Podcast

Steve Babson, THE FORGOTTEN POPULISTS & Lesléa Newman, ALWAYS MATT: A Tribute to Matthew Shepard

Champions of Democracy: The Populist Movement of the 1890s

Join us as we explore the transformative impact of the Populist movement during the 1890s.

In this episode, we delve into the story of hard-pressed farmers and workers who sparked a movement that reshaped the nation’s political landscape. In his book The Forgotten Populists:When Farmers Turned Left to Save Democracy, author Steve Babson reveals the historical roots of progressive change and the relevance of this movement to contemporary struggles against corporate profiteering and right-wing authoritarians.

About The Author

Steve Babson is a labor educator and union activist. He’s published seven books, including Working Detroit: The Making of a Union TownLean Work: Empowerment and Exploitation in the Global Auto Industry; and The Color of Law: Ernie Goodman and the Struggle for Labor and Civil Rights in Detroit.

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The Enduring Legacy of Matthew Shepard

Matt Shepard was murdered 25 years ago. His death was a watershed moment for LGBTQ rights. But while those rights have undoubtedly seen important victories in the last quarter century, now they are under the assault of a fierce backlash from rightwing hate mongers.

A gay icon herself after the enormous success of her children’s book Heather Has Two Mommies, Newman wants her new book about Matt Shepard, Always Matt, to remind readers of the person Shepard was — someone who just wanted to “make the world a better place, a kinder place, a peaceful place for everyone.”

About The Author

Lesléa Newman is the author of numerous books. In addition to Heather Has Two Mommies, they include October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard; A Letter to Harvey Milk; and Sparkle Boy.