Michael Parenti

An archive of speeches by this insightful author/researcher about how our societal institutions no longer serve us – Themes are: Globalization, US Intervention, Racism, the Media the cost of Empire and a discourse on Julius Caesar, rebel or dictator?

Michael Parenti: Civil Liberties In The 21St Century

By Michael Parenti Films on DVD

In his November 2009 lecture at the University of Hartford Dr. Michael Parenti answers intriguing questions about democracy. Is US democracy a result of capitalism as some claim – or does it exist – such as it is – in spite of the current economic system. AND did the founding fathers even envision a democratic system – and why were so many of them opposed to democracy.
Parenti is one of the nation’s leading progressive political analysts. This is part one of his one hour lecture. He was introduced by the President of the University of Hartford, Walter Harrison. After receiving his Ph.D. in political science from Yale Parenti has taught at colleges and universities, in the United States and abroad. [ . . . ]

Read More

Michael Parenti: God And His Demons

By Michael Parenti Films on DVD

This is Dr. Michael Parenti’s first talk on his most recent book: God and His Demons. The 2010 book covers the many evils committed in the name of godly virtue throughout history, and the threat posed by fundamentalists and theocratic reactionaries.
Parenti is one of the nation’s leading progressive political analysts. He is a prolific author and an engaging speaker. Parenti grew up in a conservative, catholic, working class Italian community in New York city. After receiving his Ph.D. in political science from Yale he has taught at colleges and universities, in the United States and abroad. He risked and ended his academic career when he openly opposed the war on Vietnam. He serves on the board of judges for Project [ . . . ]

Read More

Michael Parenti: Diversity And Orthodoxy In The News Media

By Michael Parenti Films on DVD

This August 28, 2008 analysis of the media is Parenti’s most up-to-date contribution. He gave the keynote speech for the Modern Media Censorship lectures by Project Censored. Each year Project Censored gives awards for the most censored news stories of the year. Parenti lists important criteria by which to judge media bias, ranging from ownership to labeling, false objectivity and sensationalism, omission, outright lies and the denial of causality with the famous theory of “stuff happens”.
Michael Parenti has written and lectured on the mainstream media for decades. His key book on the topic is “Inventing Reality – The politics of the News Media.” With roots in a working class Italian district of New York and a Ph.D. in political science [ . . . ]

Read More

Michael Parenti: Contrary Notions

By Michael Parenti Films on DVD

City Light books in San Francisco’s North Beach was filled to capacity for the book party of Michael Parenti’s most recent work: Contrary Notions. This is a rich selection from the writings of a life time on history, empire, wealth, class power, ideology and much more. Parenti goes where few political analysts dare to go and – with acerbic wit –  makes transparent how he arrives at his conclusions. This excerpt of his 45 minute talk addresses taboo subjects such as the murder of the town of New Orleans and 9/11.
This is a highly professional recording by Brightpath Video of Parenti in an intimate book store setting on January 22, 2008.
code MP046DVD: To order as film on DVD: Read More

Michael Parenti: Stop The Spray

By Michael Parenti Films on DVD

Parenti weighs in on the Apple Moth eradication
What do Homeland Security and FEMA have to do with the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s plans to spray the San Francisco Bay Area with pesticides? Is this more dangerous to us and our rights than to the light brown apple moth? Parenti says that 50 other states have plans for similar  eradication programs – so this is NOT a local issue.
Includes a 6 minute documentary of the Golden Gate Bridge march against spraying of the Bay Area.
code MP045DVD: To order as 42 minute film on DVD: $14.00

Michael Parenti: Race, Gender And Class Struggle

By Michael Parenti Films on DVD

Discussion of racism is usually a discussion about personal attitudes – not of the larger system of power that sustains and feeds institutional and systemic racism and sexism. Racism and sexism have historically served a number of real functions: they have created a surplus workforce and they have divided those who find themselves at the bottom of the social power structure.
In this talk Michael Parenti asks the important question: How were racism and sexism used by employers, colonial powers, the CIA and even by some on the Left to maintain the existing order. Recorded in Arcata, CA, April 9, 2006
code MP041DVD: To order a DVD click here: $14.00