On America: The Fantasy and Necessity of Solidarity with Sarah Schulman and Alexander Chee

Solidarity with the oppressed is one of the highest ideals in any fight against injustice—but following through often presents complications. In her searing new book The Fantasy and Necessity of Solidarity, award-winning writer and cultural critic Sarah Schulman delves into the intricate and often misunderstood concept of solidarity, offering a new, uplifting vision of what it means to engage in this work and why it matters.

Schulman presents a range of case studies throughout Solidarity, including the fight for abortion rights in post-Franco Spain, AIDS activism in 1990s New York City, recent campus protests against Israel’s war on Gaza, and her own experience growing up as a lesbian artist in male-dominated culture industries. As these topics move to the forefront of our lives, she offers a thought-provoking analysis of society, examining what is and isn’t working in today’s political movements, and presenting a clear-eyed—even hopeful—vision for the future.

Alexander Chee, the bestselling author of How to Write an Autobiographical Novel and The Queen of the Night, and veteran ACT-UP activist, will join Schulman in conversation. A signing will follow the event.