Cornel West Interviews Bob
Avakian on PRI Smiley & West radio, October 2012
Bob Avakian Interview by
Michael Slate — Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5
Video Advertising the March 16th Premiere at Magic Johnson AMC, New York City
BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS!
Bob Avakian Live
"Those this system has cast off, those it has treated as less than human, can be the backbone and driving force of a fight not only to end their own oppression, but to finally end all oppression, and emancipate all of humanity."
—From the film
More about this film
In the fall of 2012, Bob Avakian gave a series of talks in different cities. This is a film of one of those talks.
For showings, click here. Updated: July 4, 2014
Buy the DVD.
“Yes, this is a film, but that is not its
essence. This is a daring, substantive,
scientific summoning to revolution. 6+ hours
that can change how you see the world and what you
do with the rest of your life. Is this
hype? No.”
—From one of the filmmakers
See clip "What to the slave is your fourth of July? From the past to the present." from Revolution: Why It's Necessary, Why It's Possible, What It's All About, a Film of a Talk by Bob Avakian in 2003
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More about this film
"My dear brother Bob Avakian... is the Chairman of the Revolutionary Communist Party.... He is one of the few coming out of the 60's who never sold out, he never caved in, he never gave up, held on to his forging of a rigorous, scientific analysis of the objective realities that are driven by a revolutionary love – because he has such a deep love for poor people, oppressed people, all around the world. Whether you agree or disagree with our brother, one thing you cannot deny: that he is the real thing. No doubt about it."
–Cornel West, introducing his
interview with Bob Avakian on the
Smiley & West radio show
(October 5, 2012)
“Yes, this is a film, but that is not its essence. This is a daring, substantive, scientific summoning to revolution. 6+ hours that can change how you see the world and what you do with the rest of your life. Is this hype? No.”
—From one of the filmmakers
Why Go to This Film Premiere?
Why go to this film premiere? Simply: It's by far the most important thing people could be doing that day–it's dealing with the most important thing there could be–because it's about the real possibility of bringing into being a radically different world, where all this madness, all the oppression and injustice, all the abuse and degradation that is so much a part of life now, would be done away with. If anybody can think of anything more important than that–let's hear it!
Michael Slate’s five-part radio interview with Bob Avakian is online now. The interview ranges widely over the questions that confront humanity in this world of sweatshops, slums, and environmental emergency. But permeating everything in it is the most compelling case that the nothing short of revolution can deal with the immense and unnecessary suffering people face on this planet.
See more about BA and the new synthesis of communism here.
In the fall of 2012, Bob Avakian gave a series of talks in different cities. This is a film of one of those talks.
The following article was published before the premiere of this film.
Clear
the Day!
Come Together with Others Around the Country
See the Film Premiere of…
BA Speaks:
REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS!
On this planet today, there are no questions that are more important—and no answers that are more thoroughgoing—than what is spoken to in BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS! And there is no person more filled with contempt for the powers-that-be and the horrific order they trumpet and enforce—nor more filled with scientific confidence in the potential of masses of people to change all that—than Bob Avakian, the Chairman of the Revolutionary Communist Party, USA.
It is no exaggeration to say that if humanity is going to fight its way out of this horrific nightmare and create a world where human beings can rise to their full potential and truly flourish, it will be because of the work and leadership of Bob Avakian. And it will be because people—beginning with YOU—get into this work, get with this leadership, and fight for others to do the same.
Right now:
If you hate the unending insults and crushing horrors heaped on oppressed people everywhere—from mass incarceration to the global epidemic of rape, from the ravages of imperialist wars to the rise of reactionary fundamentalisms, from the destruction of the environment to the putrid, selfish, degrading culture—but you wonder where all this comes from and if it could ever change, YOU NEED TO SEE BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS!
If you wish revolution were possible but wonder if “people are too messed up, the system is too powerful, and the revolutionary forces are too weak,” YOU NEED TO HEAR BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS! so you can find out about how there is a strategy and the necessary leadership to transform this situation, to win a real revolution when the conditions for that emerge, and what people need to do today to hasten and prepare for that time.
If you yearn for some kind of fundamental change but aren’t sure that revolution—especially communist revolution—is desirable or “could work”... if you’ve been bombarded with the LIE that all of this suffering is owing to some unchanging and unchangeable “human nature” and the LIE that the genuine communist revolutions have been failures, YOU NEED TO EXPERIENCE BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS! where you will hear why nothing could be further from the truth.
If you have ever dreamed of a better world... even more, if you have never dreamed of a better world—not because you don’t hate the horrors of this world but because you have been deprived of the truth about real revolution and the real alternative—YOU NEED TO BUY YOUR TICKET to BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS! to have your sights lifted and your horizons expanded, not with some fairy tale of “utopia” or some unrealistic promise of reforms, but by the vision and plan for a real and viable socialist society that people would actually want to live in and that is on the road to the emancipation of all humanity.
MOST OF ALL: If you refuse to accept that this is the “best of all possible worlds”... if you refuse to keep your head down and let this system deprive you and countless others not only of a decent life but of the tremendous and uplifting role you could play in the fight to radically change everything... if you want THE TRUTH—not the “easy answers” (or, better put, the comfortable lies and rationalizations about how none of this can ever fundamentally change)... if you want your life to be about something that really matters, not for your own personal advancement, but for the emancipation of human beings everywhere across this planet—YOU NEED TO BUY YOUR TICKET to BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS!
If you care about all this, but “don’t know enough” about BA or “don’t know enough” about communism and revolution, that is not a reason to stay away—that is a REASON for YOU TO BUY YOUR TICKET to BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS!, so you can come and learn together with others from the deepest answers there are.
So, on March 16 in NYC, LA and Chicago and March 17 in SF:
Again, clear the day. Bring along your closest friends, the ones you talk about serious things with—to come together with hundreds of others in theaters across the country to hear a six and a half hour “daring, substantive, scientific summoning to revolution. 6+ hours that can change how you see the world and what you do with the rest of your life” (as one of the filmmakers put it).
If you are not in a city with one of these premieres, get in a car—even better, fill a car—and get to one; this is not to be missed.
Beginning now, start digging deeper into the works of BA (available at revcom.us) so that you are ready to get the most out of the film and contribute everything you can coming out of it.
Finally, join with others in your area to make sure that word of this film becomes a very big deal throughout society so that the impact of all of this—both the societal impact of these premieres and even more the transformative impact on the hundreds who will gather together to watch the film and then go back into the world to change it—will mark a meaningful leap in the forging of a real movement for revolution. All this can make a world of difference in a world that needs nothing more urgently than to be radically different.
Crenshaw, south of Stocker, in Los Angeles. Photo: Special to Revolution
Film Showings
Updated July 4, 2014
Send in date/time, location,
and other relevant info for other public film
showings in your area
to revolution.reports@yahoo.com
so it can be posted here.
Showings, Locations and Times
New York City
July 10, Thursday, 7 pm
Viewing and discussion of sections from the film BA Speaks: REVOLUTION–NOTHING LESS! This week: "The USA: Founded on Slavery & Genocide." Part of a series of twice a month screenings/discussions. At Revolution Books, 146 W. 26th Street, NYC. For info: 212-691-3345.
Check revolutionbooksnyc.org
July 24, Thursday, 7 pm
Viewing and discussion of sections from the film BA Speaks: REVOLUTION–NOTHING LESS! This week: "The Revolutionary Potential of Those Most Oppressed Requires Scientific Leadership" Part of a series of twice a month screenings/discussions. At Revolution Books, 146 W. 26th Street, NYC. For info: 212-691-3345.
Check revolutionbooksnyc.org
Los Angeles
July 17, Thursday, 7:30 pm
Screening
and discussion of a chapter from BA Speaks:
REVOLUTION–NOTHING LESS! Every first and third Thursday, screenings and discussions of excerpts from the film at Revolution Books, 5726 Hollywood Blvd. For info: 323-463-3500.
