On June 29th, 2025, the Sam and Esther Dolgoff Institute (SEDI) hosted historian Tom Goyens for a compelling talk on the life and legacy of Johann Most, the infamous yet often misunderstood figure of early anarchism. Drawing on his forthcoming scholarly biography from the University of Illinois Press—the first of its kind in English—Goyens traced Most's evolution from a German social democrat to a pioneering anarchist agitator in the United States.

Far more than a caricature of anarchist bomb-throwing, Johann Most emerges in this discussion as a transnational figure shaped by exile, prison, and propaganda. Goyens highlights Most’s role in mentoring figures like Emma Goldman and Alexander Berkman, editing the long-running Freiheit newspaper, and wrestling with questions of violence, aesthetics, and political strategy. The talk also explores Most’s ideological transformation, his theatrical flair, and his enduring influence on American and European radical movements—even as his image was vilified in the press and sidelined by history.

Tom Goyens is the author of Beer and Revolution and a contributor to the study of immigrant radicalism, anarchist print culture, and transatlantic political currents. His forthcoming anthology of Most’s writings will help reintroduce a neglected voice into contemporary debates on anarchism and political violence.

This event was part of SEDI’s ongoing speaker series, bringing together radical thinkers, organizers, and historians to deepen our understanding of the past and sharpen our interventions in the present.

The Sam and Esther Dolgoff Institute:
https://www.dolgoffinstitute.com/

Explore Tom Goyens’ work:
https://theanarchistlibrary.org/category/author/tom-goyens

Pre-Order on Amazon - Johann Most: Life of a Radical:
https://a.co/d/hIKBIB7

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On May 25th, 2025, the Sam and Esther Dolgoff Institute (SEDI) hosted philosopher, poet, and long-time New Orleans anarchist John Clark—also known by the pen name Max Cafard—for a wide-ranging discussion on his latest book, Anarchy in the Big Easy. Drawing from decades of experience in radical theory and grassroots activism, Clark offered a deeply personal and politically provocative portrait of New Orleans as a site of ecological struggle, cultural resistance, and libertarian possibility.

John Clark is the author of numerous works including The Impossible Community, The Tragedy of Common Sense, and Between Earth and Empire. His writings under the name Max Cafard have appeared widely in anarchist and ecological publications, and he is a founding figure in the New Orleans-based Institute for the Radical Imagination.

This event was part of SEDI’s ongoing speaker series, bringing together radical thinkers, organizers, and historians to deepen our understanding of the past and sharpen our interventions in the present. Most talks are not recorded, but SEDI is working to make more of these vital conversations accessible to wider audiences.

The Sam and Esther Dolgoff Institute:
https://www.dolgoffinstitute.com/

Read Anarchy in the Big Easy:
http://pmpress.org/index.php?l=product_detail&p=1766

Explore John Clark / Max Cafard’s writings:
https://theanarchistlibrary.org/category/author/john-clark

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On April 27th, 2025, the Sam and Esther Dolgoff Institute (SEDI) hosted journalist and antifascist theorist Shane Burley for a talk titled “The Trump Drive to Fascism.” Drawing from his extensive work on far-right movements, Shane explored the evolving landscape of American authoritarianism, the ideological currents that fuel Trumpism, and the historical stakes for anti-fascist and anarchist resistance. With an eye toward both theory and strategy, Shane examined how contemporary fascist movements operate, the convergence between state power and street-level reaction, and the role that anarchists and other radicals can play in resisting the next phase of far-right resurgence.

Shane Burley is the author of Fascism Today: What It Is and How to End It, a frequent contributor to Truthout, Jewish Currents, and The Baffler, and a leading voice on fascism, white nationalism, and antifascist organizing.

This was part of SEDI’s ongoing speaker series, where they bring together radical thinkers, organizers, and historians to deepen our understanding of the past and sharpen our interventions in the present. Most talks are not recorded, but they are now working to make more of these critical conversations publicly available.

The Sam and Esther Dolgoff Institute:
https://www.dolgoffinstitute.com/

Shane Burley's Work:
Website: https://www.shaneburley.org/
Anarchist Library: https://theanarchistlibrary.org/category/author/shane-burley

Sam and Esther Dolgoff Archive:
https://theanarchistlibrary.org/category/author/sam-dolgoff

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🛠️ Support my work: https://www.patreon.com/cyberdandy

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