IN THESE TIMES OCTOBER 1O-16,1979 19 EDUCATION A short summer on Marxism f f Institute

s,-.c:.r:, ENJCYASLE, CHEAP, This week a door •:""sctiv£ tr£i:-.i~g course in ivisvxisi sccrcrr,:;: analysis is opened for me/ Anally ava"?ils. "t's design- ed especially fcr people one student said Aworking a-'curid iaec::, community, gender, ran?. ?.rrl energy issues. The Cents- ?cr Popular ^Economics after the session, (CPE)—c.-ge.;-'?;ec. by teachers and graduate si^&r.-.'.s at t""o University of have to understand how it works." Massachusetts- offers jr. Summer In- "I had a vague framework of Marxist stitute for c ionizers and activists from analysis—mainly as moral argumen- around the country. T"2 first two one- ts—about what's wrong," said Carol weck SESSIONS ./sre hs!c. this August in Regan, a health care activist from Rhode Ambers?, Ma,, r.s.d they jJrov/ 88 people Island, "I came here to get concrete in- from 20 states, the District cf Columbia formation to substantiate those and Canada. arguments. And it's given me tools." The response v.'as u°s.:-;y unanimous Institute staff were happy too. "It was enthusiasrr, undoubtedly the most exhilirating "I wanted to be able tc talk to my teaching experience I've ever had," said people about v/'-at's hapoe:dr.g to their instructor Julie Schor. "The participants paychecks/' said Bi^ns Norton, were so well informed, and motivated, president of t.oe NEA-affCiatsd Haver- and dedicated." The intense interest in hii) (Ma.) Education Association. The the material, said Schor, plus the eager Summer In.sti'u.>i;j; helped. "Tnis week," response to the Institute itself—ap- she said, 'T'vr. had a door opened for plicants more than doubled the number "This was the shakedown cruise," said radio news editor Ben Dudley, me." of available slots—show that "a lot of cover in such a short time that it forces problems and issues we wanted to ad- Ed Collins, business agent of IBEW people around the country are hungry us to corne to grips with the material in a dress—and as we listed, we realized they Local 455 (Springfield, Ma.}, felt the for economics." But that desire to learn productive way. Every sentence takes up all had an economic base." has been blocked for many, she said, by same way. "!i's going to help me raise precious time." Starting out as a student group at the issues with the members in non- an intimidating or boring or mystifying rhetorical terms," he said. ''You can't presentation of the subject. "At the In- Indeed, the week-long course has been University of Illinois in Champaign (the .just spit out a phrase from a book. You stitute," she said, "there's so much to condensed from something originally in- town is still their home base), United tended to take much longer. But CPE Mime Workers has performed widely wanted to make sure that Institute around the country and overseas. The length would be accessible to time-short troupe was part of the U.S. Cultural organizers. Delegation to the 1978 International "Progressive groups around the coun- Youth Festival in Cuba. Swedish elections try increasingly are told that their "One of the neat things about this," programs violate the 'laws of econo- said Institute administrator Tom Rid- Continued from, page I'. wing propaganda on the subject and mics,' " says the Institute brochure. dell, "is that not only did people learn a paremty dnpopuiar plan tc establish partly because some members of " 'Law and Order' has been joined by lot, but they had fun." union coriirclled capital investment Sweden's general confederation of trade 'Supply and Demand' as the rallying cry They also had some criticisms. Par- funds that would gradually assume con- unions (LO) distrust their top leaders. and rationale for the new conservative ticipants in the first session insisted trol over mere profitable Swedish As significant as blue-collar discon- resurgence in the U.S. Lacking a convinc- on—and got—a more thorough businesses through stock ownership. tent and defections is the Social ing alternative economic analysis, many discussion of the economic interlocks of Three years age, the party's strong Democrats difficulty in winning over organizing efforts are placed on the race, sex, and capital. And while the pro-nukr. statute lost it ~any votes more white collar workers. About a defensive." male-female balance of participants was among students. intellectuals and en- million of them are organized in a Aiming to aid the growth of the about even, minorities were under- vironmentalists. They voted instead for separate national confederation of needed alternative analysis, the Institute 7 represented. I alldin, the Center Party candidate, private and public sector unions. More curriculum included subject headings "This year we didn't have enough who promised tc stop nuclear power officials of these unions have recently such as these: wages and labor process; time or money for our advertising," said development a---d phass cut existing come to support the Social Democratic attack from the New Right; macro Tom Riddell. "Next year we'll be