The Scarlet Standard: Recent Episodes
The Scarlet Standard
We are a podcast focused on Canadian political-economy and Toronto-based political activism from a internationalist socialist perspective. We also host interviews with authors, academics, activists, and organizers on the Left.
This podcast is produced in association with The Socialist Project. Learn more and get involved at socialistproject.ca/
You can connect with the podcast on Twitter @theScarletStand or via email at scarletstandardpod@gmail.com.
In this episode, two of our Socialist Project comrades (Matt Davis & Tori Fleming) interview Jonathan Rosenblum for a discussion about labour organizing strategies, Amazon, and the NLRB.
Jonathan is a Seattle-based union and community organizer, and the author of Beyond $15: Immigrant Workers, Faith Activists, and the Revival of the Labor Movement. He works as a community organizer for Seattle City Councilmember Kshama Sawant. More about him can be found at jonathanrosenblum.org.
Transcripts of this episode can be found at the following links: https://socialistproject.ca/2022/02/union-organizing-at-amazon/ https://socialistproject.ca/2022/03/lessons-for-organizing/
This podcast is produced in association with The Socialist Project. Learn more and get involved at socialistproject.ca/.
You can connect with the podcast on Twitter @theScarletStand or via email at scarletstandardpod@gmail.com.
Outro song: "There Is Power In a Union" by Billy Bragg.
We are joined by Shreya Ghimire (@shreyalol) to discuss the colonial foundations of the 'Voluntourism' and it's intersections with Canada's imperialist foreign policy. Shreya is a graduate student in Political Science at York University. Her research interests are in Marxist and feminist critiques of development, gender and development, and the political economy of Canada’s international politics.
You can read her recent article in The Bullet on the subject of voluntourism here : https://socialistproject.ca/2021/11/canadian-imperialism-responsibility-to-protect-responsibility-voluntour/
This podcast is produced in association with The Socialist Project. Learn more and get involved at socialistproject.ca/.
You can connect with the podcast on Twitter @theScarletStand or via email at scarletstandardpod@gmail.com.
We are joined by Sam Gindin, a legendary Canadian labour researcher, author, and organizer, to chat about a wide-range of topics involving the state of labour in North America. We try to dissect the pesky truth of neoliberalism, the limits of unions, and what is next for the left under Biden.
This podcast is produced in association with The Socialist Project. Learn more and get involved at socialistproject.ca/.
You can connect with the podcast on Twitter @theScarletStand or via email at scarletstandardpod@gmail.com.
Outro song: "Inner City Blues" by Gil Scott-Heron.
In this episode Bruce and Amadeus discuss the Canadian Federal election. We review the implications of the election results for each of the major national parties, their leaders and constituents, and continue to bemoan the strategic and political failures of the NDP.
We are joined by Tom Wojcik, the Co-Chair of the Americas Subcommittee within the International Committee of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). Tom was part of the delegation that recently visited Caracas, Venezuela for the Congreso Bicentinario de los Pueblos del Mundo.
We discuss sanctions against Venezuela, the commune project within the country, and how the DSA is committing itself to international solidarity.
You can find Tom (@TomWojcik) and the DSA's International Committee (@DSA_Intl_Comm)on Twitter.
This podcast is produced in association with The Socialist Project. Learn more and get involved at socialistproject.ca/.
You can connect with the podcast on Twitter @theScarletStand or via email at scarletstandardpod@gmail.com.
Outro song: "Spare Tire" by Cory Wong & Ariel Posen
We are joined again by friend of the show Dr. Tyler Shipley to discuss recent events in Cuba and Haiti. Tyler helps us contextualize current events within the history of interference in the Caribbean by Canada and other capitalist imperial powers.
Tyler Shipley is professor of Culture, Society, and Commerce at the Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning. His new book can be purchased through Fernwood Publishing: fernwoodpublishing.ca/book/canada-in-the-world
This podcast is produced in association with The Socialist Project. Learn more and get involved at socialistproject.ca/.
You can connect with the podcast on Twitter @theScarletStand or via email at scarletstandardpod@gmail.com.
Outro song: "Take Five" by Dave Brubeck
Given a likely impending election this fall, a check-in with all the major parties (and the Greens) was in order. We run through sus pre-election Liberal spending commitments, bizarre Conservative campaign focuses, typical NDP disappointments, and the dumpster that is the Green Party.
