[act-ma] Center for Marxist Education - December Events

[Casey Doyle]

*December Events*
Center for Marxist Education | 550 Mass Ave, Cambridge | 2nd Floor


*Changes in the Condition of Workers in China*
*Liu Cheng, Shanghai Normal University*
Friday, December 4th 7-9pm
Liu Cheng, of Shanghai Normal University, is one of the foremost labor
scholars in China. He was one of the architects of China's 2008 labor law,
which significantly expanded workers' rights. Mass discussion of drafts of
the law raised workers' consciousness about their rights, and has been
cited as a factor in many strikes in China since then.
The minimum wage in the US has not been raised in decades. After inflation,
it is significantly lower today than it was 30 years ago. By contrast,
China has been raising the minimum wage by 10% to 15% per year for over a
decade.
In 2008, a new labor law also significantly expanded workers' rights. Many
young workers became aware of their rights under the law in discussions in
schools and throughout society in the years before it came into effect.
(The discussions also led to significant revisions of the law.) This has
been a factor in the rise of workers' struggles in China.
Liu Cheng was one of the architects of that labor law. He has also reached
out to workers and unions in the US, and became good friends with the late
Tim Costello, the founder of Global Labor Strategies. He will report on
recent changes in the condition of workers in China.
www.facebook.com/events/977425602295893




*Red History Lecture Series*
*The Resolute Subject: Daniel Bensaid, Voluntarism and Strategy*
Saturday, December 5th 3-5pm
Daniel Bensaïd (1946-2010) was a French Trotskyist, key figure of the Ligue
Communiste Revolutionnaire, a leading participant in the May 1968 general
strike and a militant Marxist intellectual. Bensaïd practiced a critical
and creative Marxism throughout his life, and he refused to believe that
the last word on our future had been said. Rather, he argued that
resistance to capitalism was not only possible, but he gave serious thought
about what it would take to win. Thus, Daniel Bensaïd remains a powerful
voice to argue for strategic thinking and developing a “resolute subject”
that could overcome the crushing weight of the “objective situation.”
www.facebook.com/events/1506992969594288




*China Discussion Group*
*A Report from China*
Thursday, December 10th 7-9pm
Three members of the CPUSA and volunteers at the Center for Marxist
Education attended this year's World Socialism Forum and other meetings in
China in October. Their participation reflects China's re-energized effort
to connect and build unity with international working class parties and
movements. Nick Giannone, Casey Doyle and Wadi'h Halabi will report on the
meetings and share their impressions of China. Along with the program and
discussion there will be a silent holiday auction featuring arts and crafts
from China.
www.facebook.com/events/1027502220641066

Silent Auction of Great Gifts from China (and Elsewhere)
Proceeds to benefit the CME
December 10, 2015
7 pm @ the CME

Items include:

Four men’s ties including a Pierre Cardin, but the “piece de resistance” is
a traditional craft Nanjing red silk brocade with a gold threader dragon
pattern. Each tie will be auctioned separately.

An exquisite Bayou Goldfoil Handcrafted Black Plate with black trim and
parrot-like birds on a bamboo trellis with red blossoms.
(75/8” diameter)

A Fengyatang a crafted model of Hua Mulan from the drama “The Heroine”
depicts a detailed costumed character in the Peking Opera. Set in a deep
frame with the back part of the frame black velvet and the frame itself
muted red, it is ready to hang.

A miniature crafted laquered replica of an ancient folding room divider
decorated with tree peonies. Tree peonies are symbolic of cultural arts and
are highly regarded in the field of international landscape gardening. A
true objet d’art.

Glass paperweight with embedded gold and silver Shanghai scene.

A Chinese bronze black metal horse.

An elegant blue and white porcelain pen.

3 enameled bookmarks, each one is different and each will be auctioned
separately

3 business card cases, each with a lacquered design top and mirrored inside
to keep your cards. Each to be auctioned separately.

A set of Korean pens with landscaped design.

A signed book: Execution in the Family: One’s Son’s Journey by Robbie
Meerpol.

**Donations of additional items for the auction welcome.




*Sunday Film Night*
*An Inconvenient Truth*
Sunday, December 13th 6pm
Director Davis Guggenheim eloquently weaves the science of global warming
with Al Gore's personal history and lifelong commitment to reversing the
effects of global climate change in the most talked-about documentary of
the year. An audience and critical favorite, An Inconvenient Truth makes
the compelling case that global warming is real, man-made, and its effects
will be cataclysmic if we don’t act now. Gore presents a wide array of
facts and information in a thoughtful and compelling way: often humorous,
frequently emotional, always fascinating. In the end, An Inconvenient Truth
accomplishes what all great films should: it leaves the viewer shaken,
involved and inspired. 96 minutes.
www.facebook.com/events/609992392482252



*Center for Marxist Education Hours*
In addition to our event times we are open the following evenings:
Monday – 4-8
Tuesday – 4-8
Wednesday – 4-8
Check our Facebook to see which other days we will be open

The Center has been made possible for over 4 decades by volunteer time and
contributions from you. If you wish to help us keep the Center going and
new books coming in, donations can be made by sending a check made out to
*Bookmarx*
mailed to:
Center for Marxist Education
PO Box 390459
Cambridge, MA 02139

Center for Marxist Education facebook page
<http://facebook.com/CenterForMarxistEducation>
<http://facebook.com/CenterForMarxistEducation>