Hamid Dabashi returns to This Is Hell! to discuss his new book from Haymarket Books, "After Savagery: Gaza, Genocide, and the Illusion of Western Civilization." Jeff Dorchen edifies us with a new "Moment of Truth" after the interview.

Check out Hamid's book here: https://www.haymarketbooks.org/books/2607-after-savagery

Help keep This Is Hell! completely listener supported and access bonus episodes by subscribing to our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thisishell

Please rate and review This Is Hell! wherever you get your podcasts. It really helps the show ascend the algorithm to reach new listeners.

Genocide and the Illusion of Western Civilization / Hamid Dabashi

We're back with our 53rd episode! Our guests are Denys Pilash, political scientist and democratic socialist from Kyiv, Ukraine and Igancy Jóźwiak, a sociologist, anthropologist and trade unionist from our hometown of Warsaw Poland. We talk about the Ukrainan people's long and ongoing struggle against the Russian chauvinism and imperialism. After discussing Ivan Dzyuba's Marxist-Leninist critique of the Soviet oppression of the Ukrainian society, culture and language, we move to another important book on this issue by Stephen Velychenko. Then we focus on the current events in the war-torn Ukraine and the fate of the anti-authoritarian and left-wing forces participating in fending off the Russian invasion. We also talk about the colonial mindset of large parts of the "Western Left" when it comes to taking stance on Ukraine and Russia as well as number of other issues. The accompanying graphic is a work of David Chichkan, a recently martyred anarchist soldier and artist who is also mentioned in our conversation.

People of Ukraine against the empire. From Marxist Critique of Russian colonialism to D. Chichkan

Aboriginal praise of laws of nature did not punish children or women by force due to deities' astral re-writing of consciousness to create obstacles, struggles and traumatic misfortune in the lifetime of children of the sun or descendants of pyramidal gods on black people's planet.1

Sweet Pea 02-21-23

In this thought-provoking episode, Tracy DW delves into the life of Nokutule Dube, a pioneering figure in South Africa's political landscape during the colonial and apartheid eras. Often overshadowed by her more famous contemporary, Winnie Mandela, Nokutule's remarkable achievements and unwavering spirit are brought to the forefront as Tracy explores her legacy and the profound impact she had on the fight for freedom. Listeners are invited to reflect on the broader historical context of Nokutule's life, including the socio-political changes in South Africa and the legacy of the ANC. Tracy urges us to recognise the often-overlooked contributions of figures like Nokutule and to appreciate the complexity of history as a tapestry of perspectives. This episode serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of acknowledging and preserving the achievements of African leaders who have shaped the course of history.   If you enjoy these podcasts, visit the website&nbsp;&nbsp;for our stories (poetic narratives) and more information about what we do.   You can also contact Tracy via audio on the&nbsp;&nbsp;or email Tracy&nbsp;  You can also visit the links for our One Million Podcast positioning which are also below:

Nokutule Dube: 'First Lady' of Resistance and Resilience

This audio is a full reading of the article ‘Orientalism and Colonialism: Critical Reading’ published on Rise Islamic Studies. The piece discusses the historical development of Orientalist scholarship, its connections to colonial and religious motivations, and the dual legacy it left behind — from preserving Islamic manuscripts and advancing linguistic studies to reinforcing stereotypes and colonial biases. This recording brings the text into an accessible audio format for listeners who prefer to engage with the material by listening rather than reading.

Critical Reading of Orientalism – Article Reading (Audio)

Hosted by Andrew Quinn, Darren Mooney and Jess Dunne, this week with special guest Joey Keogh, The 250 is a (mostly) weekly trip through some of the best (and worst) movies ever made, as voted for by Internet Movie Database Users. New episodes are released every second Saturday at 6pm GMT, with the occasional bonus episode between them.

This week, Dan Trachtenberg's Predator: Badlands.

And alien hunter named Dek is given an opportunity to prove himself by travelling to the hostile world of Genna and hunting the deadly kalisk, a beast so fearsome that the legends say it cannot be killed. In the hostile jungle, Dek finds unlikely allies and unexpected enemies.

At time of recording, it was not ranked on the list of the best movies of all time on the Internet Movie Database.

Show  Notes

437. Predator: Badlands - All-ien 2025 (#---)

“We’re at an inflection point – a civilizational crisis. Western imperial dominance is ending, and its dying spasms are only accelerating the collapse.” Aaron Good 

Aaron Good, author of American Exception: Empire and the Deep State, is back to talk with Steve about the crisis of the US-led imperial order and the manufactured “common sense” that keeps people trapped inside a rigged system. 

