Radical Social Democracy Part 1 With Abhishek Kasid (Vinni), Ranjan Wali (Tinku), And Sunny Sharma India Insight With Sunny Sharma podcast

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Link to YouTube video: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=StdiCf4rIFI&t=56s In this part 2 of a 6 part series including an introduction, I discuss some of the foundational ideas behind the struggle for black liberation, economic involvement, education, and political aspirations. Leaders like Booker T. Washington rose to prominence during this period advocating self help, economic reliance, business development, and racial accomodation. Others more critical of his outlook arose demanding not just political equality, but an entire referendum on a system that denied the most basic of rights whether that was equal health, education, or housing. These discussions, held at such forums as the Niagara Movement and spearheaded by numerous leaders such as most notably W.E.B. Du Bois, would boast a whole host of educators, clergy, and intellectuals. This would provide the genesis not only for future movements whether that was movements to end occupational discrimination in the next section or even further down the road where demands for participatory democracy would be pushed during the height of the Civil Rights movement, but also were critical to the formation of the most important African American advocacy organization of the 20th century the NAACP. Frederick Douglas and others didn't just demand the right to vote, but full political equality, foreshadowing that if blacks were unable to push for it now they would have to wait for a century for the same disposition and circumstances. Clergy such as Alexander Crummell would speak to the importance of fraternity and morality underlying the push for fundamental rights inspiring later ideas of W.E.B. Du Bois. Groundbreaking educators that demanded inclusivity in more elite institutions, following Washington's sentiment, would push blacks to reach new heights academically while also getting more involved in the Civil Rights Movement. Lastly, many blacks would set the foundation for black perspectives on socialism that would be very prevalent in the next section 1915-1954 such as Hubert Henry Harrison who would recognize through deep study that race exploitation not only is seated in class exploitation, but also that the controllers of the means of production benefit from the division of the proletariat. Of course, the renowned reporter Ida B. Wells would set the gold standard for investigative journalism and whistleblowing concerning the systemic and institutional racism of the Jim Crow South and establishment. Critique of the white establishment as well as inspiration for immense creativity in the arts and music through the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s and 1930s would be inspired by such figures as the poet and intellectual Paul Laurence Dunbar. These ideas would set the foundation for a whole new generation barred from political involvement in 1901, seeking the vote, socio-economic development, political protections, and purpose in a world that sought their subjugation. As we go into the next section, it is clear that there aren't only new educational opportunities, but also that organized labor was not going to give up the fight. The repression of blacks would not only force people to take on more radical agitational outlooks, but also resulted in swaying many towards socialism. However, for doing so there would be immense consequences. It was clear that as the divide grew, more radical black revolutionary nationalism would surface and there would be a paradigm shift among many leaders in the future just as it occurred through the most prominent black leader of this period Booker T. Washington. 3. Next podcast Thursday February 20: Section 3- From Plantation to Ghetto: The Great Migration, Harlem Renaissance, and World War, 1915-1954…

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Black History Month Special February: President Abraham Lincoln and LNTUA Section 1- Foundations: Slavery and Abolitionism, 1768-1861 26:51