Check revolutionbooksla.blogspot.com
San Francisco Bay Area
July 10, Thursday, 7 pm
Continuing a bi-monthly series of discussions of chapters from BA Speaks: REVOLUTION–NOTHING LESS! View and discuss "A Radically Different and Far Better World Is Possible," a section from the first chapter of disc 2. At Revolution Books, Berkeley, 2425 Channing Way (near Telegraph Avenue), Berkeley. For info: 510-848-1196.
Check revolutionbooks.org
Cleveland
July 10, Thursday, 7 pm
Screening and discussion of excerpt from BA Speaks: REVOLUTION–NOTHING LESS! This time: "Why Things Are the Way They Are ...They Have Not Always Been This Way... They Can Be Radically Changed." Continuation of a series of screenings/discussions held on the second and fourth Thursdays throughout the summer. At Revolution Books, 2804 Mayfield Rd. (at Coventry), Cleveland Heights. For info: 216-932-2543.
Check revbookscle.org
Atlanta
July 6, Sunday, 4 pm
Weekly series of screenings and discussions of chapters from BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS! This week, the excerpt and discussion will be on "Why Things Are The Way They Are...They Have Not Always Been This Way...They Can Be Radically Changed," a section from the third chapter of disc 1. At Little 5 Points Arts and Community Center, top floor room #202 (same bldg. as WRFG radio and Horizon Theatre), 1083 Austin Avenue NE @ Euclid Avenue, Atlanta. For info: 770-861-3339.
Check rbo-atlanta.blogspot.com
Houston
July 10, Thursday, 7:00-8:30 pm
Weekly discussion of articles from Revolution newspaper and screenings and discussions of excerpts of chapters from BA Speaks: REVOLUTION–NOTHING LESS! At Té House of Tea, 1927 Fairview @ Woodhead, in the Montrose. Please call 832-865-0408 for weekly topics, more information, or any changes in time or location.
Check RevolutionHtown2.blogspot.com
Buy the DVD
Updated August 8, 2015
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BA Speaks:
REVOLUTION—
NOTHING LESS!
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What People Are Saying About BA and This Film
Updated April 15, 2013
Feel free to print or email these for promotion of the film.
In the fall of 2012, Bob Avakian gave a series of talks in different cities and BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS! is a film of one of these talks. Revolution newspaper encourages people who had the chance to see Bob Avakian speak live, or who have seen the film at the premieres or elsewhere, to actively talk with as many people as possible about that experience. And to encourage people to see the film.
Why
Non-Communists (You and I) Should See the Film
BA Speaks: Revolution—NOTHING LESS!
March 9, 2013
Here's what I have to say. Feel free to use it.
I have just seen the first two hours, of six, of BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS! It was like plunging into a very blue, very icy pool. I got out shivering, sad, angry, and very worried. About my life and all of our lives.
The Film Shows BA's "Love for the Masses"
April 15, 2013
I have already read the book, "BAsics" by Bob Avakian and enjoyed it. I also enjoy Revolution the publication. But the film, "Revolution, Nothing Less" actually really shows Bob's love for the masses.
Why People Should Come Out to BA Speaks: REVOLUTION— NOTHING LESS
March 9, 2013
From a conscious young Black man in Chicago:
"Bob is like a Black leader but he is bigger than that" he is an emancipator for everybody.
When I say "Bob's like a Black Leader" it's because most of our leaders stood up against what's wrong and tried to make a change in our community—and that's what he do—but not just for our community, for the whole world.
"I told her of my own experience of seeing the rough cut of this talk and how it changed the way I saw the world…"
March 9, 2013
Letter from a reader:
A young Latina woman and her friend were standing around and we went up to them. Gave them a palm card (of the film) and described what it was about, and I asked her, "So, what do you think about revolution?" And she said, "I don't know, I don't really care, I just go with the flow." I said, "Well you shouldn't just go with the flow, you should care cuz there is so much fucked up stuff going on." She said "Well, like what?"
From a Spanish speaking supporter and sustainer
March 9, 2013
I've been a witness of a BA's talk that only could be described as spectacular and much needed today. In it there are many valuable things for discussion and it poses impressive objectives that deserve the effort to get this project of the BA's movie off the ground. All this effort yearns for giving voice and inspires the possibility of a radically different world from the exasperating nightmare in which many live today....
"I hereby recommend this docu/film as a must see"
March 9, 2013
From Manager of a Pan African bookstore, Chicago
The down-pressed peoples of the World needs and are crying out for Revolution—Nothing less! Comrade Bob Avakian painstakingly outlines in a simple, clear and forward way, the tactics and strategy of how revolution can be made and maintained within the borders of the United Snakes of America. He speaks with much courage and determination about the serious need for revolution and the crucial importance for it to be fuelled by revolutionary theory and the revolutionary science of Marxism Leninism-Mao Tsetung Thought, so as to bring about a more humane understanding of society....
"Bob Avakian Articulates What the Problems Are and a Plan for Changing Them"
March 9, 2013
From Nancy Van Ness, American Creative Dance
Bob Avakian has mastered the art of communicating complex ideas so that anyone can understand them....
"It changed the way I looked at everything"
March 9, 2013
From a young Latina:
As a person who has seen the rough cut of this film, I think it's very important for everyone, especially young people from the hood to see this because BA talks about what they go through and he has a solution to all the oppression.
From Harlem
March 9, 2013
Things do not have to be the way they are! You should go listen to what Bob Avakian has to tell you. I gravitated to this message from reading BAsics. BA speaks with great passion about the horrors of the world, but he says IT DOES NOT HAVE TO LIKE THIS. You can't say it any plainer. The young people in particular should see BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS!
"You need to experience this for yourself and get moved like I did"
March 9, 2013
From an African-American Grandmother and Freedom Fighter
At the fall presentation that I attended, Bob Avakian was speaking to me.
My testimony is reflective of my experience of finally meeting someone who was able to see me as a visible, viable force of fury who has since become an inextricable part of the movement for revolution.
"After seeing and hearing BA's talk I laid awake and thought long and hard…"
March 10, 2013
From an activist and organizer
After seeing and hearing BA's talk I laid awake and thought long and hard about my life and what it was going to be about from here on out. After all I have been an activist and organizer trying to mobilize people to resist and oppose the crimes of the U.S. and while resistance is critical it will go nowhere unless people think about what's next...what would really bring to an end to murderous wars for empire, the oppression of woman and minorities, and the destruction of the environment?
Professor of history and scholar of the Chinese revolution
March 8, 2013
BA is a great revolutionary leader in today's world who has a clear understanding about what are the underlying problems of our world. He has been fighting for the goal of creating a world where there is no oppression and exploitation all his life. People who are interested in building a better future for humanity will benefit from listening to what he has to say.
500 Years from Now…
March 9, 2013
From a former Peace Corps volunteer and environmental activist
Five hundred years from now, about the same amount of time that has elapsed since Columbus invaded what his class of exploiters call the "New World" and began a genocide of its native peoples, future humans, if there are still any, will look back on this time—our time—as one of the most critical in human history. Our planet is now literally teetering on the brink of environmental catastrophe, yet our so-called "leaders," of this capitalist-imperialist system we all live under, do nothing.
Comments from Rev. Robert B. Coleman on BA
March 12, 2013
My conversation with Bob Avakian and my reading of his strategic plans for revolution have been challenging to say the least. To begin the conversation with focused attention on the poor and the marginalized fits my religious and biblical sensibilities. To give voice to the voiceless; to empower the powerless… these things speak to my heart as an ordained pastor and theologian. We may diverge on the various strategies employed to achieve a more just society. We may be identified by our disconnect when it comes to religion in general and Christianity in particular. But, there is great benefit in engaging in the dialogue, listening to Avakian's critique and proposal for change, and discerning your place in the ordering of society as we move into the twenty-first century. Go, listen and learn. Engage in the dialogue and critical synthesis yet unfolding. The uncritical support of any public figure or philosophy is folly. And the test of effective strategy shall not come without intense interaction and dialogue.