Centuries of Western imperial dominance are unraveling, and the US responds with flailing, genocidal actions in Gaza and Ukraine. These aren’t signs of strength; they’re the death rattles of a corpse that doesn’t know it’s dead yet. 

“Realizing you’re not voting your way out of it might be the most terrifying ‘aha moment’ of them all.” Steve Grumbine 

At home the two major US parties are presented as alternatives, the ballot is a participation trophy in the “managed spectacle” of elections. Obama? Trump? Biden?  Different brands, same oligarchy. Corporate media and algorithmic “alternative media” work together to keep people confused, divided, and clinging to the fantasy that if they just vote harder, donate more, and binge the right “left” YouTubers, they can reform a system designed to crush them. The empire’s to-do list (crush dissent, steal resources) remains the same. 

What are we to do? Maybe we can’t break the system yet, but we can stop being dupes. See the Matrix. 

Aaron Good holds a doctorate in political science from Temple University. He is the author of American Exception: Empire and the Deep State. He is the host of American Exception podcast https://americanexception.com/podcast/ 

Follow Aaron’s work at americanexception.substack.com/  

@Aaron_Good_ on X 

Dialectics of Dominance with Aaron Good

In this compelling episode, Tracy DW unravels the intricate colonial history of Sudan. From the powerful kingdoms that once thrived in this North East region of Africa to the tumultuous invasions and revolts, Tracy guides listeners through a timeline marked by resistance, conflict, and the quest for independence. &nbsp;Listeners will gain insight into the complexities of Sudan's political landscape highlights of the enduring legacy of colonial policies that have perpetuated ethnic and regional divides, leading to ongoing struggles for power and governance. &nbsp;As she reflects on the current humanitarian crisis in Sudan, Tracy poses vital questions about global awareness and responsibility, urging us to consider how historical narratives influence contemporary realities. This episode serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of remembering the past while acknowledging the pressing issues of the present.   If you enjoy these podcasts, visit the website&nbsp;&nbsp;for our stories (poetic narratives) and more information about what we do.   You can also contact Tracy via audio on the&nbsp;&nbsp;or email Tracy&nbsp;  You can also visit the links for our One Million Podcast positioning which are also below:    &nbsp;

Sudan - The Forgotten Remembrance

We follow the rise of civilization and of powerful empires in West Africa before the slave tade, based upon iron-working and the traffic in gold and salt across the Sahara, followed by the spread of wealth and power southward, towards the gold fields and the tropical forests, and finally the reverberating impacts of the arrival of Portuguese traders on the coast, which paved the way for the rise of the Atlantic slave trade.

Suggested further reading:  Rodney, “History of the Upper Guinea Coast”; Ajayi, ed., “History of West Africa,” vol. 1

Image:  Sculptural head from Ife, bronze & brass, ca. 1300s

Please sign on as a patron to hear patron-only lectures, including upcoming installment on Central AFrica:  https://www.patreon.com/c/u5530632

Cities of Iron & Gold: West Africa Before 1700

Historische, politische und literarische Interventionen.

Buchpräsentation: Koloniale Verstrickungen in Graz. Historische, politische und literarische Interventionen

Das Buch ist das Ergebnis einer intensiven Auseinandersetzung mit den kolonialen Verstrickungen in der Stadt Graz. Für die Konzeption eines Stadtspaziergangs – erstmals abgehalten im Oktober 2024 – bildete sich rund um das Forum Stadtpark eine Arbeitsgruppe mit dem Namen „Koloniale Verstrickungen“. Das Projektteam suchte Orte in Graz auf, an denen das koloniale Erbe, rassistische Repräsentationen und fortwirkende (post-)koloniale Machtverhältnisse zum Ausdruck kommen.

Das Buch stellt einen Zwischenstand der vielseitigen Aktivitäten des Projekts dar und beinhaltet neben 13 Erläuterungen der einzelnen Stationen des Stadtspaziergangs auch ein Interview sowie vier literarische Interventionen von Nava Ebrahimi, Barbi Marković, Muhammed Dumanli und Florian Dietmaier.

Im Zuge der Buchpräsentation, die musikalisch von Tobias Kochseder begleitet wird, möchte die Autor:innengruppe nach einer kurzen Vorstellung zu einer lebhaften Diskussion über die zentralen Erkenntnisse, Thesen und Leerstellen des Buches anregen. 

