The Midwest: Flyover States or States of Rebellion?

In this episode, Lucas Lee joins co-host Dani Abdullah to discuss the upcoming mayoral elections and analyze the unknown history of working-class solidarity and uprisings in the Midwest.

The Naptown Breakdown discusses so-called “Voice of Progress” Vop Osili’s announced mayoral candidacy. Although current Indianapolis mayor Joe Hogsett will not seek re-election, Osili and Hogsett maintain close ties and Osili continue to defend Hogsett’s culture of patriarchy and misogyny. Osili’s ongoing silence and his 2025 removal of Lauren Roberts during a June 9 City-Council hearing.

In today’s main segment, Dani and Lucas discuss the pivotal uprisings of the Midwest that have happened in the last 20 years, from Ferguson to Minneapolis. While some may refer to this region as the ‘flyover states’ as organizers we know that almost anything is possible. Often labeled as slow and uneventful cities, the Midwest experienced some of the largest uprisings that later spread to the rest of the U.S. and the world. They analyze Indiana’s history of uprisings like the 1919 U.S. Steel Strikes, which saw workers of different national identities uniting for the benefit of the working and oppressed classes. Despite a common narrative that this uprising was plagued by “race riots” that pitted workers against each other, the real history is an exceptional one of solidarity the ruling class wants buried.

Show Notes:

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