***2005 Midwest Socialist Conference***

WAR, POVERTY, RACISM
TIME FOR AN ALTERNATIVE!

10am, Saturday, November 5 * Chicago, Illinois

A new opposition is being born. In Washington, D.C., hundreds of thousands turned out in the biggest anti-war demonstration since the start of the Iraq war. The anger and outrage against Bush's policies at home and abroad was summed-up in the slogans, "Make Levees Not War" and "No Iraqis Left Me on a Rooftop to Die."

Millions of people are asking fundamental questions about, in Time Magazine's words, "system failure." The free market at home and abroad has produced savage inequalities. Instead of addressing these, the U.S. government has imposed free trade policies that have further impoverished the world's workers and poor and prosecuted vicious attacks on our living standards here at home. To back up its reactionary economic agenda, Bush has diverted hundreds of billions of dollars to wars and occupations that have left a trail of devastation in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Haiti.

With increasing urgency, a new generation of activists is looking
for an alternative that can explain the crisis in our world and help galvanize a fight for a better society. This year's Midwest
Socialist Conference, "War, Racism, and Poverty: Time for an
Alternative," addresses today's burning issues, how to fight for
immediate reforms, and organize for a new society—a socialist
society built to meet human needs from New Orleans to Baghdad.

FULL PRELIMINARY SCHEDULE

10am-11am Registration/Welcome

11am-12:30pm Workshops

U.S. Imperialism Today: Is the Bush Doctrine Finished?

Hundreds of thousands of antiwar protesters turn out as George W. Bush's opinion polls drop. Diplomacy is offered in place of war on Axis of Evil member North Korea. The European Union is forced to retreat from its U.S.-backed threats to get tough on the nuclear program of another member of the "axis," Iran. Is the Bush Doctrine of pre emptive warfare finished? And can the antiwar movement prevail in getting the U.S. out of Iraq? Come to this workshop to discuss the future of the Bush Doctrine and the struggle against U.S. imperialism.

Hidden from History: The Fighting Tradition of U.S. Workers

Workers in the U.S. have a rich history of resistance from the 19th century to the presents--of fighting back and achieving gains previously thought unthinkable. But that history remains largely hidden. This workshop brings that history to light and reveals its lessons for today.

Introduction to the ISO

The International Socialist Organization is dedicated to fighting
for a world free of all exploitation, racism and sexual oppression, a society whose productive resources are democratically owned and controlled by the working-class majority, and where human need replaces capitalist greed. This workshop will provide an introduction to the politics and practices of the ISO and provide lots of time for questions, disagreements and discussion for those who are new to the group or interested in joining.

Abortion Rights and the Fight for Women's Liberation

Women's right to abortion has been separated from the struggle for women's liberation in recent years. Ever since the Roe v. Wade decision made it legal for women to have abortions in 1973, laws have been passed that restrict women, especially the young and poor, from having access to an abortion. Nicole Colson gives a history of the struggles that won abortion rights and wider freedoms for women and argue what we need to do today to save abortion rights and fight for the true liberation of all women.

Revolutionary Ideas of Karl Marx

Karl Marx and Frederick Engels wrote the Communist Manifesto over 150 years ago. Since those days there has been no shortage of people to argue that his ideas about how capitalism really works, and about how workers could overthrow capitalism and replace it with a truly democratic society--are outdated. But again and again, Marx's ideas shed needed light on the system and struggles of today. This talk aims at looking at the revolutionary ideas of Karl Marx--and what they mean for socialists and activists today.

No Human Being is Illegal: The Fight for Immigrant Rights

From the Minutemen's vigilante attacks on immigrants--to the
governors of border states "declaring a state of emergency" on the borders immigrants are being scapegoated by both politians and right-wing thugs. Where does this war on immigrants come from and what can be done to build a united movement to take on the scapegoaters--both in office and on the streets? Bridget Broederick and Orlando Sepuleveda explain.

12:30-2:00pm Lunch Break

2:00-3:30pm Workshops

Iraq for Iraqis: Why We Defend the Right to Resist

Many who oppose the Iraq War are horrified by the religious ideas and military actions of the resistance to U.S. forces. It is argued that if American forces were to pull out now, not only would it leave behind a civil war but right-wing religious fanatics would take over. This talk will discuss the reality behind the media myths about the "insurgents" as well as discuss the politics of self-determination for an occupied people.

Army of None: Organizing Against Military Recruitment

A new student movement against military recruitment has grown--at colleges and high schools across the U.S.--at the same time as the military has failed repeatedly to meet its recruitment goals. This student-led workshop aims to share experiences and strategies in the fight against military recruitment--in this key struggle against the occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan.

Is Socialism Against Human Nature?

People who want to end the exploitation, oppression, poverty and war characteristic of modern capitalist society are regularly told that fundamental change is impossible because of human nature. Human nature is also said to make socialism impossible. Human beings, it is claimed, are naturally selfish, competitive and aggressive. But is there any evidence that these familiar claims about human nature are actually true? Sarah Macaraeg exposes the truth about these claims and makes the case that socialism is not only possible, but necessary.