This podcast is produced in association with The Socialist Project. Learn more and get involved at socialistproject.ca.
You can connect with the podcast on Twitter @theScarletStand or via email at scarletstandardpod@gmail.com
Outro song: "Broccoli Tempura" by Kitty & Daisy & Lewis
This episode is part two of our interview with writer, activist, academic, and friend of the pod, Niko Block about Palestine and Israeli Apartheid.
This time we discuss how to refocus and revitalize the BDS movement in Canada and the United States, contemporary debates surrounding the Israel Lobby, and the weaponization of spurious accusation of anti-Semitism against Palestinian solidarity.
Niko's Bullet article on BDS : https://socialistproject.ca/2020/05/renewing-bds-in-canada-and-usa/
Recommended viewing : Mayor - https://www.mayorfilm.com/ Our Boys - https://www.crave.ca/en/tv-shows/our-boys Gaza - https://www.filmoptioninternational.com/gaza 1948 Creation & Catastrophe - https://www.1948movie.com/
This podcast is produced in association with The Socialist Project. Learn more and get involved at socialistproject.ca.
You can connect with the podcast on Twitter @theScarletStand or via email at scarletstandardpod@gmail.com
Outro song: "Life During Wartime" by Talking Heads
In the first part of a two-part series, we interview writer, activist, academic, and friend of the pod Niko Block about Palestine. Diving into the history of the mid-00s, Niko explains how Israeli disengagement from Gaza and the 2006 Palestinian legislative elections gave rise to the current moment.
To learn more, consider the following: "Renewing BDS in Canada and the US" by Niko Block(May 2020): https://socialistproject.ca/2020/05/renewing-bds-in-canada-and-usa/
"The End of a Political Fiction?" by Adam Hanieh (Jan 2006): https://socialistproject.ca/2006/01/b13/
This podcast is produced in association with The Socialist Project. Learn more and get involved at socialistproject.ca.
You can connect with the podcast on Twitter @theScarletStand or via email at scarletstandardpod@gmail.com
Outro song: "Impossible Germany" by Wilco
In this episode we dig through a libertarian Financial Post article opposing a TRIPS waiver for COVID vaccines, discuss the public research origin of COVID vaccines, and dissect Biden's puzzling tentative support for a patent waiver.
This podcast is produced in association with The Socialist Project. Learn more and get involved at socialistproject.ca.
You can connect with the podcast on Twitter @theScarletStand or via email at scarletstandardpod@gmail.com.
Outro song: "Tesselation" by Mild High Club
In this episode we discuss Doug Ford's disastrous mismanagement of the covid crisis in Ontario, and dissect the results of the recent 2021 NDP Federal Party Convention.
This podcast is produced in association with The Socialist Project. Learn more and get involved at socialistproject.ca.
You can connect with the podcast on Twitter @theScarletStand or via email at scarletstandardpod@gmail.com.
Outro song: "Total Football" by Parquet Courts
In the digital age, socialists have used the Internet to their advantage, both for messaging and organizing. But what kind of a radical politics can really emerge from the clutches of capital and their dominance of Big Tech? Dr. Tanner Mirrlees of Ontario Tech University is optimistic! Tanner helps us find some hope in the age of posting by historicizing the Internet, leftist media, and media criticism, as well as probing how leftists can navigate 'entrepreneurial' content creation.
This podcast is produced in association with The Socialist Project. Learn more and get involved at socialistproject.ca.
You can connect with the podcast on Twitter @theScarletStand or via email at scarletstandardpod@gmail.com.
Outro song: "While We're Young" by Snarky Puppy
In a time where the Left is desperately searching for a viable alternative model to global capitalism, rather than merely critiques of it, co-ops have emerged as an easy reference to a potential future system. As the co-op model has staked a place in the popular leftists imagination, it is necessary to consider it's short comings, and the limits it imposes on socialist movements.
To discuss these issues we are joined by Dr. Sharryn Kasmir of Hofstra University.
This podcast is produced in association with The Socialist Project. Learn more and get involved at socialistproject.ca.
You can connect with the podcast on Twitter @theScarletStand or via email at scarletstandardpod@gmail.com.