Rev. Robert B. Coleman
Chief Program Minister and
Minister of Social Justice
The Riverside Church in the City of New York
From a musician
March 24, 2013
After seeing the film BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS, I am much more in the know that there will be no change under this system of oppression, no real future for the youth, and all the horrors of this nation and the world will go on until we all stop kidding ourselves by the notion that our government is such the superpower that they can't be defeated or that we are so powerless to just let all these outrages go on. BA was very much on point about the injustices of our youth, particularly black and brown youth that ends up entangled in our criminal (in)justice system, and how much we need to stop with blaming the youth for their plight and for why they are criminalized under this exploitive system.
"Be a new generation that is standing up"
March 9, 2013
From a Black man in Harlem
I'm buying a ticket for a young person who might need help getting to BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS. I want this ticket to go to a young person who is not a carbon copy of what this society wants the youth to be. Someone who wants a different future for this world. BA is one person who has the vision and the program for another world. Go hear BA and don't be a carbon copy. Be a new generation that is standing up against what keeps us enslaved.
From an Iranian Communist Living in the U.S.
March 13, 2013
As an Iranian communist who was involved in the 1979 revolution in Iran, I felt deep into my flesh and bones when I heard BA speak about “Revolution – Nothing Less!” The understanding he brings out in this talk, the lessons he shares, are lessons paid for in blood by thousands of revolutionaries and communists in Iran and around the world. Based on our experience in Iran, and what has happened to communist/Maoist forces in Peru as well as Nepal, people (communists and non-communists) who are seriously thinking about radical changes in the US should come to see the film of this talk. What BA says is based on objective reality and a summation of experience, including shortcomings, of communists all over the world. As comrade BA said, “Revolution is nothing to play with!” People who are serious should approach the revolution as scientists who want to change society based on a scientific approach. Sometimes revolutionaries and communists have not been prepared for a revolutionary situation. If you want to be prepared for a time when it might be possible to make a revolution, you should come listen to BA…
—An Iranian communist living in the US and fighting for the New Synthesis of BA
From
Debra Sweet:
Invitation to Attend the premiere of BA
Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS
March 13, 2013
My personal invite to you is based on what’s possible, and necessary, and what’s true.
Often, people ask me why I haven’t quit trying, in discouragement, to change the world, or even to just stop the crimes of the US government through a mass movement of people, as supporters of World Can’t Wait are working on. The challenges are obvious, and I am aware of how rare – much too rare — it is to refuse to give in.
From Three People in NYC
March 12, 2013
White
guy in his twenties who saw BA speak this past
fall:
"I'll be at the Magic Johnson Theater on March
16th because in this day and age its rare to
hear a man speak the truth and I'm not going to
miss an opportunity to do so."
***
A Black man in his early thirties who said
he's been stopped and frisked by police 30
times in a year
"I just bought a ticket to see BA speak, I'm
really interested in what he has to say, ya
know, there's a need for revolution, it won't
hurt for me to buy a ticket and see this man's
perspective and see where he's coming from. Look
like he's really into mind the community where I
come from, and he really cares for the masses of
humans around the world. Thank you."
***
A college student, young Black woman, who
bought her ticket:
"I encourage you to see the screening of Bob
Avakian's REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS
because I am inspired to hear about someone who
thinks that they know how we can have a
revolution, change capitalism, change the
societal constructs in which we live today. I'm
very curious to understand why he believes there
are steps to reforming and changing society, and
I think it's just a very inspirational and a
motivational tool to help encourage people to
ban together, fight against societal norms and
constructs and make a change and make a
difference, starting with this generation, so
that's my little piece, I hope you go, come out
and see it!"
I am destined to be at a place to see the new documentary that Bob Avakian has coming out in 2013 - Hope to see you at the film.
March 13, 2013
A Caribbean music DJ on a Houston radio show was inspired to put out a call for people to see BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS!, after listening to the Cornel West/BA interview.
Above
file is .wmv format.
Also viewable as .mp4 file.
"6 plus hours can impact 6+ billion lives"
From a young man in high school in the SF Bay Area who has watched the rough-cut of BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS!
March 10, 2013
What stood out to you?
"When BA gets into pornography, the whole thing about porn how it really degrades women. When you get into that industry—if there's no job and you're in a desperate situation you end up getting into that because you're desperate to make ends meet. Also, this country makes clear—BA talks about the culture of patriarchy promoted for so long it's hard to know how far it goes back. When I was introduced to BA, I understood that patriarchy going on, but he gave more clear light in simple manner how it's going on in this country and how we need to bring an end to it. He makes it visual—if someone didn't know anything about what patriarchy is, he makes a very clear understanding in five minutes and you get an understanding.
Dr. Ulysses Crockett, Dean of Instruction, Carlton R. Innis, III, Community Law School, Oakland
April 15, 2013
The film was wonderful and every segment was important. The length was necessary because Bob Avakian doesn't always get the opportunity to speak to the people in the audience. We have to do outreach to those unfamiliar with what Bob Avakian was talking about since there's the fascist control of the media, which makes many people brainwashed.
Warrior Woman for the Revolution
April 13, 2013
When I first was introduced to BA's teachings, I was very shocked that this white boy was very real and knew a lot about Black life. Listening to BA, I felt that he knew just what I was going through and up against day after day.
High School Student on the Film:
"It answers questions but calls on people to ask more questions!"
March 12, 2013
Before I saw the film I had learned about the lynchings during Jim Crow and before that, and I used to think, these people were fucked up. They took slaves, they killed Black people, they were fucked up. It was always about the individual. Like, some people didn't do that, and some people did. It was never about, like, all the things that made that OK. That's what society was comfortable with. So I was always angry, I thought, how could you think that was ok? How could you see that and not say anything? ...
“BA Everywhere is endurance, perseverance and equality. This about justice and equality—it is direction on how to.”
March 24, 2013
From a minister in Chicago:
I’m an ordained minister but my life style consisted of me being a drug addict—one of the worst kind. There wasn’t anything I wouldn’t do to feed my addiction. Now that my life has been changed there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do to keep straight. BA is a part of my life and that is one of the things that keeps me strong—keeps me on the right path of righteousness. I believe in God first. God is my Father and I surrender my life over to him. BA is second and I surrender my life over to BA to get our world back into the righteous place where it needs to be.
From Barney Bush
Writer/Teacher/Native community chairman/Father/Grandfather and Activist in the honor of our homelands and the next seven plus generations
March 15, 2013
I am aware that we are at the crossroads where we are unable to recover any of the thousands of species destroyed by industrialization within just the last five years (about two hundred a day, so I hear). Having said that, we are already outside the realm of quick fixes for recovering the earth, air and water.
"Talkin' Bout... A Revolution?"
March 15, 2013
From Erin Aubry Kaplan, on the Social Focus section of kcet.org
The short curve of Crenshaw between Vernon Avenue and King Boulevard has long been a kind of delta where the many rivers of black reality meet.
James
Vrettos, professor,
John Jay College, NYC
March 9, 2013
Having gone and listened to a live, public Bob Avakian speech, as I have, is to be exposed to one of the most provocative, serious and controversial social thinkers of our time. He's an American original who should be heard, debated and critiqued for these dramatic and troubling times.
"Black people need to see/hear this"
March 9, 2013
This statement is from a woman whose son was killed by the police and who heard BA speak:
Black people need to see/hear this tape because we blinded. I was blinded at first—I'm not blinded no more. They get out and hear this about why we are oppressed the way we are. Maybe somebody will stand up and say "we stand for revolution."...
From Gregory Koger— Revolutionary, Former Prisoner, and Current Target of Political Persecution
March 9, 2013
Far too many people know and live under the daily conditions of misery and exploitation of this capitalist-imperialist system. And far too many do not know that not only does the world not have to be this way, but we—together with others all over the world—have the potential to get rid of all of these completely unnecessary horrors and struggle together to build a world where everyone contributes what they can to society and gets back what they need to live a life worthy of human beings.
