1. The connection Reid makes between the 1978–1992 “austerity period” at CUNY and the COVID-19 pandemic is the social distress that resulted from the particular policy. The international oil crisis of 1973 and the defeat of the U.S. military in Vietnam in 1975 ushered in a comprehensive privatization policy that was ostensibly designed to protect New York City from even more intense economic devastation and subsequent bankruptcy, but which oppressed ordinary people in many ways. The government eliminated free college education, leaving students to shoulder the burden of tuition, and they fired at least 5,000 teachers to save money. People already without food and housing security are now in increasing danger of unemployment and eviction. There are also many workers and teachers who have been laid off during today’s pandemic, and many are also facing an even greater crisis because they cannot afford the various debts.

2. Reed uses the term “death cult” to represent the effects of those privatizations that took away the progress CUNY made in the 20th century and made it necessary for everyone to work again. This has no effect on those who have money, but it adds to the burden of poor students. Students study on the premise of cheapness, which is the most important point. It takes away many opportunities and kills the hopes of many NYC students. Privatization has replaced many things, and the government’s focus has slowly shifted to money and power.

3. Reed suggests that anti-racism and anti-austerity groups need to come together faster and more decisively and develop a series of strong and effective protest movements that will allow them to be strong enough as a group to defeat anyone who stands in their way. Reed suggests that you not just follow orders in silence but think for yourself, actively seize every opportunity to share useful information and ideas with each other and then expand those ideas into the community.

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