May 2025 Social Theory Book Club

Welcome to the May 2025 Social Theory Book Club!

Come join us for an engaging discussion on:

Cobalt Red: How the Blood of the Congo Powers Our Lives by Siddharth Kara

Cobalt is an essential component to every lithium-ion rechargeable battery made today, the batteries that power our smartphones, tablets, laptops, and electric vehicles. Roughly 75 percent of the world’s supply of cobalt is mined in the Congo, often by peasants and children in sub-human conditions. Billions of people in the world cannot conduct their daily lives without participating in a human rights and environmental catastrophe in the Congo.

Cobalt Red is a book by Siddharth Kara, an activist and researcher on modern slavery. The book exposes of the immense toll taken on the people and environment of the Democratic Republic of the Congo by cobalt mining, as told through the testimonies of the Congolese people themselves.

Whether you're a skilled reader or just starting out, this is a space to delve into thought-provoking ideas and connect with others wanting to engage in political and social theory.

This meeting is in person, to nurture vibrant conversations and a dynamic exchange of ideas to foster a sense of community.

We encourage you to review what the text is saying as you work through the book on your own. Take notes on what you're unsure of, what you think the author is trying to say, and what you agree or disagree with.

Every person's understanding and input during the meeting will help shape the dialogue and create value out of our discussion. You will never be the only person who might be confused or who finds the text difficult. If you find the book too challenging and you do not finish, it is still encouraged that you come to the meeting. It's okay if you think you don't understand it, because you'll come to book club and learn as much as you can! If you have interest in the topic, you most likely have experiences or knowledge that would still be a welcomed addition to the conversation.

Additional readings:

The Congo: From Leopold to Kabila: A People's History by Georges Nzongola-Ntalaja

King Leopold's Ghost: A Story of Greed, Terror, and Heroism in Colonial Africa by Adam Hochschild

Dancing in the Glory of Monsters: The Collapse of the Congo and the Great War of Africa by Jason K. Stearns

Additional readings will be included for each month if people want to expand their understanding and knowledge on a particular topic. If possible, other types of media may be shared as well. None of the additional materials will be necessary to understand the discussion at the book club meeting and are purely supplemental for members to further one's own knowledge on topics.

Mark your calendars and get ready for our May meeting for the Social Theory Book Club!

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