Marc Moscato has put up online a great short video he made about the life of Chicago anarchist Ben Reitman, lover of Emma Goldman and biographer of Boxcar Bertha. I grabbed the code and embedded it here, so take a couple minutes and watch this amazing slice of radical American history!!!
Here’s what Marc has to say about the piece:
The More Things Stay The Same examines the life and world of Dr. Ben Reitman (1879-1942), known in his day as “the Clap Doctor”, “King of the Hoboes” and “the most vulgar man in America”. It forms an endearing portrait of Reitman’s colorful life, and investigates the cultural and social context of his times. From labor unrest to sex education to the genesis of the homeless crisis in America, Reitman’s work continues to have importance and relevance to the hard-hitting issues of today. The More Things Stay The Same not only sheds new light on this lost but vital slice of underground Americana, but also provides an urgent rallying cry for the present.