Outro song: "Molly Allen" by Spacebomb House Band
In this episode we discuss the failure of Bill C-213 to pass its Second Reading in the HoC. C-213 (a Private Member's Bill from NDP MP Peter Julian) would have started the process of creating a national pharmacare program in Canada. We dive into the structure of the bill, arguments that it was 'unconstitutional', our hopes for and disappointments with the NDP, and (of course) how vile King Shill Adam Vaughan really is.
This podcast is produced in association with The Socialist Project. Learn more and get involved at socialistproject.ca.
You can connect with the podcast on Twitter @theScarletStand or via email at scarletstandardpod@gmail.com.
Outro song: "Acid Mountain" by Moon Hooch
In this episode we continue our discussion of the crisis in long term care homes in Ontario. This time we are joined by Dr. Pat Armstrong, Distinguished Research Professor in the Department of Sociology at York University. Dr. Armstrong's career has focused on feminist political economy, healthcare and care work, and comparative social policy. She helps us unpack how commodification and privatization have led to Ontario's current long-term care crisis, as well as provides illuminating examples of how these same politico-economic trends have been dealt with abroad.
This podcast is produced in association with The Socialist Project. Learn more and get involved at socialistproject.ca.
You can connect with the podcast on Twitter @theScarletStand or via email at scarletstandardpod@gmail.com.
Outro song: "These Kids We Knew" by Rostam
In this episode we chat about Biden's cancelling of the Keystone XL pipeline and Jason Kenney's hilarious reaction to it, as well as present a socialist perspective on the GameStop stock surge and financial market 'democratization'.
This podcast is produced in association with The Socialist Project. Learn more and get involved at socialistproject.ca.
You can connect with the podcast on Twitter @theScarletStand or via email at scarletstandardpod@gmail.com.
Outro song: "Disco Ulysses (Instrumental)" by Vulfpeck
In this episode we are joined by Natalie Mehra, executive director of the Ontario Health Coalition (OHC). We discuss the ongoing crisis in Ontario's private long term care system, the imminent need for paid sick days, and revisit the question of vaccine distribution. Unsurprisingly, we conclude that Doug Ford's prioritization of business concerns are having disastrous impacts.
On Friday, January 29th the OHC is hosting a mass online protest on Facebook against the Ford administration and their handling of the long term care crisis. For more information, and to participate visits https://www.facebook.com/ontariohealth
To find out more about the OHC and their vital work check out https://www.ontariohealthcoalition.ca/
Check out Natalie and the OHC's recent article for the Socialist Project: https://socialistproject.ca/2021/01/covid19-crisis-situation-ontario/
You can connect with the podcast on Twitter @theScarletStand or via email at scarletstandardpod@gmail.com.
Outro song: "High Hands" by Spacebomb House Band
In this episode we explore Politico's obsession with how Trudeau the Politics Dad grew a quarantine beard. Touching on news topics throughout the year like the Wet’suwet’en protests, CERB rollout, and the BLM uprising, this episode serves as our review of the dumpster fire that has been 2020.
Happy New Year!
To read about the legacy of Leo Panitch please refer to the following pieces: https://socialistproject.ca/2020/12/leo-panitch-and-socialist-project/ https://jacobinmag.com/2020/12/leo-panitch-obituary https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/2020/12/28/rick-salutin-leo-panitchs-anger-at-injustice-never-diminished-nor-his-determination-to-address-it.html
Outro song: "Abattoir Blues" by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
In this episode we discuss what is currently known about Canada's COVID-19 vaccine rollout plans, the privatization & closure of Canada's own vaccine producer Connaught Labs, the potential for electoral blowback from a delayed vaccination schedule, and our general displeasure with the NDP.
This podcast is produced in association with The Socialist Project. Learn more and get involved at socialistproject.ca.
You can connect with the podcast on Twitter @theScarletStand or via email at scarletstandardpod@gmail.com.
Outro song: "Borrowed Time" by Parquet Courts
In this episode we chat about the results of the 2020 US Election, diving into discussion about Biden's depressing win, Trump's legal fights, several of the ballot measures passed on election night, and the future of the left under a Biden administration.
This podcast is produced in association with The Socialist Project. Learn more and get involved at socialistproject.ca/.