adver- plants. Before ;:his year's campaign even Party just as the LO always has, but the policy and inflation; the state in tising in third world and minority began, the near-catastrophe at rank-and-file has not followed the capitalism; current economic crisis; papers, and we're hoping that some of Harrisburg forced *hs Social Democratic leaders. political economy of the environment; our minority graduates will help advise leadership to r'-ake an abrupt about-face The Party's views—summarized in a socialism and workers' control. Small the [recruitment] process." "You havs on the is~u~. The party immediately "100 Day Program" for its now- classes were mixed with whole-group to take into consideration that this was called for a national referendum on the postponed return to power—were for- gatherings, panel discussions, workshops the shakedown cruise," said Washing- future of n-uciear power in Sweden next cefully expressed throughout the cam- on researching corporations and commu- ton, D.C. radio news editor Ben Dudley, June. paign by party leader Palme. During the nities, films and slideshows and parties. the only black participant in the first Many a>om plant opponents both in- TV debate, he blasted the bourgeois par- A "hands-on" demonstration of ex- session. side and outside the party still doubt the ties for the big trade deficit, foreign change value brought the United Mime Riddell says that the Institute staff, dept of Oiof Palme's concern for borrowing, higher food prices, and Workers to the second session of the which also includes Sam Bowles, Diane nuclear safety. So again this year, the unemployment that has developed Summer Institute for Popular Economics. Flaherty, Nancy Folbrc, David Kotz, Center Party and the Communists both during the last three years. How much The Mime troupe performed in re- Fred Mosely, Marti Rogison and Bob continued to dra\y anti-nuclear votes support their new coalition government turn for two days' room and board, Sherry, will refine the program before away from the Social Democrats. And continues to have will depend largely on plus class participation. On the third next summer. They are also taking the the small but growing Communist Party their handling of the economy. Not day, the other participants voted to ask show on the road. A first trial weekend is using its surprisingly strong "no-nuke" enough voters apparently agree yet that the Mime Workers—Bob Feldman, Jeff version will be conducted under the stand to recruit active young members in they have mismanaged the economy as Classman, Deborah Langerman, and sponsorship of local organizations in student and university circles. badly as the Social Democrats charge. Bob Rebitzer—to stay on. Milwaukee in January, says Riddel!, and The union-backed proposal for "wage Meanwhile in the next round of It seemed odd at first: silent expressive similar outings arc hoped for elsewhere. earners funds" that hurt Palme's re- national wage negotiations, which begin acting wrapped up with talk-happy Riddell said CPE hopes to offer four election bid. in 1976 didn't help this year soon and extend into 1980, the em- Marxist economics? Institute sessions next summer. The cost either. After its last election; the Social ployers are likely to be emboldened by "We try to compose visual metaphors (for room and board only) will rise Democrats seemed, to rstrsat from the the election victory they helped to finan- of elements, issues of the social and (what else?) slightly with inflation; idea. But. :.-.-. & nationally televised ce. LO officials anticipate tougher economic system that audiences can use probably to $125. CPE still expects to debate en. tn.£ c:ve of tlie voting, Boh- bargaining than usual and greater mem- as tools for reexamination," said raise enough outside money, however, rnan, Falldin, and Ullstsr: all flailed bership resistance to a policy of wage Classman. "So we have to weed out our to offer scholarships at the same level as away at what they described as a secret restraint. What labor has lost in the elec- own inaccuracies, or inclarities, that this year—about half the cost defrayed Social Democratic plan to "wreck tion, it may try—-as in Britain—to get might backfire. for about half the participants, with a Sweden's Tns.rk.^t sconcrjy11 .by turning back at the bargaining table, with the "We had been concerned with the slight edge on assistance to applicants control cv?~-: it tc "a fsiv top union of- result being less labor peace than is usual economy and undesirable aspects of the who live far away. • ficials.^ in Sweden. • [political-economic] system for quite a Polls have shown GO gigs.': enthusiasm Steve Early is a labor journalist and while," said Bob Feldman. "Finally, The Center for Popular Economics can for the funds even among rank-and-file lawyer affiliated with the American three years ago, we decided we had to do be reached at Box 785, A mherst, Massa- workers, partly because nf heavy right- Labor Education Center in Washington. a serious study. We made a list of the chusetts 01002. LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED

