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As the inspiration for the Rolling Stones’ 1968 anthem “Street Fighting Man” and a former comrade of the late John Lennon, British Pakistani writer, historian and filmmaker Tariq Ali knows a thing or two about dissent.
“Tariq ranks among the foremost critics of U.S. foreign policy,” says David Barsamian, founder/director of Alternative Radio and co-author (with Ali) of 2005’s Speaking of Empire and Resistance. “He’s a dynamic speaker and knows a lot. He’s what you call in Indian English an ‘all-arounder.’ He’s a Renaissance type: He writes operas and novels; he did film and TV documentary; he’s hosted programs on British television; he’s written many serious political books. He’s quite an extraordinary figure.”
Ali’s most recent tome, Pirates of the Caribbean: Axis of Hope, examines the Bolivarian revolution in Venezuela and the polarizing effect that Hugo Chavez’s social-democratic reforms have had on South America. He is also a regular contributor to the Guardian and the London Review of Books, and an editor of the New Left Review.
“This is a rare opportunity to hear one of the leading voices of dissent in the world today,” adds Barsamian. “I can’t say that he’ll ever come back to Boulder; this is probably his first and only appearance here. I wouldn’t miss it.”
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Ali will speak and sign Pirates to benefit KGNU community radio at 7 p.m. tonight at First United Methodist Church, 1421 Spruce Street in Boulder. Tickets are $10 for KGNU members and $15 for the general public. Get more information at www.kgnu.org or by calling 303-449-4885.
Sun., March 4, 7 p.m.