Socialism from Below or Socialism from Above: Marxism vs. Stalinism

Generations of Americans have been raised on the notion that
socialism leads to Stalinist gulags, gray homogeneity and
authoritarianism. But the real Marxist tradition of workers' power
from below is quite the opposite. Elizabeth Lalasz will provide a
historical and theoretical challenge to Stalinism and resurrect the democratic Marxist tradition.

System Failure: Why Capitalism Doesn't Work

The greed and inequality of our society is often explained as an
expression of indifferent and arrogant leaders. But the fact that
millions starve and go homeless, while others have feasts and
mansions is not simply the outcome of selfishness, but the results of a system based on profit. Adam Turl will explain the basic economics of capitalism and what Marxists challenge is a humane and realistic alternative.

Race and Class Exposed: How Can We Stop Oppression?

Hurricane Katrina exposed the depths of racism and poverty in
America. Forty years after the Civil Rights Act and the War on
Poverty, inequality is as stark and severe as ever. Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor will explain why and how race and class are used, who benefits from them and how to mount a challenge to a system that requires the immiseration of many in order for a minority to luxuriate and rule.

3:30-4:15 Break

4:15-5:45pm Workshops

What do Socialists Mean By Revolution?

When socialists talk about the need for revolution to end oppression and exploitation once and for all, we're often accused of being unrealistic and utopian. But what do socialists really mean by revolution? This workshop aims to answer those questions about socialism and revolution.

Soldiers Rebellions: From Vietnam to Iraq

Many returning veterans and military families of soldiers in Iraq
have joined the ranks of the antiwar movement, echoing the mass GI antiwar struggle of the 1960s that finally helped put an end to the Vietnam War. While today's movement is nowhere near the level of the Vietnam soldiers' revolt--the parallels and lessons from that revolt are key to antiwar activists today.

The Fire Last Time: Student Movements of the 1960s

The 1960s saw a massive wave of struggle among students across the U.S.--around the Vietnam War but other struggles as well. The activists who began organizing against the war in Vietnam had been involved in, or influenced by, several other struggles: the Black struggle for civil rights in the U.S. South; the movement against the proliferation of nuclear weapons; protests against the anticommunist witch-hunts of the 1950s; and the struggle for free speech centered on the University of California-Berkeley campus. Joe Allen will explain what the history of the 1960s student movements means for us today.

Israel: The Hijack State

The State of Israel is held together by a series of myths. False
notions dominate about its rationale as a response to European anti-Semitism and outright lies are perpetuated to justify its repression and displacement of the Palestinian people. Sherry Wolf will take on those myths and present an argument for why all those who hate oppression must champion the cause of Palestinian liberation and oppose the Zionist mythology

Chavez, Venezuela and the Fight for Socialism

Venezuela's president, Hugo Chavez promises that this country is creating "21st Century Socialism." Billions from Venezuela's oil
profits have been poured into social problems and in some firms
workers elect their own managers. Bob Quellos—who attended the World Youth Summit in Venezuela—will address the lessons and challenges posed by Venezuela for all those seeking an end to exploitation and oppression.

Leninism: Myth and Fact

From the prevailing notion that Lenin was a megalomaniac who waged a coup in 1917 to the idea that he demanded unswerving obedience to a line from an autocratic party machine, Lenin's popular legacy is not favorable or accurate. This talk will take on those myths and provide a historical and political defense of his ideas and practices.

5:45-6:30pm Break

6:30-8:30pm Plenary Session

War, Racism, Poverty: Organizing against the Wars at Home and Abroad

More information will be released on speakers for the plenary
session shortly.

8:30pm Post Conference Party and Buffet Dinner ($10) at Decima Musa

Decima Musa is located at 1901 S. Loomis in Pilsen near the
conference location at the University of Illinois-Chicago. There is
a $10 charge for the buffet that Decima Musa will be providing which can be paid at the conference registration table.

CONFERENCE LOCATION

University of Illinois-Chicago
750 S. Halsted
Chicago, Illinois

REGISTRATION

Registration is $5. To pre-register contact your nearest ISO branch or call 773-551-5780 or e-mail Chicago_socialists (at) yahoo.com. Registration begins at 10am on the day of the conference.

CHILD CARE

Free child-care is available on request, but please let us know
ahead of time. Please e-mail Chicago_socialists (at) yahoo.com or call 773-551-5780 and let us know the number of children, their ages and any special needs.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Call 773-551-5780 or e-mail Chicago_socialists (at) yahoo.com. The 2005 Midwest Socialist Conference is sponsored by the International Socialist Organization, which has branches in Chicago and around the Midwest. For more information on the ISO please visit our website, www.internationalsocialist.org.

The ISO publishes the weekly newspaper, Socialist Worker, which is available online at www.socialistworker.org