"If you're one of those people who've said 'Call me when the time is right and I'll be there' then here's that call"
March 9, 2013
From Dennis Loo
If you've ever wondered whether a revolution could happen in the USA, then you need to be there. If you burn with impatience or long for something dramatically different than what authorities say is "just the way things have to be," then you need to be there.
"You have got to watch this incredibly credible movie"
March 9, 2013
From a small business owner and peace activist:
You have got to watch this incredibly credible movie. It is an absolute “Tour de force” by Bob Avakian that can and will move you right up to the front with thousands and then millions of others in the drive for revolution.
"If you are anything like me, you should be there."
March 9, 2013
From a teacher in Atlanta
If you’re anything like me, the idea of watching a six hour film seems nearly impossible. I rarely get six hours of sleep a night, six hours with a friend or family member, six hours to do whatever…pretty much the only thing that allows me to spend 6, 8, 12, 16 hours is my work…my job and I guess I’m lucky to have one.
If you’re anything like me, you probably ask yourself, “Is this really as good as it gets? Is this really the best of all possible worlds?” If you’re anything like me, you’ve caught yourself compromising your hopes and dreams of a better world and a different future. Maybe you’ve caught yourself compromising your imagination to conform to what we’re told is “possible” and if you’re anything like me…maybe you’ve even started to believe that nothing will ever change. This is the best we can do, so I should quit whining, get back to work and be thankful.
“It is not enough to just say you agree. Humanity is at stake… Revolution—nothing less!”
March 9, 2013
From a High School Student on Hearing BA Speak:
This system cuts short the life of millions of children as they slave away in third-world factories, this system consistently allows police to murder anyone they choose, this system regards women as objects, this system literally starves people to death, this system perpetrates human suffering in all its forms. This is what we were born in to. We never decided that this is the way the world should work, but we do have an obligation to do something about it....
Message to the Youth in the Neighborhood
March 9, 2013
I want to say this to the youth in the neighborhood. This system has no future for you. You have to seriously check out Bob Avakian.
From an early age this system had me programed for prison and I wound up doing many, many years. I know about the solitary confinement, the beat downs—the struggle to keep your humanity. I was a kid when I went in and an old man when I came out.
We want to thank everyone in advance for their submissions and while we can't post everything we are receiving, we are learning a lot from everything that is coming in, so please keep writing.
"My
dear brother Bob Avakian... is the Chairman
of the Revolutionary Communist Party.... He
is one of the few coming out of the 60's who
never sold out, he never caved in, he never
gave up, held on to his forging of a
rigorous, scientific analysis of the
objective realities that are driven by a
revolutionary love – because he has such a
deep love for poor people, oppressed people,
all around the world. Whether you agree or
disagree with our brother, one thing you
cannot deny: that he is the real thing. No
doubt about it."
–Cornel West, introducing his
interview with Bob Avakian
on the Smiley & West radio show
(October 5, 2012)
“Yes, this is a film, but that is not its essence. This is a daring, substantive, scientific summoning to revolution. 6+ hours that can change how you see the world and what you do with the rest of your life. Is this hype? No.”
—From one of the filmmakers
From the Premieres...Articles & Reports
Updated April 18, 2013
BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS!
After the Premieres...the Challenge Now
Last weekend marked an important beginning, a launch of something new into the world. New... and quite remarkable as well. A filmed speech of Bob Avakian, Chairman of the Revolutionary Communist Party, powerfully making the case for revolution—nothing less!, over 600 people around the country gathered together to watch the new film, entitled, quite fittingly, BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS! Diverse audiences—including significant numbers of youth and a significant turnout from the most oppressed communities—got deeply into it. They listened as Bob Avakian, in six hours, gave them a whole different framework with which to understand the world... and transform it. Periods of intense attention were punctuated by outbursts of laughter, talkback to the screen, and strong applause. The accounts we are publishing of the different premieres, along with the interviews, give a sense of the response and the spirit at these events, and of the connections that were made. It was, as the publicity promised, a journey—and in another sense, the beginning of a new phase of the larger journey... to revolution!
Reports from the Premieres
LA Premiere, BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS!
March 22, 2013
It wasn't long into the film, BA Speaks: Revolution —Nothing Less, when the audience began responding audibly. Laughter, applause, assent. This is a masterpiece talk and the production of the film is beautiful with crystal clear sound. All this enabled people to get inside and travel with Avakian for 6+ hours, and in the process, many, many in attendance were touched to their very core —dealing with big questions about their lives and fundamental belief systems.
In LA, there were about 165 people in attendance. A very multinational audience. Groups of students came from three different state colleges throughout the city (including in some further away areas). Also, individuals from a community college and a major university. The students were mainly Black and Latino, one or two Asian students and a few white students. Probably 25 total plus handfuls of other young people. They'd heard about it from revolutionaries on campus —many who'd they seen over a number of days, as well as from professors who encouraged them to come. Over a dozen people heard about it from Michael Slate's show on KPFK, some of whom have been listening to BA on his show. A handful of Black people (in their 40s and 50s) came from a proletarian neighborhood. A group of Iranian people and a few people who speak mainly Spanish, with some English ability.
From New York
March 23, 2013
On Saturday, March 16, the Magic Johnson Theater in the heart of Harlem buzzed with excitement as people started streaming in for the premiere of BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS! A multinational grouping of over 220 people gathered and watched the film. The excitement was palpable as you entered the theater, with greeters pointing people to where the movie was and talking to everyone entering the theater about what all the buzz was about. People commented that they had never seen anything quite like this, from the greeters out front, the large visuals of the film poster, the tables with literature and introductory packets for everyone who attended. People welcoming them to step into the revolution—by getting into and getting with BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS!
From San Francisco Bay Area
March 22, 2013
An excited crowd gathered at Laney College in Oakland on Sunday, March 17, in anticipation of viewing the premiere of BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS! Those arriving early were greeted by representatives of the Revolution Club—Bay Area, and checked out the Revolution Books table in the lobby. Then, led by a banner-carrying contingent from the Revolution Club—East Oakland, people entered the theater to begin the day.
About 150 people were in the theater Sunday. It was a diverse group—different nationalities and ages, people drawn from all over the Bay Area. For many this was the first time they had come to such an event and a few were apprehensive about what they would find and hear. The freshness of a large section of the audience gave a different character to the event. Many, many of the people attending were not known to the organizers of the event before the day. People had heard about it in different ways—palm cards, billboard, newspaper ads, radio, class announcements and through friends. Something new was represented—new and important and fragile.
From Chicago
March 22, 2013
There was a sense of both seriousness and real excitement as over 120 people gathered at Ferguson Hall at Columbia College on Saturday, March 16 for the Chicago premiere of the film BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS! People commented on the diversity of the audience that were all brought together to hear BA speak on the most pressing questions facing humanity. The audience was about 30 percent Black people of all ages, from high school youth, students from community colleges, and others from some of the most oppressed communities, to older people who were teachers and professionals, and people who are part of the Revolution Club and the struggle against mass incarceration and police brutality. Several people of different nationalities commented on the importance of a section of young Black people being in the house. There were a number of older Black people who said they came because they feel that the situation has become intolerable and they were looking for answers, including several people came on their own after hearing Carl Dix interviewed two days earlier on WVON, a Black radio station. About 20 percent of the audience was under 25, high school and college students and recent college graduates, as well as others of that age from the masses at the bottom of society who are working on jobs or just working to find a way to survive. The rest of audience was made up of people from all different ages, strata, interests, and nationalities—all interested in engaging BA.
Additional Showings
Atlanta
March 28, 2013
BA Speaks: Revolution—Nothing Less! was screened in Atlanta on Saturday March 23 at a community center in the neighborhood where Revolution Books is located.
Cleveland
April 14, 2013
About 40 people of different ages and nationalities came out to see BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS! at Cleveland State University, sponsored by the Black Studies Program and Revolution Books. As people came up to get packets, some felt that they were coming to something new and arising while others were curious. Most of the people had just recently heard of BA, so it was eye opening and new to them.
