Cynthia Kaufman

Author: Cynthia Kaufman

Cynthia Kaufman is the Director of the Vasconcellos Institute for Democracy in Action De Anza College where she also teaches Philosophy. She is the author of four books on social change: Challenging Power; Democracy and Accountability in a Fractured World (Bloomsbury 2020); The Sea is Rising and So are We: A Climate Justice Handbook (PM Press 2021); Getting Past Capitalism: History, Vision, Hope (Lexington Books 2012) and Ideas for Action: Relevant Theory for Radical Change (2nd Edition PM Press 2016). She is a lifelong social change activist, having worked on issues such as tenants’ rights, police abuse, union organizing, international politics, and most recently climate change. She received her PhD and M.A. in Philosophy from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and her B.A. in Development Studies from University of California, Berkeley.

November 24, 2021 Cynthia Kaufman civil rights, racism, criminal legal system

Rittenhouse’s Acquittal is an Endorsement of Critical Race Theory

The acquittal of Kyle Rittenhouse is a powerful endorsement of critical race theory. We all know that no one is teaching critical race theory in the K-12 system. The current discussions of Critical Race Theory (CRT) are the result of a tried-and-true right-wing strategy to create weird forms of cathexis where they link the name … Continue reading Rittenhouse’s Acquittal is an Endorsement of Critical Race Theory

August 13, 2021 Cynthia Kaufman capitalism, climate change

Consumerism, Inequality, and the Climate Crisis

Is it possible to build a society where people have enough to live well and also feel that they have enough? Or are we doomed as a species to stay on the hedonic treadmill that keeps us wanting more consumer goods, even as we destroy the natural world to get those things? Are we doomed … Continue reading Consumerism, Inequality, and the Climate Crisis

August 13, 2021 Cynthia Kaufman Uncategorized

What Does it Feel Like to Be White?

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June 9, 2021June 9, 2021 Cynthia Kaufman climate change

Is Reinvestment a Good Strategy for the Fossil Fuel Divestment Movement?

Fossil fuel divestment is emerging as a powerful strategy in the fight against climate change. Right now there are hundreds of campaigns in the US as well as globally. Despite the movements' successes, there is much confusion about the roles of politics and economics in divestment work. It is crucial that we keep our focus … Continue reading Is Reinvestment a Good Strategy for the Fossil Fuel Divestment Movement?

May 22, 2021June 9, 2021 Cynthia Kaufman capitalism, climate change, racism

Racism, Capitalism, and the Climate Crisis

For the past few years, I have worked with Fossil Free California, a mostly white group, trying to get the gigantic California pension funds to divest from fossil fuels. Two years ago, we embarked on an internal process to look at how race and racism operate within our organization. We started to question how a … Continue reading Racism, Capitalism, and the Climate Crisis

May 18, 2021June 9, 2021 Cynthia Kaufman climate change

Investing in Destruction: California Teachers Pension Money Should Not Be Funding Line 3

Environmental organizers across the country are converging in Northern Minnesota in support of Indigenous Water Protectors, to stop the construction of the Line 3 pipeline expansion. Across the country, people are protesting, sending letters, and making calls to demand that President Biden shut down the construction of Line 3 just as he called for the … Continue reading Investing in Destruction: California Teachers Pension Money Should Not Be Funding Line 3

May 18, 2021June 9, 2021 Cynthia Kaufman capitalism, climate change, disruption

The System Will Not Solve the Climate Crisis Without a Push: That’s Where You Come in

This is an all hands-on-deck moment where civil society, that means you and I, need to throw everything we have into changing the politics of business as usual Bill Gates is the most recent billionaire to write a book on what needs to be done to solve the climate crisis. The point of his book, … Continue reading The System Will Not Solve the Climate Crisis Without a Push: That’s Where You Come in

May 18, 2021June 9, 2021 Cynthia Kaufman climate change

Who Funds the Climate Crisis?

First the good news: The technology needed for a carbon-free economy in every country in the world already exists. It is affordable, most of it will make our lives better, and making that transition rapidly would cost less than cleaning up the disasters anticipated by inaction on climate.Now the not so good news: To achieve … Continue reading Who Funds the Climate Crisis?