2O IN THESE TIMES OCTOBER 1O-16,1979 AnTofNTERTftlNNIfNT MUSE The nuclear threat is spurring By Pat Cox other popular artforms as well, and the MUSE concerts provid- "The same people who ed a forum to display them. For brought you Vietnam are bring- instance, Jocko Marcellino, the ing you nuclear power," said drummer in Sha-Na-Na and Pam Lippe, a staff member of singer/songwriter John Amato MUSE (Musicians United for are both members of the Fourth Safe Energy). Wall Repertory Co. Band. The An organizer of the May 6th Fourth Wall is apparently the March on Washington and the only New York-based theater 200,000-strong September 23rd company solely committed to Rally at Manhattan's Battery anti-nuclear issues. At the rally Park City Landfill, Pam sees they performed four of a large herself involved full-time in repertoire of strong anti-nuclear MUSE in several ways for at songs that are part of a twice-a- *" least three more years. There week program called Music Live, are plans for future" concerts, original pop and rock songs di- follow-through on the produc- rected at specific issues in the tion of an album and film made nuclear power crisis. The rest of during the MUSE week of con- their week was devoted to per- ceits, and the administration of formances of Ride A Red Horse, MUSE grants to local grass-roots a violent anti-nuclear drama anti-nuclear groups. written and directed by Joan "I started organizing against Harvey. nuclear power about five years Will the MUSE concerts be a ago up in western Massachu- financial success.? The financial setts with Sam Lovejoy and statement is still forthcoming, Harvey Wasserman [both mem- and it depends on the success of bers of the MUSE Foundation the album and film as well. Board]. The whole movement Even at its most optimistic esti- started in the countryside years mates, MUSE can't hope to raise ago, with people suing and le- the kind of money the utilities gally trying to stop nuclear put behind pro-nuclear adver- power. In February, 1974 Sam tising, of course. The Edison knocked over that tower on his Electric Institute, for example, property in Montague, Massa- just decided to "shadow" Jane chusetts, that first act of direct Fonda and Tom Hayden on the action. It made me start to ques- Bob Gum pert/Stan Sierakowski road with close to a million dol- tion everything." lars of pro-nuclear advertising. As Pam sees it, such direct And thatVin a4djtipn to their actions have led to a change in regular annual $4 i general public opinion. Money and fame flow budget. "If you look at the tactics of Whatever happens to money the Clamshell Allianee—the^st •= raised by the MUSE concerts, it —^ major direct action organiza- will, unlike many other benefits, ' tion—and the Seabrook occu- be open knowledge, because it's pations, which began in 1976— to anti-nuke cause a benefit series by the musicians direct action has characterized themselves. MUSE was organiz- the movement for the last few effectively and strategically. we're insane enough to kill our- chy sound of the Avis Davis ed by musicians who were tired years. Right after Sam's action, Board A of MUSE is composed selves, or to poison ourselves, Band were one of several shots- of putting their consciences in alliances sprang up all over the of musicians, production people or whatever, at least that's our in-the-arm at the rally. Joy said the services of promoters who country. And, since then, there and a couple of people from the problem...but once you start af- she has long admired the con- disappeared with a benefit's ben- have been direct actions all over movement. It raises the money. fecting future generations and tinued involvement of people efits, and also tired of half- the country: in Rocky Flats, Board B is larger—16 people— deny my children or my child- like Jackson and Bonnie Raitt, measures like one-time perfor- California, Tennessee, South and was put together to be sex- ren's children a decent life, but has been "preoccupied with mances and small concerts. Carolina, New England. ually, racially and regionally that's something else. the nuclear issue m my own Aside from the money, there "What you've found growing balanced, and as representative "I think of this movement as head since Hiroshima and Naga- are immediate benefits. MUSE between Three Mile Island, The as possible of the anti-nuclear an expression of a life-force. saki. I've always lived with the staff and performers were both China Syndrome and May 6 is movement. People see how the corporations threat that my life could end in buoyed by the publicity the con- an extremely broad movement. "Board B gives the money in this country have colluded to anatomic war." certs and rally generated for the I remember as recently as 1975 away. Board B has a binding develop a technology that is "No More Nukes" brought no-nuke issue. Concert organiz- people saying 'Huh?' when contract with Board A that any anti-people in every single way her in touch with numerous ers marveled at the comradeship you mentioned nuclear