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Podcast Series

Abolition School Radio

The Abolition School Radio podcast is a collaboration between the W.E.B. Du Bois Movement School for Abolition and Reconstruction and Haymarket Books, providing in-depth political education to a new generation of aspiring organizers and leaders. Season 1 is a 12-week course on Du Bois’s Black Reconstruction, led by Geo Maher. The Season 2 course focuses on CLR James’ Black Jacobins. Season 3, a 12-week course on the works of Frantz Fanon, is currently in progress.

Episodes

All Seasons Season 1 Season 2
Apr 8, 2026
Season 1 Episode 11

Class 11: Reading Black Reconstruction with Geo Maher

This is the eleventh episode of our 12-part series Reading Black Reconstruction with Geo Maher.

Readings for Episode 11 are:

  • Ch. 14: “The Counter-Revolution of Property” esp. 580-92, 595-6, 602, bottom 609-11, 618-26, 630-5

Study Questions for Episode 11 are:

  • Why did Reconstruction die?
  • Was it doomed from the start?

The Abolition School Radio podcast is a collaboration between Haymarket Books and the W.E.B. Du Bois Movement School for Abolition and Reconstruction.

Based in Philadelphia, the Du Bois Movement School provides revolutionary abolitionist, internationalist, intersectional, and participatory political education to a new generation of aspiring organizers and leaders. We believe everyone is an intellectual, and that there can be no abolition of carceral institutions without a broad process of social reconstruction. We study the world to change it!

Haymarket Books is a radical, independent book publisher and political education institution based in Chicago. Visit haymarketbooks.org to find radical books, virtual events, podcasts, and other political education resources, including the other seasons of Abolition School Radio.

Apr 8, 2026
Season 1 Episode 12

Class 12: Reading Black Reconstruction with Geo Maher

This is the final episode of our 12-part series Reading Black Reconstruction with Geo Maher.

Readings for Episode 12 are:

  • Ch. 15: “Founding the Public School” skim most but focus on 637-41, 667
  • Ch. 16: “Back Toward Slavery” esp. 670-4, 678-80, 692-709

Study Questions for Episode 12 are:

  • Why does Du Bois write an entire chapter on public education?
  • What does it mean to move “back toward slavery” and how does it complicate our understanding of history?

The Abolition School Radio podcast is a collaboration between Haymarket Books and the W.E.B. Du Bois Movement School for Abolition and Reconstruction.

Based in Philadelphia, the Du Bois Movement School provides revolutionary abolitionist, internationalist, intersectional, and participatory political education to a new generation of aspiring organizers and leaders. We believe everyone is an intellectual, and that there can be no abolition of carceral institutions without a broad process of social reconstruction. We study the world to change it!

Haymarket Books is a radical, independent book publisher and political education institution based in Chicago. Visit haymarketbooks.org to find radical books, virtual events, podcasts, and other political education resources, including the other seasons of Abolition School Radio.