hace 26 días26:51

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Hello to my audience, friends, and family this is India Insight with Sunny Sharma. If you enjoyed this podcast please follow, share, like, and subscribe for future episodes. Link to YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QukxoY3KSJA My channel is called Sunny Sharma@IndiaInsightMovement In honor of black history month and President Lincoln's birthday today (February 12), I discuss the significance of President Lincoln's legacy from my point of view as well as many of the most important black intellectual social and political ideas and thoughts from the period the Foundations: Slavery and Abolitionism, 1768-1861 in the book Let Nobody Turn Us Around (LNTUA): An African American Anthology President Lincoln's exercise of executive authority and war powers as well as his ability to navigate the complexity of political postering in the Legislative Branch allowed him to successfully abolish the institution of slavery as a military necessity and use this action to rally thousands of black troops to his side to definitively win the war. He was a humanitarian who spoke to internal harmony and coexistence between nations as well as, most importantly, the importance of the perseveration of the project of self government. Despite making many speeches, we remember President Lincoln as being a man of action; a figure who was pivotal in our understanding of the American republic's struggle to become more inclusive politically and economically. There were many prominent black intellectuals and abolitionists from 1768-1861 who were not just spiritually inspired and motivated to end slavery, but also to live up the the aspirations of the constitution. Many of the prominent black women of this period set the foundational ideas for black feminist thought that future intellectuals would engage with. The men on the other hand would set the fundamental ideas of black nationalism that such figures as Marcus Garvey and Malcolm X would bring to the forefront of their discourse. As a whole, most of these figures were not asking for a revolution and respected private property, they merely wanted a seat at the table. Those more disappointed with America's hypocrisy spoke of the need to return to Africa such as Martin Delany who advocated "Africa for Africans." The repercussions of the more dominant integrationist perspective over black nationalism would influence future leaders, at least for the beginning of their life, like Dr. King and Booker T. Washington to dominate the public discourse in favor of education and hard work as the vehicle for advancement vs more radical political and economic redistribution. However, many of these figures would shift their paradigm as time went on not just to demand political equality, but more economic opportunity for those generationally disadvantaged. In the next podcast episode, we see some of these tensions such as W.E.B. Du Bois perspective for a radical contract of political, economic, health, education, the end of Jim Crow Segregation, and more through the Declaration of the Niagara Movement vs. Booker T. Washington's advocacy for self-help, business development, and racial accommodation while ignoring political advancement. Black History Month February Coming up: The five part podcast on Let Nobody Turn Us Around: An African American Anthology 1. Section 1- Foundations: Slavery and Abolitionism, 1768-1861 2. Next podcast: Section 2- Reconstruction and Reaction: The Aftermath of Slavery and the Dawn of Segregation, 1861-1915 3. Section 3- From Plantation to Ghetto: The Great Migration, Harlem Renaissance, and World War, 1915-1954 4. Section 4- We Shall Overcome: The Second Reconstruction, 1954-1975 5. Section 5- The Future in the Present: Contemporary African-America…

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Black History Month Special February- Let Nobody Turn Us Around: An African American Anthology- Introduction 20:32

hace 28 días20:32

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Youtube video link: https://youtu.be/VD2hV906mP8 In honor of Black History Month in February, I want to share some of the most important insights I have learned from the book Let Nobody Turn Us Around: An African American Anthology (collection of essays and short speeches on black social and political thought primarily pertaining to the black struggle for liberation). This is part one, the intro, and the following 5 parts highlight 5 periods of American history since 1768 around the founding of the republic in 1776 all the way up to the seminal election of Barack Obama (who boasted a rainbow coalition) to the presidency of the United States of America in 2008. This almost 250 year history represents the black struggle for freedom and political advancement such as fulfilling the maximum privileges of participatory democracy as was the final goal of the democratic project (encompassing the previous fulfillment of political democracy in the 1850s through the first Reconstruction era and the aspirations for social democracy in the 1930s and 1940s). I point this out in the podcast The book argues that we must reexamine the place of black women in the black liberation struggle, insisting that their contribution to the advancement of liberty for all people is severely understated. Nonetheless, there are many unsung male and female heroes including presidents who helped or thwarted democratic aspirations for all people. Black History Month February Coming up: The five part podcast on Let Nobody Turn Us Around: An African American Anthology 1. Stay tuned for next podcast Wednesday February 12 Lincoln’s birthday: Section 1- Foundations: Slavery and Abolitionism, 1768-1861 2. Section 2- Reconstruction and Reaction: The Aftermath of Slavery and the Dawn of Segregation, 1861-1915 3. Section 3- From Plantation to Ghetto: The Great Migration, Harlem Renaissance, and World War, 1915-1954 4. Section 4- We Shall Overcome: The Second Reconstruction, 1954-1975 5. Section 5- The Future in the Present: Contemporary African-American Thought, 1975 to the Present…