Honolulu
March 28, 2013
20 people attended the opening of BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS! at Revolution Books in Honolulu. In spite of the relatively small number attending, the audience was remarkably diverse and included proletarians and professionals, '60s activists and college students, former prisoners and veterans.
Houston
March 28, 2013
Over 40 people gathered at a shop in Third Ward, one of the oldest and largest Black communities in Houston, for Houston's initial showing of the film BA Speaks: Revolution—Nothing Less!
Seattle
March 28, 2013
Last Sunday, March 24, Revolution Books in Seattle was at times filled to overflowing with a total of 40 people watching the film BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS! It was a diverse crowd of various nationalities and ages. Although some people did leave early, a number of them said they wished they could stay for the rest of it, with some of them leaving with a copy of the DVD or plans for getting the DVD.
Reports from Fundraising Dinners for BA Everywhere
After the Premieres:
Raising Big Funds and Spreading the DVD
The following is a slightly edited text of a speech given by Andy Zee of Revolution Books at the BA Everywhere fundraising dinner in New York City on April 6, 2013. This talk followed the playing of the chapter from BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS! Bob Avakian Live titled: “Emancipating Humanity…Transforming Conditions & Transforming Human Nature” and the first half minute of the next chapter up to the sentence that Andy Zee begins with. At the end of the talk, Andy Zee incorporated some particular information for NY that pertained to some of the ways for people to get involved. People are welcome to adapt this for upcoming fundraising dinners in other cities.
Chicago Fundraising Dinner and Celebration to Spread the Film: BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS! Bob Avakian Live
April 28, 2013
BA Everywhere Fundraising Dinner in LA: Raising Funds and Coming Together
April 18, 2013
NYC Dinner: Celebrating the Film and Making Plans for BA Everywhere
April 14, 2013
San Francisco Bay Area Potluck and Fund-raiser for BA Everywhere
April 14, 2013
Cleveland Fundraising Potluck and Celebration of the Release of the Film BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS!
Apri 22, 2013
During the run-up to the premieres, articles from Revolution newspaper played a key role in summing up lessons and challenging people with new ideas. "BA: A Contended Question," and "We Call Bullshit" challenged conventional wisdom about BA and communism. Editorials drew out the importance of the film and "What the World Needs Now." Many of these articles are available in "Key Articles/Archives".
Voices from the Premieres
At the March 16-17 premieres of the film BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS! in New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, and the San Francisco Bay Area, Revolution interviewed dozens of audience members during the intermissions and at the end of the showings. The following are excerpts from some of those interviews.
21-year-old Black man from Harlem
Q: Is there anything so far that has surprised you?
One thing—I wasn't surprised, but in America, a lot of people do say this is the land of the free, land of this. But people like me, it's just totally the opposite because I'm the definition of America's enemy. I'm a young Black youth in the inner city. They wrote us off before we was born. We was convicted at birth, that's how I feel sometimes. But one thing that surprised me—the whole thing is a surprise to me, actually. Because I'm not—me, myself, I'm not used to actually engaging in real issues that may be in society. So this is being real direct, just talking about stuff that makes sense, really engage me as a person.
Interview with a Student:
Showing BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS!
Excerpts from an interview with a student who attended one of the premieres of the film BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS! and, from his perspective, talks about his experience in taking the DVD of the film out to others.
Get Involved!
Updated March 7, 2014
To get involved with the movement for revolution and the party at its core explore and get into this website: revcom.us and spread it among people you know. To be a part of and contribute to the BA Everywhere campaign, click on the "Fight the Power, and Transform the People, for Revolution" tab at the top of page and go to the section: "BA Everywhere."
Below are ways you can be a part of getting out the film BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS! To propose events in your local area to be be posted on this page, send info to revolution.reports@yahoo.com.
Coming off the Premieres
A Fundamental Point
of Orientation,
Approach and Objective
THIS MOVEMENT FOR REVOLUTION MUST NOW BECOME A REAL FORCE, POWERFULLY IMPACTING AND INFLUENCING ALL OF SOCIETY... bringing forward growing numbers of those this system has cast out and cast down, who must be and can be the driving force of the fight to put an end not only to their own oppression, but all oppression, all over the world... drawing in many others, from all walks of life, who are inspired to join this same cause... preparing minds and organizing forces, Fighting the Power, and Transforming the People, for REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS.
Bob Avakian, Chairman of the
Revolutionary Communist Party, USA
After you've seen the film...
New York
March 20, Thursday, 7 pm
Screening and discussion of a clip from BA
Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS!, “THE
CHALLENGE: REVOLUTION – NOTHING LESS!”
at Revolution Books - 146 West 26 Street
(Between 6th & 7th Avenues)
Los Angeles
March 20, Thursday, 7:30
pm
Screening and discussion of a clip from BA
Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS!
Every first and third Thursday, screenings and discussions of excerpts from the film at Revolution Books, 5726 Hollywood Blvd revolutionbooksla.blogspot.com
During the run-up to the premieres, articles from Revolution Newspaper played a key role in summing up lessons and challenging people with new ideas. "BA: A Contended Question," and "We Call Bullshit" challenged conventional wisdom about BA and communism. Editorials drew out the importance of the film and "What the World Needs Now." Many of these articles are available in "Key Articles/Archives."
Funds: A Critical Need
This is not a society where promotion of desperately needed ideas and the movement we are building gets funding from the powers-that-be! Just the opposite. Getting BA Everywhere in society is going to be a battle. A critical front in this battle is fundraising. Tens of thousands of dollars need to be raised to make the premieres a giant leap in projecting BA into every corner of society. And thousands of people like YOU need to and can make that happen.
Seriously: What BA brings to people is a compelling message, Revolution—Nothing Less! Go to the premieres in your city—or order the film today. This IS what's needed and THIS is where your money and energies need to go if you really want to do something about the emergency situation that faces humanity: millions starving, drone attacks terrorizing and murdering thousands, women—half of humanity—facing brutality and degradation, more than two million in prison, the planet facing destruction, and so much more. Nothing less than revolution can address and solve these problems.
Everyone reading this: step up and step out now. Get together with others. Make—and fight through on—bold and creative plans to raise lots of funds to push forward the whole BA Everywhere effort. Over the next several months, those funds will be critical in getting BA's voice out there on a much bigger scale. Contribute today and join the efforts to spread BA Everywhere—and the message of REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS!
See times and places for fundraising dinners | See reports on fundraising dinners
Download
brochure for fundraising dinners weekend of
April 5-6.
NOTE: this PDF is for printing double-sided and
folding into a booklet. It will print front and
back on three sheets of paper, and has twelve
pages once folded. On printers that allow
double-sided printing, select options for
"landscape," "two-sided," and "short-edge
binding".
Contribute to The Bob Avakian Institute
Mail checks or
money orders to:
The Bob Avakian Institute
(or The BA Institute)
1016 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60607
Or online at thebobavakianinstitute.org
Please be aware that The Bob Avakian Institute is not tax exempt and donations made to it are not tax deductible.
The Bob Avakian Institute is a nonprofit institute organized for educational purposes. Its mission is to preserve, project, and promote the works and vision of Bob Avakian with the aim of reaching the broadest possible audience. In furtherance of its mission, The Bob Avakian Institute financially supports projects aimed at Spreading BA Everywhere. To read the full mission statement, go to thebobavakianinstitute.org.
At this time, gifts (donations) can only be solicited and accepted from residents of the following states: Arizona, California, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Texas, Vermont, Washington, Wyoming. All gifts (donations) from these states are greatly appreciated. Residents of these same states can donate online.
(Disclosure statements can be found at The Bob Avakian Institute website at thebobavakianinstitute.org.)
If you would like to make a check or donate online to the BA Everywhere campaign but live in a state other than Arizona, California, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, Nevada, NJ, NY, Ohio, Texas, Vermont, Washington, Wyoming, contributions can be made payable to RCP Publications online at baeverywhere.revcom.us/bae-donate.html or sent to RCP Publications, PO Box 3486, Merchandise Mart, Chicago, IL 60654 (indicate “BA Everywhere”). Contributions or gifts to RCP Publications are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes.
