"In October 1917 the people of Russia overturned the rule of their despots and began to establish a new society. The founding principles of the Russian Revolution were that the economy should be organized to meet everyone's needs, not to secure profits; democracy should be incorporated in the workplace, as well as in the government; cooperation should replace competition as the basis of human relations; and minorities should gain self-determination. 100 years later there are many important lessons that we can learn from the successes and failures of those days that shook the world. As The Who asked, must the old boss be replaced by a new boss? Can socialism be built in one country? Is there an alternative to professionalization and its attendant inequality? Is hierarchy the natural order of things? Can we develop a society in which it is "possible for me to do one thing today and another tomorrow, to hunt in the morning, fish in the afternoon, rear cattle in the evening, criticise after dinner, just as I have a mind, without ever becoming hunter, fisherman, herdsman or critic?" A series of speakers will be joining us over the next several weeks to discuss what we can learn from the Russian Revolution concerning social work and our quest for social justice.
- On October 30, 2017 at 6:00PM in the auditorium, Mark Dudzic, the National Coordinator of Labor for a Single Payer and a long-time union organizer, will speak on the topic of "Lessons of October for Health and Health Care" - On November 6, 2017 at noon in the auditorium, Bob Seidel of the Revolutionary Workers Group will offer an introduction to the Russian Revolution, followed by Professor Michael Reisch speaking on "Lessons of October for Social Work and Social Welfare" - On November 7, 2017 at 6:00PM in the auditorium, Professor William Mello of the Indiana University School of Social Work, Department of Labor Studies, will reflect on "Lessons from October for Organizing against Oppression in a Diverse and Divided Society” Light refreshments will be available outside the auditorium prior to the events, and the audience will have an opportunity to engage with the speakers. All are welcome to attend - including members of the University and the broader community." Please send questions to Jeff Singer at jeff.singer@ssw.umaryland.edu or Adam Schneider at aschneider@ssw.umaryland.edu. We look forward to being with you for this edifying series.