Organizing to Change the World with Clément Petitjean

Under the Tree: A Seminar on Freedom with Bill Ayers

One of Karl Marx’s most famous dictums is carved onto his gravestone: “The philosophers have only interpreted the world, in various ways. The point, however, is to change it.” The first step is opening our eyes, making meaning, making sense, interpreting and constructing a world. Another step is allowing ourselves to feel the world throbbing inside of us, to hear its rhythmic heart-beat in sync with our own—to be astonished at all the beauty and splendor and magnificence available in all directions, as well as all the unnecessary suffering and undeserved pain. And then, acting in response to what the known demands of us—to do something. This takes us into the realm of strategy and tactics where we state our aims and objectives and values, make and implement a plan, and organize ourselves for action. I’m joined at Pilsen Community Books in conversation with the brilliant thinker and writer Clément Petitjean in a far-ranging conversation about his important new book, Occupation: Organizer, and the challenge of organizing to change the world.