Promotional
Materials for
BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS!
Updated March 17, 2013
If you need further help or instructions for
any materials here,
email BA Everywhere at baeverywhere@gmail.com.
DVD Promotional
material
Artwork for t-shirts and buttons
Art for
t-shirt - front (PDF)
Art for t-shirt - back (PDF)
Art for
button (PDF) Film Trailer for Magic Johnson Theater in New York
A
"before the film" commercial that you actually
want to see:
"BA
Speaks: Revolution—Nothing Less" ... at
the Movies!
Right-click here to download for off-line viewing.
PSAs for radio
Click to play; right-click to download.
PSA for film premiere, 59 seconds. For March 16 at Magic Johnson Theater, Harlem, New York.
PSA for film premiere, 54 seconds. For March 16 at Magic Johnson Theater, Harlem, New York.
PSA for film premiere, 60 seconds. For March 16 in Chicago.
PSA for film premiere, 60 seconds. For March 17, Laney College Theater in Oakland.
KPFA ad, 60 seconds. For March 17, Laney College Theater in Oakland.
PSA for film premiere, 60 seconds long (wav file). For March 16, Los Angeles.
Artwork for 11x17" Poster - NEW, March 6, 2013
Artwork provided here is for an 11x17" Poster. The artwork verion labeled "PDF with crop marks" is for commercial printers. The crop marks tell the printer where to cut the paper.
Before sending this artwork to the printer, local information about the film date, time and location must be added. For the PDF version, use Acrobat Professional, or another tool that can edit PDFs, to change the words in the blue box at bottom that are in brackets or parenthesis.
Download artwork here:
PDF
with crop marks for printer
PDF
with border
JPG
with border
Palmcards
Palmcard Front
Download artwork for front:
*PDF
with crops for print
*JPG
for web
Palmcard Back
Download artwork for back:
*PDF
with crops for print
*JPG
for web
Artwork provided here is for front and back of
palmcard.
The PDF version is for use by printers—it has crop marks so that they know where to cut the paper.
The JPG should be used to post to websites.
Click on the link to download either version.
Flier and Poster
Announcing the Premiere of the Film:
BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS! (Revolution
#294, February 10, 2013)
Media
Updated March 24, 2013
Key Media Information
PRESS RELEASE, NYC, March 11: Film Premiere: BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS
Bob Avakian Speaks: 1969, 1979, 2003, a video compilation
What people are saying about Bob Avakian and the film BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS!
Who is BA?
Available for interviews:
Raymond Lotta is an advocate for Bob Avakian's new synthesis of communism. He is a political economist and contributor to Revolution newspaper. His books include America in Decline. Lotta is the director of the Set The Record Straight Project, which takes on and refutes the lies and distortions about the socialist revolutions of the 20th century: the Soviet Union (1917-56) and China (1949-76). Lotta writes and lectures extensively on issues of global economics, the socialist alternative to capitalism, and the environmental emergency. Recently he has engaged in dialogues and debates about the Constitution for the New Socialist Republic in North America (Draft Proposal), which is the framework for a new socialist society and economy based on Avakian's new synthesis. On April 15, Lotta will be debating philosopher and social theorist Slavoj Zizek on the history and prospects of communist revolution, and on whether Bob Avakian's reenvisioned communism is the way out of the horror of this world.
Carl Dix is a revolutionary communist, a national leader in the movement to stop mass incarceration, who co-issued with Cornel West a call for a campaign of civil disobedience to STOP “Stop-and-Frisk." This campaign changed the discourse in NYC around the racist stop-and-frisk policy. A veteran revolutionary fighter from the '60s, Carl refused to go to Vietnam in 1970 (he is one of the Fort Lewis 6).
Sunsara
Taylor is a writer for Revolution
newspaper and a key initiator of StopPatriarchy.org.
You can hear Sunsara Taylor discussing why
those who hate the oppression of women should
come out to BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING
LESS! on Pacifica's
KPFA radio, March 8, 2013, International
Women's Day.
Andy Zee is the spokesperson for Revolution Books in New York City and a writer for Revolution newspaper. Text of a recent talk is available here: "If Humanity Is Going to Fight Its Way Out of This Nightmare, It's Going to Be Because of the Work and Leadership of Bob Avakian".
Young organizers of the Revolution Clubs:
Jamel Mims works with the Revolution Club which is active in the streets of New York City under the slogan “Fight the Power, Transform the People, for Revolution.” He helped found the national Stop Mass Incarceration Network, and has been arrested multiple times in actions to stop Stop and Frisk. He is also a multimedia artist, hip hop pedagogue, and in 2008 he studied hip hop in Beijing on a Fulbright grant. See "Talking with Jamel Mims" at The Nation — Student Nation at http://www.thenation.com/blog/173098/talking-jamel-mims.
Media Coverage
BA and this Film on the air
Cornel West Interviews
Bob Avakian on PRI Smiley & West radio
show, October 2012
In early October, the revolution
crackled on the airwaves when the Smiley &
West radio show on PRI (Public Radio
International) across the country aired an
interview that Cornel West recently conducted
with Bob Avakian. This interview is sharp and
wide-ranging, challenging and inspiring. Cornel
West, a prominent public intellectual, engages
with Bob Avakian, the leader of a new stage of
communist revolution.
Bob Avakian Interviewed by
Michael Slate
A five-part interview aired on
KPFK Los Angeles in January and early February.
The interview ranges widely over the questions
that confront humanity in this world of
sweatshops, slums, and environmental emergency.
But permeating everything in it is the most
compelling case that the nothing short of
revolution can deal with the immense and
unnecessary suffering people face on this
planet.
Carl
Dix on WCHR, Jeanne Parnell show, aired Wed.
March 13. (Recorded on March 13)
Listen to Carl Dix on the Cliff Kelley Show on
WVON, Thursday, March 14, 6:08-6:25 PM
Central Time
PRESS RELEASE, LA: March 13 Press
Conference to Protest Police Suppression of
Promotion of BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING
LESS
See YouTube video here or view print press
release here.
"The Remedy for a Bad World —
BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS!"
Broadcast ready interview with Sunsara
Taylor (writer/initiator, End Porn and
Patriarchy) and Amina (activist, organizer for
revolution). From The Michael Slate Show. Host
and Producer: Michael Slate
Taylor & Amina on a film premiering in 4 cities March 16 & 17. They argue that BA Speaks: Revolution - Nothing Less!, the film of an historic speech by Bob Avakian, Chairman of the Revolutionary Communist Party, in the Fall of 2012 is unlike any other film. One of the filmmakers said, "Yes, this is a film, but that is not its essence. This is a daring, substantive, scientific summoning to revolution. 6+ hours that can change how you look at the world and what you do with the rest of your life."
Sunsara
Taylor discussing why those who hate the
oppression of women should come out to BA
Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS! on
Pacifica’s KPFA radio, March 8, 2013,
International Women's Day. Listen
here.
Other Media Coverage
Article
submitted March 12, 2013
“BA and Revolution in the Air”
Bob Avakian and his work are getting more into
the political discourse as revolutionaries are
going out in the world engaging and struggling
with a wide array of people about BA and
revolution, while building for the premiere of
the film: BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING
LESS!
Read
more
"Talkin'
Bout... A Revolution?"
This commentary by journalist and op-ed
columnist Erin Aubry Kaplan, dated March 14,
appeared on the Social Focus section of
kcet.org, website of the public media outlet
KCET in Southern California.
Read
more
Photo: Billboard for BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS! in Oakland, California. Photo: Special to Revolution.
Lessons of Building for the Premieres - Key Articles and Archives
Updated March 24, 2013
Building, Learning, Transforming | Snapshots
Why Go to This Film Premiere?
Why go to this film premiere? Simply: It's by far the most important thing people could be doing that day–it's dealing with the most important thing there could be–because it's about the real possibility of bringing into being a radically different world, where all this madness, all the oppression and injustice, all the abuse and degradation that is so much a part of life now, would be done away with. If anybody can think of anything more important than that–let's hear it!
