Socialist Progressives

appalachiablue

(41,182 posts) Tue Apr 24, 2018, 10:12 PM Apr 2018

New Film American Socialist: The Life and Times of Eugene Victor Debs (2017)

New documentary film by director Yale Strom profiles the formidable life of influential American socialist leader and labor organizer Eugene Debs (1855-1926) who was prominent during the activist Progressive Era, 1900-1920.

Debs helped form the first labor unions in the US, fought for worker's rights, was a member of the Democratic Party early in his career, and co founded the Social Democratic Party of America (1898) and the IWW, the International Workers of the World.

The socialist leader born in Indiana held firm political values and beliefs and was an impressive public orator who ran for president five times. In 1918 Debs' opposition to World War I put him in prison for the second, final time later in life. ~ Featured in the film are award winning author Barbara Ehrenreich, economist Prof. Richard D. Wolff and others.

*UPDATE: 2018 Screenings & Locations: Los Angeles, May 4; San Diego, May 11; so far Cleveland, June 12; Hudson, NY, April 27. SEE End of Article for More Info:
'Yale Strom on His Documentary, 'American Socialist: The Life and Times of Eugene Victor Debs', March 24, 2017
http://theunderemployedlife.com/yale-strom-documentary-american-socialist-life-times-eugene-victor-debs/

Chicago Tribune, 'Meet Bernie Sanders Hero Eugene Debs, A Socialist from the Midwest,' March 4, 2018
http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/movies/ct-eugene-victor-debs-documentary-20180301-story.html

WIKI, Eugene V. Debs
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugene_V._Debs

6 replies

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New Film *American Socialist: The Life and Times of Eugene Victor Debs* (2017) (Original Post) appalachiablue Apr 2018 OP

WEVD in New York City (1927-2001) was created to memorialize Debbs. no_hypocrisy Apr 2018 #1

Didn't know about radio station WEVD est. 1927 the year after Debs passed, appalachiablue Apr 2018 #2

Here's the irony: The (Jewish) Forward Magazine sold WEVD to the ABC Corporation. no_hypocrisy Apr 2018 #5

I saw some of this in the WIKI esp. the sale to ABC. What a loss, and correct appalachiablue Apr 2018 #6

Well known in Chicago history - Deb's rebellion and IWW . Movie was here in March for a run lunasun Apr 2018 #3

Thanks, great to hear. Best to view on large screen in theater if possible. appalachiablue Apr 2018 #4

no_hypocrisy

(46,234 posts)

1. WEVD in New York City (1927-2001) was created to memorialize Debbs.

Reply to appalachiablue (Original post)

Tue Apr 24, 2018, 10:53 PM

Apr 2018

R.I.P. to both.

appalachiablue

(41,182 posts)

2. Didn't know about radio station WEVD est. 1927 the year after Debs passed,

Reply to no_hypocrisy (Reply #1)

Tue Apr 24, 2018, 11:11 PM

Apr 2018

using his initials as call letters. They had an important message and long history with determined supporters in spite of challenges. Things go and they renew sometimes, my hope anyway.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WEVD

no_hypocrisy

(46,234 posts)

5. Here's the irony: The (Jewish) Forward Magazine sold WEVD to the ABC Corporation.

Reply to appalachiablue (Reply #2)

Wed Apr 25, 2018, 06:29 AM

Apr 2018

Not because the station was going broke in 2001. It was actively selling time with 5-6 progressive talk shows including Alan Colmes. It rivaled Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh.

The station was sacrificed because the Magazine was having trouble with profits. So in the name of capitalism, WEVD was sold and off the air on 9/11 when LOCAL coverage of the event was needed.

The format and call letters were changed to the flag station of the newly established WESPN sports radio network.

And BTW, since The Forward and ABC killed WEVD, there has not been a SINGLE progressive radio station, let alone talk show, to replace it on the AM band for 17 years. (Pacifica's WBAI is struggling on FM, but not the same thing as WEVD, a commercial radio station.)