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My Conversation with Dr. Subhash Kak: Quantum Mechanics, Consciousness, Linguistics, History, More 1:38:15

hace un año1:38:15

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Link to youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UulsDFqqqXQ Hello to my audience, friends, and family this is India Insight with Sunny Sharma. I am super excited to have one of the most prominent Indian intellectuals of the modern era on my podcast As you have must have heard some of my audio podcasts that I have been doing for the past 4 years, I’m privileged today for my first ever video visual podcast to have an intellectual trendsetter in the areas of quantum computing, linguistic connections between ancient cultures, ancient Vedic ideas of cosmology, physics, and science, history revisionism, and so much more. Dr. Subhash Kak is Regents Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater. His legacy speaks for itself. He has authored and co-authored at least 20 books on a variety of topics. He was awarded the Science Medal of the Indian National Science Academy in the autumn of 1977 at the Indian Science Congress given to him by Prime Minister Morarji Desai. Moreover, he was awarded the title of Vishwa Hindu by Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swami, the spiritual head of Avadhoota Datta Peetham, a major center for Vedic studies and spiritual life on May 20, 2007. In 2019, Dr. Kak was awarded the very prestigious Padma Shri for his immense contributions in multiple areas of expertise. I highly recommend for my audience to learn a little bit more about his intellectual legacy and trajectory throughout his career to read his book In the Circle of Memory: An Autobiography. Also in stores is his most recent book this year is The Age of Artificial Intelligence.…

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Why America and the world need a Multiparty System? 14:41

hace un año14:41

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Season 8 Episode 3 The true spirit of industry and capitalism is emblematic of choice and to reflect that idea means there must be a multiparty system in America and the world. The growth of special interests means there must be a counteracting force to serve the interests and grievances of everyday workers and taxpayers. This is the genesis of the need for new parties to come on the seen to serve the many different needs, perspectives, and ideologies of a diverse community of people. There must be a movement of organized labor to petition for not just for better standards of living and economic opportunity but also to secure our fundamental rights and liberties in every generation. Students of Indian, American, and other national histories know this too well. The problem in America, is that the average citizen not only does not know the essential importance of new parties throughout US history, but they have also been conditioned to believe and rely upon a lie; the two party system is the only means to achieving their fundamental needs and wants. Third parties have served essential functions in garnering support for new policy agendas and perpetuating them to the forefront of federal and local discourse. Like many social movements, they have shifted the moral narrative to include more and more people to get involved in the political process. Madison understood that party spirit would be inevitable, but he wasn't a fortune teller. Nonetheless, he was one of the only founders to be involved with both major parties during his day, the Federalists and the Democrat-Republican Party. He saw the necessity of parties to offer diffing points of views and emphasis on particular goals in what President Barack Obama calls the "arena of ideas" so as Madison understood the most popular ideas would come to the forefront. Many questions still remain. Did Madison believe such types of popular democracy were more effective than age old ideas of the primacy of aristocracy and oligarchies? Many people would say no; the founding fathers did not believe in such types of democracy, rather those most knowledgable and entrusted with the reigns of power should steer the course of a nation. That is for our generation to figure out: Does democracy function better when more people are involved or should those more "capable" decide how political decisions are made? I for one believe a multiparty system both gets more people involved while simultaneously, in President Obama's words, encourages more capable individuals to enter the political arena and discourse as too socially and culturally reform society for the better.…

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Why did the American Founding Fathers not trust Factions and Political Parties? Part 2 15:05

hace un año15:05

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The dangers of political parties, why we are so partisan in the modern era, and potential solutions to the problem. I further extrapolate on what the American founding fathers, especially James Madison, knew about political parties including the costs and benefits and why their 18th century arguments are still relevant today. I also point out that in hindsight that they were not able to predict all of the historical outcomes in American history including the growth of multinational corporation, special interests, bureaucracy, technocratic overreach, and the expansion of executive power, but nonetheless Madison set the constitutional framework of society to regulate the passions of men and injustice so reason prevails. For an aside not mentioned, Madison's decision to outline the Bill of Rights as mere Amendments was a debatable decision that was perhaps rooted in the potential danger of people utilizing and abusing their rights to oppress others or target government institutions. He thus had to balance the needs for the stability of government with the rights of the everyday citizen just as Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar had to do as the first law minister of India in the mid-1900s. The essential question for our era (as well as other eras in American history) is can the power of money be overcome by public sentiment and free men and women? Can organized power in the hands of certain people counter organized tyranny and what are the potential dangers of this? Please follow, share, and subscribe to my podcast for future episodes whether that is standalone podcasts or group discussion I do with my elder, informative, and insightful cousins Vinni and Tinku who live in Bangalore, India. Following my podcast encourages me to make new episodes to educate the public, but especially to educate myself on American, Indian, and other relevant historical and political ideas. Please tune in for my next podcast Season 8 episode 3 which I will release on Saturday January 11 called Why America and the world need a Multiparty System. Now let’s get started on this part 2 discussion on Political Parties:…