Key Points About the Film
In the fall of
2012, Bob Avakian gave a series of talks in
different cities.
This is a film of one of these talks.
"My dear brother Bob Avakian... is the Chairman of the Revolutionary Communist Party.... He is one of the few coming out of the 60's who never sold out, he never caved in, he never gave up, held on to his forging of a rigorous, scientific analysis of the objective realities that are driven by a revolutionary love – because he has such a deep love for poor people, oppressed people, all around the world. Whether you agree or disagree with our brother, one thing you cannot deny: that he is the real thing. No doubt about it."
–Cornel West, introducing his
interview with Bob Avakian
on the Smiley & West radio show
(October 5, 2012)
"Those this system has cast off, those it has treated as less than human, can be the backbone and driving force of a fight not only to end their own oppression, but to finally end all oppression, and emancipate all of humanity."
—From this film, BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS
“Yes, this is a film, but that is not its essence. This is a daring, substantive, scientific summoning to revolution. 6+ hours that can change how you see the world and what you do with the rest of your life. Is this hype? No.”
—From one of the filmmakers
BA: A Contended Question
A point of orientation—and this is something where clarity is important...
Rather than avoiding (or being defensive) we need to be assertively and boldly—and, in a real sense, positively—putting forward the fact that BA is a "contended question"...that a lot of people who find out what he is all about really like him and what he stands for, and then there are people who really hate him, fundamentally because of what he stands for.
Announcing the Premiere of a Film of a Major Talk by Bob Avakian in the Fall of 2012:
BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS!
February 10, 2013. If humanity is going to fight its way out of this horrific nightmare and create a world where human beings can rise to their full potential and truly flourish, it will be because of the work and leadership of Bob Avakian. And it will be because people—beginning with YOU—get into this work, get with this leadership, and fight for others to do the same.
In March, a new film of a major
speech given by Bob Avakian in the fall of 2012
will premiere. This film can make a world of
difference in a world that needs nothing more
than to be radically different. Whether that
happens depends on us.
Read more
Some Lessons on Reaching out to People on the Basis of "Why Go to This Film Premiere?"
March 10, 2013
by Raymond Lotta
I recently had some discussions with a few professors about the March 16 premiere of BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS. I thought it would be helpful to sum up three lessons.
The first and most important has to do with adhering to the basic or "core orientation" that should be guiding us in going out to people. I am speaking of the vital paragraph "Why Go to This Film Premiere?" This really has to set the terms and the tone of our encounters with people. I say this because there is a tendency to get pulled away and, really more a temptation to, get drawn into all kinds of discussion and back-and-forth that actually cut against the whole point of that paragraph.
We Call Bullshit
October
7, 2012. This sharp polemic, by two young
revolutionaries, is very important in the coming
weeks as people take out word about the film of
BA's new talk.
Read more
Building, Learning, Transforming
To
Those Who Hate the Oppression of Women—
And Want to See Humanity Free of Every
Chain...
Do Not Miss BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS!
A message from Sunsara Taylor
March 8, 2013
Karl Marx once wrote that in the future communist society it will be as difficult to imagine owning a piece of land as it is today to picture owning a human being.
The same principle applies to the
rest of the many horrors today seem to
constitute the "natural order of things." It
will be difficult for people to fathom how it
ever seemed acceptable to live in a world where
millions of children died each year from
preventable disease, where technology and
innovation were utilized not to solve world
hunger but to create and unleash arsenals of
mass destruction, or where ideas—even new
understandings of how to cure epidemic
diseases—were considered "private property" and
held back unless someone could profit off them.
Read
more
Two Big Sources of Dynamism: Revolution Books and BA Everywhere Teams
March 8, 2013
Many people are working very hard
to make the nationwide premieres of BA
Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS! major
successes. When and as we do this, there are
sometimes simple ways to multiply our efforts
that we may not see. We need to ask: where are
the possible synergies of different efforts,
where are the possible sources of dynamism, that
we may be overlooking? And how do we do better
at opening a number of different doors into this
movement so that people can find ways to make
their contributions count?
Read
more
March
16 in NYC, LA, and Chicago and March 17 in
SF:
Clear
the Day!
Come Together with Others Around the Country
See the Film Premiere of… BA Speaks:
REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS!
March
2, 2013. On this planet today, there are
no questions that are more important—and no
answers that are more thoroughgoing—than what is
spoken to in BA Speaks:
REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS! And
there is no person more filled with
contempt for the powers-that-be and the horrific
order they trumpet and enforce—nor more filled
with scientific confidence in the potential of
masses of people to change all that—than Bob
Avakian, the Chairman of the Revolutionary
Communist Party, USA.
Read
more.
A thought on building for the Premieres
February
28, 2013. I think it would be very good
to develop some tags—short sharp formulations
that go along with some of our promotional
materials—that convey clearing one day to
come together with others in theaters around
the country to engage the most pressing
questions of our time as spoken to by the
leader who has made possible a whole new world.
Read
more
What the World Needs Now
February
18, 2013. There are four weeks until the
premiere of BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING
LESS! The premieres of this film
are crucially important; but we have to conceive
of them as, and make them be part of, something
larger. The process of building for and then
showing this film has to put revolution on the
map in society in a big way and go a lot further
in making BA a household word.
Read more
Press Conference Denounces LAPD Attempt to Stop People from Publicizing BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS!
March 14, 2013
Wednesday, March 13, a press conference was held under a huge colorful billboard for BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS! on Crenshaw Blvd in Los Angeles. It was in protest of the LAPD's attempt to forcibly prevent people from publicizing the premiere of the film in the area.
BA at the Front Counter of Revolution Books
March 12, 2013
A couple weeks ago we introduced a little DVD player at the front counter at Revolution Books. Something new began to happen.
“BA and Revolution in the Air”
March 12, 2013
Bob Avakian and his work are getting more into the political discourse as revolutionaries are going out in the world engaging and struggling with a wide array of people about BA and revolution, while building for the premiere of the film: “BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS!
A Few Thoughts and Some Experience in Sealing People's Commitment to Come to BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS!
March 10, 2013
From a reader:
It is of great importance that we win many
people to actually attend the film BA
Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS! and
that we do so on the right basis!
A Thought From Taking BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS! to the Classroom
March 10, 2013
From a reader:
A couple of us went into a classroom to
promote the premier of BA Speaks:
REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS! We made a
presentation aimed at making the point that the
most important thing these students could do was
clear the day and be in the house for that
premier.
More On Key Themes and Threads—Building for the Premiere of BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS!
March 8, 2013
This post should be seen as supplemental to yesterday's very important post "Key Themes and Methods in Fighting Through to Successful Premieres" (below).
More on three key points from that post, and two new points:
- To the Masses in a Mass Way—EVEN MORE SO
- Building Collectivity at Every Level
- Follow-up is Critical
- Into the Media and the Social Buzz
- Raise Funds!!
Observations and Thoughts on Building for the Film Premiere:
Key Themes and Methods in Fighting Through to Successful Premieres
March 6, 2013
Here are some observations and thoughts on two main themes off of being out this last weekend to promote, build for and get people to come to the film premiere BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS!
What
BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS
Opens Up...
An Experience Watching the Rough-Cut With a
Group of People
March 8, 2013
"BA just grabbed me and dragged me in," this was one of the first comments after nearly a dozen of us finished watching the first two hours of the rough cut of BA Speaks: REVOLUTION— NOTHING LESS! "He gives so much history to everything he is talking about. Even if you are new to this movement you know what he is talking about because he makes it really clear."
Drawing
Lessons From the Past In the Struggle for the
Premieres:
Making Revolution a Big Deal on Campus
March 3, 2013
From a Reader
In 2009, there was a campus speaking tour by Raymond Lotta entitled "Everything You Have Been Told About Communism Is Wrong! Capitalism Is a Failure, Revolution Is the Solution." And at the University of Chicago, this tour actually hit like a storm. This event and the work building up to it gave a glimmer of what it is like when we begin to crack open the atmosphere.
