Joe Clement speaks with David Graeber, professor, author and activist, about his book, Debt: The First 5,000 Years. Graeber shows that 5,000 years ago, during the beginning of the agrarian empires, humans have used elaborate credit systems. It is in this era, Graeber shows, that we also first encounter a society divided into debtors and creditors.

With the passage of time, however, virtual credit money was replaced by gold and silver coins—and the system as a whole began to decline. Interest rates spiked and the indebted became slaves. And the system perpetuated itself with tremendously violent consequences, with only the rare intervention of kings and churches keeping the system from spiraling out of control.

David Graeber speaks in Portland, Tuesday January 24th at 8pm, at The Alberta Rose Theatre. The event is presented by Reading Frenzy.

DAVID GRAEBER teaches anthropology at Goldsmiths College, University of London. He is the author of Fragments of an Anarchist Anthropology, Toward an Anthropological Theory of Value, Lost People, and Possibilities: Essays on Hierarchy, Rebellion, and Desire. He has written for Harper's, The Nation, Mute, and The New Left Review.

More information about Debt: The First 5,000 Years is available at Books on KBOO

"as we approach the official celebration of martin luther king jr.'s life, we spend another year of reflection on what the dream he spoke of means to us.  in the midst of this conversation, we tend to neglect his observations on the injustices of war and economic equalities- issues which still resonate to this day. 

join us as we feature portions of dr. king's speeches regarding economic autonomy, the connections between racial injustice and war; and the need to move beyond a dream into a reality."

John Trudell is an acclaimed poet, national recording artist, actor and activist whose international following reflects the universal language of his words, work and message. Trudell (Santee Sioux) was a spokesperson for the Indian of All Tribes occupation of Alcatraz Island from 1969 to 1971. He then worked with the American Indian Movement (AIM), serving as Chairman of AIM from 1973 to 1979. In February of 1979, a fire of unknown origin killed Trudell's wife, three children and mother-in-law. It was through this horrific tragedy that Trudell began to find his voice as an artist and poet, writing, in his words, "to stay connected to this reality."

In 1982, Trudell began recording his poetry to traditional Native music and in 1983 he released his debut album Tribal Voice on his own Peace Company label. Trudell then teamed up with the late legendary Kiowa guitarist Jesse Ed Davis. Together, they recorded three albums during the 1980's. The first of these, AKA Graffiti Man, was released in 1986 and dubbed the best album of the year by Bob Dylan. AKA Graffiti Man served early notice of Trudell's singular ability to express fundamental truths through a unique mix of poetry, Native music, blues and rock.

Presswatch & A Deeper Look  join together for this Thanksgiving Day Special: Occupy Portland; A Mess or a Success? Hosts Theresa Mitchell and Linda Olson-Osterlund will be joined in the Studio by Kate, an Occupy camper and young mother. Call in to join the discussion.