Sainte Marie    3. Never Had Your Back by Arrested Development    4. The Hammer Song by Pete Seeger    5. Steve’s Hammer by Steve Earle    6. John Henry by Furry Lewis    7. Which Side Are You On? By Natalie Merchant    8. "It's Wrong (Apartheid)" by Stevie Wonder     9, “Tá na hora do Jair já ir embora” by Maderada and Tiago Doidão’ which translates to “It’s time for Jair to go away already.”    10. Here’s to the State of Mississippi by Phil Ochs    11. 'Inner City Blues (Make Me

Joining Mike on this episoide is veteran Illinois political and investigative Tribune reporter, Ray Long. Like Mike, Ray is a long-time Dodger fan, and someone who has documented the state and city's history of poliical corrumption. Author of The House that Madigan Built: The Record Rule of Illinois' Velvet Hammer.

Joining Mike Klonsky are Northwestern Professor Patty Loew, director of the Center for Native American and Indigenous Research at Northwestern University. She is a member of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe. She’ll be talking about the legendary Indian athlete, Jim Thorpe. Also joining us will be and Native American activist/author/educator Nick Estes with more on the case of Leonard Peltier.  

Mike Klonsky discusses the war in Ukraine and more with "old, new-left) socialist writer, philosopher, and 60's SDS leader, Carl Davidson. 

Guests this episode are Reuben Jonathan Miller and Amanda Klonsky.   Professor Miller is A 2022 MacArthur Fellow, His research at the University of Chicago, examines how racialized and poor people experience law, crime control, and social welfare policy.    Dr. Amanda Klonsky is a teacher, author, and longtime prison activist whose current work focuses on Covid in Prisons

Rabbi Brant Rosen of the Chicago Tzedek congregation joins Mike on this edition of Hitting Left. Tzedek is an intentional Jewish congregation based on core values of justice, equity and solidarity. Rabbi Rosen and Mike discuss recent developments in Israel and Palestine.

Continuing the music shows for December. But next week Carl Davidson, long time Movement activist and writer, will be Mike's guest.

Mike is taking a break from the usual political talk. Instead he shares some of his favorite Movement songs.

Veteran civil rights activist, teacher and South Africa anti-apartheid organizer Prexy Nesbitt joins Mike and co-host Susan Klonsky.

Joining Mike and Susan Klonsky this week is Leila Wills talking about the Black Panther Party and preserving our history.

Joining Mike and co-host Susan Klonsky is Medea Benjamin from the anti-war group Code Pink. They talk about the war in Ukraine and the urgent need to get all sides to the table for peace talks.

Joining Mike and guest host Fred Klonsky is Clem Balanoff, veteran political and labor organizer to discuss the mid-term elections.

Joining Mike on Hitting Left is Pedro Noguera, the Emery Stoops and Joyce King Stoops Dean of the University of Southern California Rossier School of Eduction. He is recognized as a leading scholar of urban public education, equity, and school reform.

Joining Mike and Susan is veteran Chicago educator, policy advocate and community organizer, Jose Rico.

This week's Hitting Left podcast has Lumpen Radio's Ed and John for a discussion of alternative media and it's role in Chicago.

Joing Mike and Susan Klonsky this week is a hell-raiser in her own right, their old friend, historian, activist, and author, Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz.

Joing Mike and Susan is Floyd Webb, a film maker with knowledge of all kinds of media and social movements

Jerry Harris, national secretary of the Global Studies Association, author and educator join Mike and Susan to discuss the international situation, war in Ukraine, China, Russia and issues of war and peace.