Economic Update with Richard D. Wolff

Episode: Social Movement Gains in LA

Date: December 3, 2020

Episode Overview

In this episode, host Richard D. Wolff delivers his signature analysis of the socio-economic crises exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and explores how alternative economic systems and grassroots activism can offer real, systemic solutions. The central focus is a deep-dive conversation with activist Nikki Okuk about the ongoing grassroots-led struggle surrounding Los Angeles’ Crenshaw Mall—a fight emblematic of broader dynamics of gentrification, economic justice, community wealth-building, and the possibilities of cooperative ownership as a transformative force.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Failures of the U.S. Economic System during COVID-19

[00:10–06:23]

• Wolff criticizes how the U.S. capitalist system was unprepared for and failed to contain COVID-19 compared to less wealthy, yet better-prepared nations.
• Soaring unemployment is dissected; nearly half the labor force is directly or indirectly suffering from joblessness or underemployment.
• Wolff laments a lack of bold action, reminding listeners of the 1930s federal jobs program and suggesting similar public works could address both unemployment and societal needs.
• Quote: “We're not getting anything back. We're not having those people do useful work, which ironically is what they want… That's an economic system that fails.” — Richard D. Wolff, [04:42]

2. U.S.–China Economic Tensions

[06:24–11:24]

• Remarks on Trump’s order banning U.S. citizens from owning shares in certain Chinese military-linked companies, branding it ineffective and potentially setting a dangerous precedent.
• Highlights the irony and futility as the U.S. simultaneously pays “tens of billions” in interest annually to China, which can then support its military.
• Quote: “You're not cutting off the military, you're in fact financing it.” — Richard D. Wolff, [10:20]
• Notes China’s leadership in the new Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, covering 30% of global trade.

3. Growing Momentum for Worker Cooperatives

[11:25–13:39]

• Highlights a recent global manifesto on democratizing work (democratizingwork.com), signaling growing academic and grassroots interest in worker control and co-ops.
• Harvard's Julie Battilana is named as a key U.S. advocate.
• Quote: “The notion of worker co-ops ... is spreading. We have more allies than you may have thought.” — Richard D. Wolff, [12:29]

4. Anti-Public Goods Policies in Education

[13:40–15:45]

• Reports on English government’s “Higher Education Restructuring Regime” using profit metrics to shutter universities rather than support them, drawing parallels to U.S. cuts in healthcare and warning of dangerous under-preparedness for future crises.
• Quote: “We're going to be unprepared for much if we cut back our higher education.” — Richard D. Wolff, [14:56]

In-Depth Interview: Nikki Okuk on the Crenshaw Mall Fight

Introducing Nikki Okuk

[16:00]

• South Central LA resident, cooperative organizer, Black Lives Matter activist
• Leading a community bid to buy/redevelop the 40-acre Crenshaw Mall via a cooperative, community-wealth model (downtowncrenshaw.com)

The Struggle for Crenshaw Mall

[16:11–19:13]

• Outlines how the CIM Group and later Live Work (linked to Kushner) sought to develop luxury condos/retail in a historically Black neighborhood.
• Community organized quickly—hundreds joining Zoom calls, forming a coalition and stopping the initial sale.
• Ongoing struggle as sellers attempt to circumvent community, offering the mall to other gentrifying developers.
• Quote: “All of us have lived here, have passed it every day of our lives. And we thought, nobody can have this but us. It belongs to us…” — Nikki Okuk, [20:35]

Notable Moments:

• “We can have social impact investors involved. That's been driven entirely by volunteers and donations.” — Nikki Okuk, [17:55]
• “They have the same plans for our community, and our community has different plans.” — Nikki Okuk, [18:59]

Why the Movement Succeeded in Rallying People

[19:13–21:23]

• Rooted in decades of Black community organizing and anti-gentrification activism.
• Black Lives Matter further mobilized and politicized residents.
• Decades of local study, coalition-building, and previous envisioning of cooperative models (e.g., Mondragon) set the groundwork.
• Quote: “This is decades of groundwork and organizing... all of that work really just came to a head.” — Nikki Okuk, [19:52]

Can the Community Win?

[21:23–22:34]

• Okuk believes in the movement's capacity to continue repelling profit-driven developers.
• Leverages political pressure, especially via local councilmember Marques Dawson.
• Persistent protests and engagement are key strategies.

Relationship with Labor

[22:34–23:49]

• Strong overlap between community and union organizers in South Central LA.
• Union partnerships previously led to “local hire” clauses, though developers often subverted them; now, the focus is on building models that truly circulate wealth and opportunities within the community.
• Quote: “If the way that we have done things in the past has not worked... then we have to think seriously about creating the systems that will.” — Nikki Okuk, [23:49]

Small Victories as Movement Builders

[23:49–26:14]

• Each delay, rally, and forced reconsideration by developers reinvigorates supporters and proves change is possible.
• High ongoing participation—hundreds at regular organizing meetings—demonstrates growing grassroots engagement and sustainability.
• Quote: “I think that what we've built here... will stand in good stead for many, many years to come and in many, many other projects outside of downtown Crenshaw.” — Nikki Okuk, [25:27]

What’s Next—How to Help

[26:14–28:16]

• Urges listeners to sign the online petition, now set up to automatically email key decision-makers.
• Movement urgently needs fundraising—calls for small donors and socially-conscious investors.
• Stresses this fight is about a broader framework for democratic economic control and community-led development everywhere.
• Quote: “What we're building is a framework that won't just be for this mall… it is a framework for how democratic economies can and should work.” — Nikki Okuk, [28:04]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “You're not cutting off the military, you're in fact financing it.” — Richard D. Wolff, [10:20]
• “All of us have lived here, have passed it every day of our lives. And we thought, nobody can have this but us. It belongs to us and we have to continue to fight for it…” — Nikki Okuk, [20:35]
• “This is decades of groundwork and organizing... all of that work really just came to a head.” — Nikki Okuk, [19:52]
• “If you can win even some modest victory... these are the kinds of victories that you can then build on because they give people a feeling... that there is a possibility.” — Richard D. Wolff, [24:13]
• “What we're building is a framework that won't just be for this mall… it is a framework for how democratic economies can and should work.” — Nikki Okuk, [28:04]

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-----------|-----------------------------------------------| | 00:10 | Systemic critique: COVID, economy, unemployment | | 06:24 | Trump’s order on Chinese shares & China policy | | 11:25 | Worker co-ops, global “Democratizing Work” push | | 13:40 | Higher education cuts in UK | | 16:11 | Introduction of Nikki Okuk and Crenshaw Mall fight | | 19:13 | Roots and groundwork for successful mobilization| | 21:23 | Prospects and tactics for victory | | 22:34 | Labor movement and coalition-building | | 23:49 | The importance of small victories and community engagement | | 26:14 | Next steps, calls to action, and broader implications |

Conclusion

This episode juxtaposes the broad failures of the U.S. economic system with the grassroots power and vision of community-led economics, as exemplified by Nikki Okuk and the Downtown Crenshaw coalition. Their work is portrayed not just as a fight for a neighborhood mall, but as a model for reclaiming urban spaces, building democratic economies, and sowing the seeds for systemic change across the country.