Timeline to Premieres
February 27, 2013
A plan, a framework, to work in a unified way.
Reporter's
Notebook:
A
Powerful Day of Defiance:
No More Trayvon Martins
Revolution—Nothing Less!
February 27, 2013.
by Sunsara Taylor
One year ago yesterday, Trayvon Martin was still alive and visiting his father in Sanford, Florida. A little after 7 pm his life was cut short by a racist vigilante as he walked home from the corner store with his hoodie up to protect him from the rain. As millions around the world now know, George Zimmerman, the man wanna-be-cop who admitted to having killed Trayvon, was not even arrested.
"A Hellava Scene in East Oakland"
February 27, 2013.
Trayvon
Martin Day, February 26, saw a hellava scene in
East Oakland!
Signs waving, horns honking, and two loud and
two determined marches in the streets—marking
the one-year anniversary of the cold-blooded
murder of Trayvon Martin, at the busiest
intersection in East Oakland.
Taking BA and Revolution to Michelle Alexander’s Talk at a Major University
February 22, 2013.
Many hundreds streamed in to hear Michelle Alexander speak on “The New Jim Crow” at a major university.
Promoting the New Film BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS! Bob Avakian Live, and Building the Movement for Revolution
February 17, 2013.
Editor's note: Two correspondences in this issue of Revolution give a living picture of important advances to learn from, and advance off of in making the premiere of the film of a major talk, BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS! a giant step forward in building a movement for revolution.
Building for the Premiere of BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS!
Stepping To and Really Challenging the Youth
February 19, 2013.
In being part of the work to build for the nationwide premiere of BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS!, I have been thinking a lot about what Bob Avakian modeled in this talk (I am among those who had the incredible experience of previewing this film) and striving to apply that. In that light, I want to share some experience—particularly some experience of challenging straight up to the youth from among the most oppressed to get with this revolution, including many who at first usually ignore or brush us off.
At
an elite university...
Challenging people to get with BA Speaks:
REVOLUTION--NOTHING LESS!
February 24, 2013.
Before heading out to an elite campus to build for the nationwide premiere of BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS! our team read and had a quick discussion of the posting "Stepping To and Really Challenging the Youth."
This huge billboard went up Friday, February 22 on Crenshaw, south of Stocker, in Los Angeles!
"From the First Seconds, the Controversy Ripped"
February 5, 2013
“What’s the problem? THE WHOLE DAMN SYSTEM! What’s the solution? REVOLUTION!” In a busy South Central L.A. shopping district this weekend, the Revolution hit the scene in a new way, arriving with a crew marching the four corners of a large intersection determined, tight, and on a mission with the message and title of the film of Bob Avakian’s new talk: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS!
A Day on Campus
February 17, 2013.
It was a busy afternoon at a major college in a big city, a lot of students from the bottom of society who've grown up in projects or immigrant communities. Word spread through the cafeteria as a flier went out that read "REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS!" letting people know about the upcoming premiere of the new talk by Bob Avakian. We challenged people that Obama has been worse than Bush and called on them to listen to the new interview with Bob Avakian on The Michael Slate Show.
Bringing Revolution to the Ramarley Graham Protest
February 17, 2013.
Interview with two members of the NYC Revolution Club.
February 2013—Los Angeles, CA
February 2013 - at a major
university
Snapshots
On The Road to the Premiere...
The following are reports of significant experiences, large or small, in the run-up to the premieres. These are not put here as models; instead, people should look at these as field reports—raw and unfiltered, not necessarily “correct” or on-target in every aspect, but worth sifting and mining for lessons. Keep sending!
Experience at a high school in a neighborhood of the oppressed: a snapshot
March 15, 2013
These recent trips inside the class rooms with the orientation of “REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS!” have really been an interesting experience. The students are very receptive when it comes to hearing about injustices but then there is the question of what we are going to do about it and what is your life going to be about.
March, Rally in Brooklyn: Outrage Continues over Police Murder of “Kiki” Gray
March 13, 2012
3/13/13: For the second night in a row on Tuesday, over a hundred people rallied and marched through East Flatbush, angry and outraged over the murder of 16-year-old Kimani “Kiki” Gray at the hands of undercover NYPD pigs.
IWD in San Antonio—Building for the film showings
March 12, 2012
A crew of us went from Houston to San Antonio for the annual International Women's Day (IWD) march.
From the BAY AREA: Building for the Film Premiere in Classes at a University
Here's what we're announcing in classes at UC Berkeley (you can do a minute or two before class starts).
Involving people in the whole process
An important and significant thing from that day is that masses did join in with us, L from the Bronx, the two young guys from the projects, as well as S who is an African-American guy in his early 30s who lives in the projects ...
Selling Tickets at a Community College
11 students have so far bought their tickets at the community college that we have been going out to. After some initial outings where we had a team of 4 or 5 people we were able to organize a revolution club that has made its first big project bringing at least 20 students from the school to the premiere.
Watching the Rough Cut with a Group of Friends
(Translated from Spanish)
A group of friends got together to watch the rough cut of the film of the new talk by BA, BA speaks: REVOLUTION — NOTHING LESS! And we were really lucky to be able to see it before the premiere.
Viewing the entire rough-cut with professor at an elite university who is oriented toward another trend but wants the Party in the discourse
_____ was again very immersed in viewing the film, and again quite animated afterwards. He was up and pacing about, saying that he thought that there were “3 points; what students need to encounter before they decide to work on Wall Street when they are young enough to make crucial choices”...
From SF Bay Area High School—Announcements in Classes
At one high school alone, by the end of next week we'll have made announcements or had class discussions (for the whole class) in something like 20 or more classes....
At work in an office
Usually at work around events I'd talk to people as individuals. This time I put up a poster about the Trayvon protests and made an announcement inviting people to come to the protest and wear hoodies to work.
Effort in an upscale progressive suburb
Most recently (yesterday) we did somewhat of a combination of street-team and concentrating at a Whole Foods-type market in town.
Following up at a community college
Many people have responded positively and taken flyers and gotten copies of the Cornel West interview with BA to listen to. And like we reported before, right on the spot, when we have gone out in a big way, we have called on people to come to a meeting of the Revolution Club that same afternoon and people have come and started to work together.
Setting up literature tables in a Latino district market plaza
On a sunny Saturday, we set up literature tables in a Latino district market plaza. With plenty of displays about the film and photo displays with BAsics quotes, we got on the bullhorn in Spanish and English, using the editorial (Revolution #294) as a guideline.
Making
a visual presence of
BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS!
Our plan for the weekend was to make a visual presence of BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS! in a neighborhood where we've been doing a lot of work.
Ideas
Using Social Media to Promote the Film
Our social media team here in Chicago is planning on sending emails to everyone who signs up for the film premiere on our Facebook event, urging them to get tickets and asking them to invite their friends on FB to the event there. We will also email people we know who were invited and urge them to "join" the FB event, get tickets and invite their friends. We plan to adapt the emails you post here on revcom.us for that purpose. This approach has worked in relation to other events to turn FB "joins" into really getting tickets and COMING to the event.
From Chicago—Showing Film Trailer on Cable TV
We just got word back from the person from Can TV Cable station: The BA Speaks: REVOLUTION—NOTHING LESS! trailer for Chicago has been accepted at CAN-TV and they will start cablecasting it Monday at the latest. He will try to get some specific times to me then so we can be on the lookout for it. I wanted people to know in case cable stations in other cities where we are showing the film might try and get it on cable TV in their area.
Important Experience to Share in Phone Banking to Sell Tickets—and a Proposal That Is Getting Implemented This Weekend in NY That Could Be Adapted Everywhere in This Last Run-up Period
I think we should have all-day phone banking with runners. On Saturday we can have a team of people phone calling, and a team of runners in Harlem. When we sell a ticket people can go deliver it. All the people that are close to getting a ticket we can say – "get your money together, give us your number, and someone will deliver it on Sunday."
What Students and Teachers Can Do
At a local community college people organizing for the premiere figured out things for students and teachers to do...