Autor:innengruppe:  Sarah Baumgartner, Heide K. Bruckner, Jennifer Brunner, Anela Dumonjić, Markus Gönitzer,
Sara T. Huber, Adjanie Kamucote, Fiston Mwanza Mujila, Derya Özkaya, Rivka Saltiel, Anna Verwey, Fabian Wagner

Buchgestaltung: Theresa Hattinger

Veranstaltung in Englischer und Deutscher Sprache!

Mehr Informationen: https://forumstadtpark.at/de/programm/buchpraesentation-koloniale-verstrickungen

Koloniale Verstrickungen in Graz

A weekly podcast looking at the best and worst films of all-time, as voted for by IMDB users.

New episodes typically on a Saturday, 6pm GMT.

History lectures by Samuel Biagetti, a historian (and antique dealer) with a Phd in early American history; my dissertation was on Freemasonry in the 1700s. I focus on the historical myths and distortions, from "the Middle Ages" to "Race," that people use to rationalize the world in which we live.   More info at www.historiansplaining.com

Please see my Patreon page, https://www.patreon.com/user?u=5530632, if you want to keep the lectures coming, and to hear the patron-only materials.

Das FORUM STADTPARK ist ein Produktions- und Präsentationsort für zeitgenössische Kunst. Organisiert als Künstler*innenverein, steht das Haus für einen erweiterten Kunstbegriff und für spartenübergreifendes Arbeiten in den Bereichen

Architektur, Literatur, Bildende Kunst, Film, Fotografie, Medienkunst, Gesellschaftspolitik, Musik, Theater, Performance, Theorie.

Es ist der Anspruch des Hauses, Labor und Plattform für viele Szenen der lokalen, Österreichischen und internationalen Kulturproduktion zu sein. Gegründet wurde das FORUM STADTPARK 1959 in Graz, unter anderem von Othmar Carli, Gustav Zankl, Siegfried Neuburg, Emil Breisach und Günter Waldorf. Sie adaptierten das leer stehende Grazer „Stadtpark-Cafe" für Kunstveranstaltungen. Der Name FORUM STADTPARK bezeichnet deshalb sowohl die Aktionsgemeinschaft, als auch den Ort mit der Anschrift Stadtpark 1. 

Heute finden pro Jahr etwa 190 Veranstaltungen im FORUM STADTPARK statt – der Großteil davon bei freiem Eintritt. Das Haus ist darüber hinaus barrierefrei zugänglich, verwendet Open Source Software, fährt mit Ökostrom und ist rauchfrei.

Macroeconomics has never been so ... delish!  Macro and Cheese explores the progressive movement through the lens of Modern Monetary Theory, with hot and irreverent political takes, spotlights in activism, and the razor sharp musings of Real Progressives Founder and host Steve Grumbine.  The cheese will flow as experts come in for a full, four course deep dive into the hot queso. 

Comfort Food for Thought!

'Brilliantly mixing strong electronica elements with the warm and welcoming nature of Gospel, Tracy DW's brilliant genre-melding, synth-riddled gospel track "Blessed" is an intriguing concoction consisting of Tracy's beautifully angelic vocal presence, groove-heavy rhythms, and sonically exciting synth layers that gives listeners a particularly different kind of Gospel inspired
listening experience. One that is both wildly creative and wonderfully retro in nature.'     Andre Avanessian (Radio Airplay)

'Blessed' was originally written in 2019 to celebrate a milestone birthday for Tracy DW. She began recording the song but due to COVID it
was placed 'on the shelf' for more than a year. As the lockdown went by the song became a metaphor and anthem for the undying and unwavering faith that Tracy had in her ability to celebrate life and remain optimistic and resilient during a period of fear, instability and uncertainty. Tracy says 'The lyrics covey my gratitude for the simple things in life that we so often take for
granted, such as being able to sleep in a warm, comfortable bed at night and waking up in the morning to make a cup of coffee…and during lockdown, I made many cups of coffee!’

Tracy, from Watford UK, decided to take the first steps in beginning her own journey as an independent artist back in 2018, working with
Guess Productions in East London to produce her music. Her first two tracks ‘He’s Alive’ (January 2020) and ‘Last Hour’ (August 2020) received
airplay on the Caribbean Broadcast Network and requested airplay on Nam Radio’s Global station throughout 2021 and 2022. 'Blessed' has a different vibe to Tracy's previous releases and leads the listener in a new direction, one that introduces us all to Tracy's unique brand of the Christian and Gospel genres

New tracks tagged #Colonialism