FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 6, 2009



On July 14th, Revolution Books will sponsor a groundbreaking event: "The Ascendancy of Obama ... And the Continued Need for Resistance and Liberation: A Dialogue between Cornel West and Carl Dix." This event will be held at Harlem Stage at Aaron Davis Hall at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, July 14th.

Millions in the US and even around the world celebrated the election of Barack Obama as the end of the Bush regime nightmare of wars for empire, legitimized torture and contempt for international law and human rights. Many also saw it as meaning the US had turned the corner on its long ugly history of brutally subjugating Black people. But Obama has continued the essence of Bush's foreign policy and the oppression of Black people continues unchecked. Now those who envisioned Obama ushering in a period of change are being asked to embrace the continuation of the horrors of imperial America, or at least to remain silent. As Carl Dix has written, "Is having a Black commander in chief enough to get you to enlist in America's wars for empire, to kill people, and maybe get killed yourself, trying to keep America's stranglehold on the world in effect?" [From "Don't Be a Buffalo Soldier!" available at revcom.us]

July 14th promises to be a crackling evening of passionate and penetrating conversation over matters that many are seriously concerned about but have not dared to discuss out loud and in public - and it's time to change that. Cornel West and Carl Dix will break the silence and address from their different philosophical perspectives what the election of Obama really means for people in the US and around the world. And they will exchange over the need for resistance and the prospects for and path to liberation for the oppressed in the US and indeed, for all of humanity.

The international human rights coalition, the Durban Declaration Programme of Action Watch Group [DDPA Watch Group] endorses the event. "Most Americans already recognize our various social structures require reform. The economic, health care and educational systems come immediately to mind; and the judiciary and prison-military-industrial complex have adversely impacted African descendants and Latinos in particular. Public discourse among African Americans especially must be maintained at the highest levels. Whether or not we agree with their respective points of view, the conversation between Dr. Cornel West and Mr. Dix is a unique opportunity to begin the hard work of thinking through these issues within our communities [first.] This important dialog reminds us to stay engaged if we want to create meaningful strategies for change!" emphasized Dowoti Désir, Founder of the DDPA Watch Group.

This special event will be a benefit for Revolution Books in New York City (Revolutionbooksnyc.org) and the Prisoners Revolutionary Literature Fund (prisonersrevolutionaryliteraturefund.org).

Carl Dix is available for interviews.

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For more information, or to schedule an interview with Carl Dix, contact Steve Yip at 866-841-9139 x2670; Cell Phone: 917-868-6007; Email: cornelcarldialogue@gmail.com

About Carl Dix:

CARL DIX is a longtime revolutionary and a founding member of the Revolutionary Communist Party, USA. In 1970 Carl was one of the Fort Lewis 6, six GI's who refused orders to go to Vietnam. He served 2 years in Leavenworth Military Penitentiary for this stand. In 1985 Carl initiated the Draw the Line statement, a powerful condemnation of the bombing of the MOVE house in Philadelphia. In 1996, Carl was a co-founder of the October 22nd Coalition to Stop Police Brutality. In 2006 Carl coordinated the Katrina hearings of the Bush Crimes Commission.

Carl Dix's articles on the Obama campaign and presidency are available at the website of Revolution newspaper, revcom.us, including "Don't Be a Buffalo Soldier!" http://revcom.us/a/150/buffalo_soldiers-en.html] and "Obama's 'Yes We Can' Illusion ... And the Killing Reality for Black People," http://revcom.us/a/141/CD_on_Obama-en.html]

About Cornel West:

CORNEL WEST is one of America's most provocative public intellectuals and has been a champion for racial justice since childhood. His writing, speaking, and teaching weave together the traditions of the black Baptist Church, progressive politics, and jazz. The New York Times has praised his "ferocious moral vision." Dr. West currently teaches at Princeton University.

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Revolution * Books

or Office of Carl Dix

Contact: Steve Yip

Tel: (866) 841-9139 x2670

Cell Phone: 917-868-6007

Email: cornelcarldialogue@gmail.com