AUSTIN AREA EVENTS (facebook link)

Adam Curtis' acclaimed BBC series, "Century of the Self," tells the story of the growth of the mass-consumer society in Britain and the United States. How was the all-consuming self created, by whom, and in whose interests? At the heart of the story is Sigmund Freud, whose techniques to probe the unconscious mind provided tools for understanding the desires of the masses and served as the precursor to a world full of political spin doctors, marketing moguls, and society's belief that the pursuit of satisfaction and happiness is the ultimate goal.

Each monthly screening will be on Sunday at 12:15. Each part in the series is one hour and will be followed by discussion. Part one, "Happiness Machines," tells the story of the relationship between Sigmund Freud and his American nephew, Edward Bernays, who invented the public relations profession in the 1920s and was the first person to employ Freud's ideas in an effort to manipulate mass opinion. Subsequent screenings will be on March 14, and April 11.

Featuring rare archival materials and interviews with Zinn and colleagues such as Noam Chomsky, You Can't Be Neutral captures the essence of this extraordinary man who has been a catalyst for progressive change for more than 60 years. Narrated by Matt Damon, and featuring music by Pearl Jam, Woody Guthrie and Billy Bragg.

The film captures the essence of this activist and thinker who has been a catalyst for progressive change for more than 60 years. As Noam Chomsky said of Howard Zinn, "it is no exaggeration to say he has changed the consciousness of a generation."

Si Kahn will discuss his book "Creative Community Organizing: A Guide for Rabble-Rousers, Activists, and Quiet Lovers of Justice," about the work of Grassroots Leadership. This latest work by the legendary activist, musician and author, is a different kind of community organizing book. While it does outline many of the practical tactics organizers use, Kahn also examines community organizing as a way of thinking and a way of life. "Creative Community Organizing" suggests ways that readers can identify and analyze the various options for action, weigh the positives and negatives and make choices among them. In other words, focus on the end goal and then determine the best strategies, tactics and methods to achieve that goal. It will help established community organizers become more creative and innovative, encourage them to question established principles and decide whether or not they still work. Those new to the field will discover a whole new way of looking at the world - they'll gain a new sense of empowerment, understand that things don't have to be the way they are, that the world can be more fair and humane - and that they can live and work in ways that help make that happen.

New Yorker staff writer Philip Gourevitch will give a talk about the Abu Ghraib prison scandal. His book Standard Operating Procedure was adapted into a documentary by Academy Award winning director Errol Morris. Gourevitch is also editor of the renowned literary magazine The Paris Review. This event is free and open to everyone, although seating is limited.

Independent journalist John Ross is the author of 10 books, including Murdered By Capitalism - A Memoir of 150 Years of Life and Death on the U.S. Left (Upton Sinclair Award winner) and Rebellion from the Roots: Indian Uprising in Chiapas (American Book Award winner). His reporting appears in publications such as the San Francisco Bay Guardian, The Nation, Texas Observer, and Counterpunch. His most recent book, El Monstruo: Dread and Redemption in Mexico City, tells the gritty, vibrant histories of Mexico City, where he is based.

Ali Abunimah, the editor of ElectronicIntifada.net and the author of "One Country: A Bold Proposal to End the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict," will speak about the current situation in occupied Palestine and scenarios for resolving the conflict.

UT professor Robert Jensen will interview Fletcher onstage, questioning him about the social justice movements that have been the focus of his life and work. What lessons about the today's crises can we draw from Fletcher's experience in the struggle for racial and economic justice, at home and abroad? Drawing on Solidarity Divided: The Crisis in Organized Labor and A New Path toward Social Justice, his 2009 book co-authored with Fernando Gapasin, Fletcher will offer new ideas for progressive organizing.

Fletcher, the executive editor of The Black Commentator web magazine and founder of the Center for Labor Renewal, is the immediate past president of TransAfrica Forum, a national non-profit organization organizing, educating and advocating for justice for the peoples of Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America. He is also a founder of the Black Radical Congress and a Senior Scholar for the Institute for Policy Studies in Washington, D.C.

Fletcher has served as Vice President for International Trade Union Development Programs for the AFL-CIO's George Meany Center, as well as Education Director and Assistant to the President of the AFL-CIO. Beginning in the labor movement as a rank-and-file member of the Industrial Union of Marine and Shipbuilding Workers of America, he combined labor and community work in efforts to desegregate the Boston building trades. He later served in leadership and staff positions in District 65-United Auto Workers, National Postal Mail Handlers Union and Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

Fletcher recently co-wrote a provocative essay on "Reimagining Socialism" with Barbara Ehrenreich for The Nation magazine.

Sponsored by: Third Coast Activist Resource Center, MonkeyWrench Books, and Workers Defense Project. The event is free and open to the public, with a suggested donation of $10 at the door. Proceeds go to the capital campaign of the Austin People's Community Center.