power money that it raises must be given —from health to safety to people involved in the move- cultivated among performers or clearly saying, 'We need to the foundation. The mem- economics. ment—people who would hear working for a common cause, nuclear power.' When it's men- bers of the foundation—from "Nuclear power is about the it sung at concerts, leaflet her, and revelled in the good spirits tioned today, the immediate re- Tom Hayden to Valerie Pope ways in which this society works. arid ask her to perform it at communicated to activists every- sponse is mainly negative." (an ex-welfare mother who People ask me, 'What are you anti-nuclear benefits. where. Head counts alone sug- The history of MUSE, Pam works on a solar construction going to do after this?' I can't "That's how I acquired a lot gested broad popular support pointed out, is based in the project in southern California) do anything else. This is a ques- of my information, from people among young people for the career histories of particular re- to Jose Barreiro of the Black tion of survival. If we don't get who would talk to us about the anti-nuke position. formers. People like Bonnie Hills Alliance and an editor of our act together, we can destroy issue after our set," said Joy. The MUSE concerts are over Raitt, John Hall, Jackson Akwesasne Notes—have a first- the species." "I've also gained a lot from the —for the moment. The plann- Browne, Graham Nash and Jesse hand knowledge and under- Jackson Browne, backstage media—several important British ing goes on. A good three years' ^ Colin Young have been doing standing of what this movement at the MUSE Garden concerts, films on television, radio broad- worth of work lies ahead for the "'" concerts like the Madison Square means." and in Rolling Stone shared this casts, and newspaper reports. MUSE foundation, just in de- Garden series for years at the . The MUSE foundation has attitude. "This generation has "I don't think it's necessary ciding who, what, where and grass-roots level. three targets for its money. One the responsibility of deciding to write 'moon, June, spoon' how much for the anti-nuke "You can see that music is a is national anti-nuke groups. something for all time, and I songs. For me, songs have to be monies raised by MUSE ac- very important way to draw peo- Another is local grass-roots or- can't really think of a time in socially relevant. Nuclear power tivities. ple in," said Pam. "First people ganizing around the issue. The the past when that's been the transcends everything—includ- The projects go on too. Other ^,_, have to be made aware that third is media coverage, includ- case. The lives of future gene- ing war. It affects the entire MUSE concerts—some with dif- something is a problem, and ing media projects by national rations are in our hands. Jesus, world." ferent styles of music—are being then they have to learn about it. and local groups. MUSE people it sounds pretty hokey, but it's Writers and friends who had talked about. So are TV shows These concerts have made a are, also talking about develop- true. I think it's been said a lot heard Joy's song encouraged and telethons. The MUSE per- great many people aware of the ing their own media wing, both of times when it wasn't true, but the rally organizers to put her formers have set in motion a problem. Then they'll take it to generate press material and it really is true this time." on the bill with Pete Seeger, process that shows no signs of *' wherever they're going to take it. to train people to get access to Tom Paxton, and Crosby, Stills stopping. "Some may never think about newspaper, radio and TV. Atomic threat. and Nash and others. Nor do the musicians seem to nuclear power again, and others "People in MUSE like Jack- Joy Ryder, with the Avis Davis "Unfortunately, the New want to quit. Graham Nash will pay attention when it's men- son Browne, who has a young Band, the only New Wave per- Music has been given a 'neo- shares Pam Lippe's sentiments tioned in a newspaper or on TV son," said Pam, "and John formers at the Sunday Rally, Nazi, neo-chic' image in the about anti-nuke organizing. As —because Jackson is a favorite Hall, whose wife has a new-born have been performing the song, press. But it's a broad genre, he said recently to an interview- of theirs and he's concerned baby, are concerned about our "No More Nukes," in small and like any other grouping, er, "This is not just something I -: about it. children. punk cfoSbsi-iand gatherings ther.e are varieties of viewpoints can get on the back of and ride "It's exciting to think how much "And for me, the thing about around1 rhe^cotintry for a year within it. I'm against willful for a year as it suits me, and easier it's going to be to insure nuclear power that's so critical and a half. destruction, and I want to work then leave. This thing is a life- that this money will be spent is the genetic aspect of it. If The song and the tight, raun- against it through my songs." long commitment." , •

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