Chris Cutrone

Chris Cutrone is a college educator, writer, and media artist, committed to critical thinking and artistic practice and the politics of social emancipation. ( . . . )

Articles by month

Article dates

July 2025
S M T W T F S
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728293031  

Chris Cutrone in Braver Angels debate on Progressivism

Join the Braver Angels National Debates Team on August 22nd for a Coliseum Debate, a panel chaired by parliamentary procedure, on the resolution: “Resolved: Progressivism is a Force for Good in American Democracy.”

This event will take place in person at Chicago’s Sulzer Regional Library and will also beĀ livestreamed via our Youtube Channel. To join the livestream on Thursday, August 22nd at 5pm Eastern Time, please click theĀ link!

This will be a thoughtful and eloquent conversation, featuring the expertise and insight of a unique mix of local leaders and national thinkers from the friends of the Braver Angels community, with the perspectives of civic activism, political journalism, and historical reflection on the phenomenon of progressivism in America in 2024. Themes will include the DNC’s being held in Chicago, the future of the party system and especially the Democratic Party, the styles of progressivism in their red and blue forms, and the Upper Midwest’s unique role in political movements in American history.

Braver Angels Debates, in all their forms, including the Coliseum style, are meant to bring out the highest versions of arguments for as many sides of a question, and from as many modes of understanding, as possible, and to place them in productive conflict with each other. At best they become microcosms of the national discourse, in all its complexity and contradiction, but leavened and enlightened by goodwill, curiosity, and courage.

Luke Nathan Phillips of Braver Angels will serve as chair. The speakers include:

Osita Nwanevu, Contributing Editor at The New Republic

James Cappleman, Former Member of the Chicago City Council

Jessica Motsinger, former grassroots organizer for Indivisible Illinois

Lauren Harper Pope, Co-Founder, The Welcome PAC

Benjamin Studebaker, author of “The Chronic Crisis of American Democracy”

Chris Cutrone, former organizer for the Platypus Affiliated Society

Frank DiStefano, author of “The Next Realignment”

Jessie Mannisto, former organizer for the Democratic Socialists of America

Audience members will be encouraged to ask questions, along with the speakers.

This debate will be held in-person at the Chicago Public Library’s Sulzer Regional Library’s Large Community Room, from 4-6pm on August 22nd. It will also be livestreamed via the Braver Angels YouTube channel. Guests are encouraged to register ahead of time, and the Braver Angels Illinois and Chicago leaders will host a nominee speech watch party after the debate ends.

Chris Cutrone with Doug Lain and Ashley Frawley on the need for a new socialist party

Chris Cutrone discusses his pre-political project, the Campaign for a socialist party in the U.S., with Doug Lain and Ashley Frawley. In this week’s Sublation Media stream we re-evaluate the “culture war” as a form of “catch-all” politics, and announce our intention to create a proto-party internationally.

11 Theses on the Campaign for a socialist party in the U.S.:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/GpwweuY7da1fYvZe/

Chris Cutrone with Doug Lain on neo-Stalinism and 2024 U.S. elections

The CutroneZone in the Parrot Room: Chris Cutrone and Douglas Lain discuss neo-Stalinism, MAGA Communism, Carlos Garrido of Midwestern Marx, and Doug’s conversation with Caleb Maupin and Peter Coffin. Public segment: Chris Cutrone and Douglas Lain discuss their plans to make a film about the 2024 Democratic and Republican Party conventions. They discuss the films Medium Cool (1969) and Robert Downey Jr.’s The Last Party (1992) as potential influences.