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.

September 27, 2022 Cynthia Kaufman climate change, racism

We Can Solve the Climate Crisis Without Worrying About Population

I am working on a book that argues that the world has enough for everyone. To get to that world of enough, we need better ways to organize society such that the politics of profit aren’t driving social, economic, and political decision making. One of the reviews I received on my manuscript took me to … Continue reading We Can Solve the Climate Crisis Without Worrying About Population

January 4, 2022January 17, 2022 Cynthia Kaufman climate change

Shifting Wasteful Consumption

In San Mateo County California, where I live, advocates worked hard to create a new public electricity supplier that would provide everyone electricity from renewable sources at no extra cost. I turn off the light when I leave a room, but my personal carefulness does not come close to the impact of the work people … Continue reading Shifting Wasteful Consumption

December 28, 2021 Cynthia Kaufman racism, review

Jewish Trauma and Christian Redemption in Shine

jewish-trauma-and-christian-redemption-in-shine-sr-1999Download

December 28, 2021 Cynthia Kaufman racism, review, whiteness

The Making and Unmaking of Whiteness

the-making-and-unmaking-of-whiteness-conference-report-sr-1996Download

November 24, 2021January 17, 2022 Cynthia Kaufman civil rights, criminal legal system, racism

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?

what-does-it-feel-like-to-be-whiteDownload