Geographies of Racial Capitalism with Ruth Wilson Gilmore – An Antipode Foundation film

Summary

In this insightful discussion, Ruth Wilson Gilmore explores the intricate ties between slavery, race, and capitalism. She emphasizes the global nature of racial capitalism and the necessity for an international approach to address contemporary issues like mass incarceration. Gilmore, a prominent scholar on the prison industrial complex, argues that all forms of capitalism are inherently racial, perpetuating inequality and hierarchy. She calls for the abolition of prisons as part of the broader struggle against racial capitalism, highlighting the importance of place-based liberation struggles and the power of solidarity in fostering radical change.

Takeaways

• 🌐 The relationship between slavery, race, and labor is complex and should not be oversimplified, yet it's crucial for understanding current societal issues like mass incarceration.
• 🔗 Ruth Wilson Gilmore discusses the concept of racial capitalism, which posits that all forms of capitalism are inherently racialized and perpetuate inequality.
• 🌱 To dismantle racism, one must also dismantle capitalism, as the two are deeply intertwined from the inception of capitalism.
• 🌍 A global perspective is necessary to address the local manifestations of racial capitalism and mass incarceration, given the international nature of these issues.
• 🏛 The script touches on the historical amnesia surrounding monuments and their ties to fascism and apartheid, urging a critical examination of their meanings.
• 📚 The script emphasizes the importance of being a good geographer, which involves not just observing but also challenging one's understanding of the world.
• 🏛️ The script critiques the notion of 'discovery' and its implications in the context of colonialism and the shaping of the modern world.
• 🏢 The prison industrial complex is seen as a mechanism for managing surplus labor and perpetuating racial hierarchies through criminalization.
• 🏡 The script highlights the importance of place-based struggles for liberation, such as the fight against displacement and for community preservation in Amadora, Portugal.
• 🎓 The concept of 'pop-up universities' is introduced as a form of community education and organizing that fosters deep debate and solidarity among participants.

Q & A

What is the relationship between slavery, race, and freedom according to the speaker?

The speaker suggests that the relationship between slavery, race, and freedom is complex and cannot be oversimplified. It's important to understand this relationship to address current issues such as mass incarceration.

What is the definition of racial capitalism as presented in the script?

Racial capitalism is described as an inherent aspect of all capitalism, where the owners of the means of production have historically differentiated themselves from those whose labor they exploit through racial practices.

Why is it impossible to undo racism without undoing capitalism, as per the speaker?

The speaker argues that capitalism inherently depends on racial practices and hierarchy, and thus, to eliminate racism, one must also dismantle the capitalist system that perpetuates it.

What does the speaker mean by 'being a good geographer'?

Being a good geographer, according to the speaker, involves observing and challenging one's own descriptions and understanding of what is seen, which is politically significant in understanding how things work.

Why does the speaker discuss the history of slavery in Europe?

The speaker discusses European slavery to emphasize that the foundations of racial capitalism and modern social organization were shaped by events within Europe, not just by interactions between Europeans and Africans.

What is the speaker's expertise and how does it relate to the prison industrial complex?

The speaker's expertise lies in the expansion of criminalization and incarceration in the United States and the capitalist world. They study why and how this expansion has occurred and explore ways to reverse it.

How does the speaker view the role of prisons in society?

The speaker views prisons as a means to concentrate surplus labor and a tool used by local elites to maintain power through the continuous production of criminals.

What is the connection between the prison industrial complex and historical slavery, according to the script?

The connection lies in the perpetuation of racial order and hierarchy, which were foundational to the United States and continue to be reproduced through the prison industrial complex.

What does the speaker mean by 'abolition geography'?

Abolition geography refers to the idea that the struggle for liberation is place-based and specific to the needs and struggles of people in their local context.

How do the people of Colvin Amadora resist the threat of losing their community?

The people of Colvin Amadora organize themselves to save their houses and community, and engage in study groups to understand the broader historical and political contexts that threaten their homes.

What is a 'pop-up university' as mentioned in the script?

A 'pop-up university' is a community-driven institution where people gather to discuss and debate various topics, fostering intellectual and political engagement.