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Why did the American Founding Fathers not trust Factions and Political Parties? Part 1 12:06

hace un año12:06

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For the first episode of season 8 I explain that despite the fact that the American founding fathers were not party men, the Constitution in many ways facilitates the rise of parties and factions. This was the genius of Madison; creating a system of checks and balances whereby special interests would inevitably develop, but "ambition would counter ambition" ensuring that enterprising men would not take advantage of the majority nor the majority take advantage of the minority. I examine many of the most relevant warnings the American founding fathers, especially the Architect of the American Constitution James Madison, gave about factions and political parties and why they are certainly still relevant today. If you enjoyed this episode please follow and subscribe to my podcast for future standalone episodes on Indian and American history, news, and politics as well as discussions I have with my two elder, insightful, and informative cousins who live in India Vinni and Tinku. I will be releasing a part 2 to complement this discussion on the dangers of factions and political parties where I outline some of the reasons why modern-day society has become so partisan while also advising some potential solutions to the problem of parties in America. Supporting my podcast encourages me to make new episodes so if you enjoy what I'm producing please follow and share with others.…

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The Relevance of President Barack Obama’s 2024 Democracy Forum on Pluralism 13:29

hace un año13:29

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In this season 7 finale episode 10 podcast to close out the New Year and usher in 2025, I want to bring to attention the key ideas President Obama explicated at the Obama Foundation Democracy Forum of 2024 on Pluralism and why they are relevant today. The principal question is can diverse groups of people with different perspectives and ideologies live together in a free, open, and integrated society? I also talk briefly about some of the ideas from the three panelists from this Democracy Forum consisting of young people who are a part of the Obama foundation. Please follow and subscribe to my podcast for future standalone podcasts and discussions with my cousins Vinni, Tinku, and other people. Now lets get started:…

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Why society needs to be dedicated to Liberty and not Profit? 21:49

hace un año21:49

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Exalting upon high the principle of liberty to smash the pedestal upon which the principle of avaricious profit lays. Tune in to hear my case for the need for our society to dedicate itself to the principle of liberty in an era of growing inequality. I take inspiration from many of the greatest human rights icons, educators, and leaders of the modern eras such as President Obama, Nelson Mandela, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, Georges Bernanos, Michelle Alexander and Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR). It was becoming increasingly apparent to many people that America was slowly becoming a plutocracy in the late 19th century. Today that is a definite truth. I try to make the case that a society can be dedicated to either liberty or profit, not both at the same time. I also discuss the problems with vested economic interests having power over ethical implications as well as the dangers of tyranny of the majority/mobs, and increased polarization being directly correlated with increased income inequality. Moreover, job insecurity makes it more difficult to people to unionize as people are dissuaded by their bosses who own the means of production. Since the American New Left Movement 1950-1975 there was a strong student and minority movement demanding rights and a more egalitarian society. Today, there is a strong corporate backlash to this movement that has resulted in a shift in power towards big business also fueled by the growth in multinational corporations and globalization. It was not only the original 1st Amendment from the Bill of Rights and 14th Amendment founded at the beginning of Reconstruction that provided protections and judicial precedent there were also the consumer protection laws passed by FDR to provide a social safety net well into the 1960s. Much of this apparatus was dismantled and some of it was recovered under the Obama administration in response to the 2008 recession. The 2011 Occupy Wall Street Movement was sparked by the disillusionment by young people faced with college loans, unemployment, and a housing crisis. I discuss these issues in the podcast and how the spirit of youth in our generation will exalt the principle of liberty to act on our conscience through a grassroots movement to regulate the spirit of avarice due to our societies material decadence and dedication to profit in the current era.…

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Let Nobody Turn Us Around: The Meaning Behind the Ascendency of President Barack Obama and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar to the Subaltern Lower-Class Struggle 16:14

hace un año16:14

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President Barack Obama and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar were not just impeccable social reformers, but they were also unprecedented leaders for their time. It is difficult to compare them, but in every regard they were constitutional experts and trendsetters. They put their theoretical education into practical organizing: President Obama organized the very first true social media presidential campaign in history; Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar created two political parties, one for the labor classes, and one for Dalits (both which represent the subaltern classes). Nonetheless, both leaders stand on the shoulder of giants whether that was Civil Rights icons as Bayard Rustin or Harold Washington or social reformer as the Buddha and FDR. They sought to live up to the values not just of the US Constitution, but also of Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity which is commonly derived by many great people in history. Moreover, they predicted and forecasted many of the problems which I outline such as the dangers of tribalism.…