You can connect with the podcast on Twitter @theScarletStand or via email at scarletstandardpod@gmail.com.
Note: This episode was recorded on November 8th, 2020.
Outro song: "Beastly" by Vulfpeck
In this episode we speak with Tanner Mirrlees about the dark and underdiscussed world of education technology and the information communication technology (ICT) Industry. We explore the relationship between the EdTech industry and venture capital, the expanding power of the GAFAM (Google-Amazon-Facebook-Apple-Microsoft), and the acceleration of these processes due to COVID-19. We conclude by discussing the impacts of EdTech on the labour movement.
Tanner Mirrlees is a professor in the Communication and Digital Media Studies program at Ontario Tech University. His new book, co-authored with Shahid Alvi is called “EdTech Inc.: Selling, Automating and Globalizing Higher Education in the Digital Age”. Available for purchase here: https://www.routledge.com/EdTech-Inc-Selling-Automating-and-Globalizing-Higher-Education-in-the/Mirrlees-Alvi/p/book/9780367359898
This podcast is produced in association with The Socialist Project. Learn more and get involved at socialistproject.ca.
You can connect with the podcast on Twitter @theScarletStand or via email at scarletstandardpod@gmail.com.
Outro song: "Cry Baby Cry" by Ramsey Lewis
In this episode we speak with Dimitri Lascaris about his experience running for Party Leader of the Green Party of Canada as an eco-socialist. We also delve into eco-socialism's intersections with internationalist foreign policy, the COVID-19 health crisis, and the future of the Canadian left.
Dimitri Lascaris is an activist, author, and former class-action lawyer focused on environmental and human rights law. He sits on the Board of Directors of the Real News Network, and served as the Green Party Justice Critic since 2016. He placed a close second to Annamie Paul in the October 2020 Green Party of Canada Leadership Race.
This podcast is produced in association with The Socialist Project. Learn more and get involved at socialistproject.ca/.
You can connect with the podcast on Twitter @theScarletStand or via email at scarletstandardpod@gmail.com.
Outro song: "Things It Would Have Been Helpful To Know Before the Revolution" by Father John Misty
In this episode we speak with Tyler A. Shipley about his new book 'Canada in The World: Settler Capitalism and the Colonial Imagination'. We dive into the juxtaposition between Canada's performance as a well-intentioned peacekeeping force on the international stage, with its original sin of colonial genocide and its continuing behaviour as a settler colonial power.
Tyler A. Shipley is professor of Culture, Society, and Commerce at the Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning. His new book can be purchased through Fernwood Publishing: https://fernwoodpublishing.ca/book/canada-in-the-world
This podcast is produced in association with The Socialist Project. Learn more and get involved at socialistproject.ca/.
You can connect with the podcast on Twitter @theScarletStand or via email at scarletstandardpod@gmail.com.
Outro song: "Raised Eyebrows" by The Feelies
Welcome to the Scarlet Standard!
We are a podcast focused on Canadian political-economy and Toronto-based political activism from a internationalist socialist perspective. We also host interviews with authors, academics, activists, and organizers on the Left.
This podcast is produced in association with The Socialist Project. Learn more and get involved at https://socialistproject.ca/
You can connect with the podcast on Twitter @theScarletStand or via email at scarletstandardpod@gmail.com.
In this inaugural episode we discuss the legacy of The Christie Pits Riot of August 1933. As the largest riot in Toronto's history, this event stands as a watershed moment in Canadian-Jewish history, and should be regarded as a great act of anti-fascist resistance. Today, echoes of this history can be seen in rising tides of fascist violence, the bizarre relationship between Canadian police and Nazism, and the courageous efforts of protesters in the Black Lives Matter Movement.
We learned a great deal from reading Cyril Levitt & William Shaffir's book 'The Riot at Christie Pits', and we recommend you do the same.
This podcast is produced in association with The Socialist Project. Learn more and get involved at https://socialistproject.ca/.
Please read the Socialist Project's statement on Black Lives Matter here: https://socialistproject.ca/2020/06/all-out-policing-racism-collective-response/.
You can connect with the podcast on Twitter @theScarletStand or via email at scarletstandardpod@gmail.com.
Outro song: "Joe Dimaggio Done It Again" by Billy Bragg & Wilco