Marina Sitrin
Marina Sitrin is a writer, lawyer, teacher and dreamer. She is the editor of Horizontalism: Voices of Popular Power in Argentina (2006 AK Press; 2005 Spanish edition Chilavert). In 2007, Horizontalism was Chosen by Rebecca Solnit for her "Secret Library of Hope: 12 Books to Stiffen Your Resolve." A new and expanded version of Horizontalism is forthcoming, entitled: Dreaming Without Limits: Horizontalism and Autonomy in Argentina. Marina is co-editor of Insurgent Democracies: Latin America’s New Powers (2010, City Lights Press). She has spent the past year working in Cuba while writing a book on contemporary life there. Marina’s work has been published in The International Journal of Comparative Sociology, Znet, Yes! Magazine, Upping the Anti, Journal of Aesthetics and Protest, Alternet, and Prensa Latina, among others. She speaks regularly at universities, community centers, home salons and conferences.
Marina is available to give talks such as:
- Argentina – from Economic Crisis to Rebellion and Creation: The popular rebellion that began in December 2001 in Argentina with the IMF melt-down and subsequent capital flight sparked a process of creativity that continues to this day. Many have come to call this new social relationship, “horizontalidad.” Marina lived in Argentina documenting these movements for the years after the rebellion and continues to spend time there. Her talk will focus on what is new and innovative in Argentina as well as some of the challenges facing the movements.
- Insurgent Democracies in Latin America: While the mainstream media news is that of war and violations of human rights, resulting in feelings of despair and impotence, there is another story, a story not being told, and it is one of empowerment and inspiration. Millions of people in Latin America over the past ten years have been retaking their lives and communities. New forms of democracy are being created in neighborhoods, factories, clinics, schools, on occupied land, and sometimes in government. Marina Sitrin has spent extended time with, and written about, these new movements and governments throughout Latin America. Her talk will reflect these inspirational new movements as well as the many challenges they face.
- Cuba on the Edge – Heaven or Hell? Both and everything in between is what Marina Sitrin will talk about in her presentation on the history of Cuba, and most specifically Cuba today. Marina lived and worked in Cuba from 2008 to 2009. She has family in Habana and has spent extended periods of time there. One of the many things occurring in Cuba today is an increasing movement towards a more participatory socialism and self managed economy. This talk will address how and where this is taking place, and raise the questions of social change and revolution from the inside.