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My Case for a Politics for the Poor 14:52

hace un año14:52

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Please tune in to hear my case for the need for an organized effort against poverty in America. I expound on some of the ideas below. There have been concerted efforts by political, religious, and non profit organization to combat poverty in America and abroad but there has yet to be significant traction behind a movement to put an end to poverty once and for all in the richest country on earth. Dr. King in 1968, the same year that he died started the poor people's campaign to put an end to poverty in America (a campaign which has started again). Malcolm X before he died railed against capitalists taking advantage of minorities in their community without adequate compensation. It wasn't until the election of President Barack Obama that we saw substantial reform to the healthcare system; a system which insured millions of poor people. The significance of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar is that he integrated the principles of Buddhist morality with the principles of labor organizing. Similar to Dr. King's idea of the Beloved Community and Malcolm X's International solidarity, both with the idea of ending poverty and homelessness, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar generated a philosophy that viewed the liberation of an individual as wholly apart of the community as a whole. Organizing for justice was a community issue and so was spiritual salvation. Finally, President FDR through his introduction of a Second Economic Bill of Rights on radio in 1945 like Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar was determined to create a community built upon the principles of Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity.…

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Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s Most Famous 1942 Declaration: “Educate, Agitate, Organize” 9:47

hace un año9:47

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Tune in to hear about Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar's most famous clarion call and slogan declared at the 1942 All India Depressed Class Conference in Nagpur, India to "Educate, Agitate, Organize". This phrase has been a motto of labor organizers throughout the world. Dr. Ambedkar was a true servant to the people (Bodhisattva) with a vision to end systemic discrimination not just in India but throughout the world. He indeed was the greatest social reformer of modern day history in India. To him, our fight for liberation transcended labor organizing and intellectual discourse, it was intensely spiritual as well. Obtaining social democracy, that is Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity, was only possible when people are educated enough to ask questions through an awareness of laws and rights, agitate themselves to upset the traditional status quo as well as preconceived notions of what is possible, and organize to fight for a better world of social justice. This podcast was also made in reference to the change I made to my logo.…

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The Great Liberator Abraham Lincoln 1809-1865 Part 3 of 5: Reconciliation 9:32

hace un año9:32

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At the end of the war, President Lincoln, through the establishment of certain stipulations for the Southern Rebels to be brought back into the Confederacy, made the Emancipation of the Slaves the Cornerstone of Reconstruction in the South. Through his determination and personality, Lincoln he had won the affections and popular support of the American people. Moreover, he took a conciliatory route to resolving the war so as to tamper down any vitriol and vengeance on both sides. This was indeed the most costly war in American history. It is clear that Lincoln was wise and prudent with every step he took and through his love of the people on both sides he wanted all Americans to heal from the conflict. Along with one of the most renowned orators in American history Frederick Douglas and a legacy of freedom fighting abolitionist since the first slaves were brought to the Americas, President Lincoln not only gave meaning to the humanitarian efforts to abolish slavery, he also set the precedent for the true founding of American democracy through the Three Reconstruction Amendments (1865-1870), the 13th abolition of slavery, 14th Equal Protection Clause for all US citizens, and 15th Amendment granting all citizens the right to vote. To this day we are still fighting for their realization not just politically but socially.…

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The Great Liberator Abraham Lincoln 1809-1865 Part 4 of 5: Mystical Devotion 10:52

hace un año10:52

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Over time the legend of President Lincoln has only grown larger. A man, through his very goodness became great by which he represented the true ideals of democratic self government as outlined by the US Constitution and Declaration of Independence. As the Leader of America, he took it upon himself to impress upon his people, political cabinet, and political general his policy, personality, and force of character. Through the navigation of a complex military and political problem of the Civil War, President Lincoln demonstrated not only his diplomatic ability, but also his stern conviction to forgive the bloodshed so America can have a new birth of freedom.…

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The Great Liberator Abraham Lincoln 1809-1865 Part 5 of 5: Conclusion 6:36

hace un año6:36