Wed., March 26, 7:30-9:30 p.m., free, First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St., 215-387-0919, apscuhuru.org
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As the earnest stares of celebrities in Will.I.Am's Yes We Can video can attest, Barack Obama is good at getting people to believe he can bring significant change to America. There are some, however, who are not convinced. Led by African People's Socialist Party chairman Omali Yeshitela (pictured), The Democrats Can't Save Us forum will take a look at what Obama — and the other presidential candidates — have failed to address.
Along with his party, Yeshitela calls for a radical change in the American capitalist system — something he doesn't see Obama and the Dems providing. "[Obama's candidacy] represents the rulers of this country being able to drag a huge sector of the population that otherwise might be looking for alternatives to deal with the crises that this country is confronted with," says Yeshitela. "It's driving them back into the safe embrace of the Democratic party, which doesn't offer up anything fundamentally different from the Republican party." He likens Obama to a placebo given to Americans to placate anger over issues like income inequality, the subprime mortgage fiasco, increasing prison populations and the trial of the Jena six. "In him they see a possibility of change without articulating any meaningful change for African people," he says.
True believers might not like the message, but for those with some cynical leanings, this is a good chance to practice your "I-never-gave-in-to-the-hype" face.