“We’ve Been Here Before” at Manny’s in San Francisco

FILM SCREENING || TALK BACK || DJS

FEATURING EMMY-WINNING FILMMAKER JACOB KORNBLUTH & CIVIL RIGHTS STRATEGIST ERIC K. WARD IN CONVERSATION ABOUT SUBCULTURES, MOVEMENT BUILDING AND PLURALISTIC DEMOCRACY

FOLLOWED BY RECEPTION FEATURING LOCAL VINYL DJ’S PLAYING THE SOUNDTRACK OF OUR LIVES

We’ve Been Here Before: What the Punk Scene Can Teach Us About White Supremacy produced with Reboot Studios, is a deep dive into the punk subculture that fought back against White Nationalists and neo-Nazis, and the lessons they have to share with those fighting for an inclusive democracy today. 

This short documentary connects the dots between mass shootings, antisemitism, and the rise of hate violence in America by following Eric Ward, an expert on the relationship between authoritarian movements and hate violence who first encountered these forces as an anti-racist skinhead in the punk rock subculture.

Join us for a conversation with Ward, filmmaker Jacob Kornbluth, anti-hate skinhead Dion Garcia, musician Karina Deniké, punk and sound effects artist Ronni Brown, and anti-racist Crystal Magee for a personal and strategic discussion about the role of subcultures in the larger struggle against hate, moderated by journalist and professor Mark Danner. Reception with food and drinks to follow, featuring local vinyl DJs spinning vintage punk, soul, and reggae. Tickets are Required. Doors at 5:00, program at 5:30 p.m.

Featured Speakers

Jacob Kornbluth is an emmy-winning filmmaker who has directed 5 feature films. He was awarded a Special Jury Prize for excellence in Filmmaking from the Sundance Film Festival for his feature documentary Inequality For All. Jacob founded Inequality Media, with Robert Reich, which has been a “light house” brand for economic storytelling and played a crucial role in framing an economic case for policies in ways everyone can understand. His videos have been viewed over a billion times on social media.

Eric K. Ward, Executive Vice President of Race Forward, is a nationally-recognized expert on the relationship between authoritarian movements, hate violence, and preserving inclusive democracy. He brings over three decades of leadership in community organizing and philanthropy to Race Forward, having worked with leaders from government, law enforcement, business, and civil rights groups to advance civil rights work. Eric serves on the boards of several organizations and was the recipient of the 2021 Civil Courage Prize – the first American in the award’s 21-year history.

Ronni Brown is an Emmy-winning foley artist renowned for her contributions to blockbuster films, television shows, and video games produced by Lucasfilm. Emerging from the California punk scene during the early 1990s, she confronted varying degrees of hate violence, from verbal threats to physical altercations. Now, as she raises her Jewish children in an increasingly hostile world, Ronni is acutely aware of the alarming resurgence of hate and intolerance. She observes with concern as the same hateful ideology emerges into the mainstream, now with the help of technology.

Mark Danner has written about war and politics for three decades for The New Yorker, The New York Review of Books and other publications and is the author of The Massacre at El Mozote and five other books. He holds the Class of 1960 Distinguished Chair in Undergraduate Education at Berkeley and serves as a resident curator at the Telluride Film Festival. His writing has won many awards, including a National Magazine Award, three Overseas Press Awards, an Emmy, a Guggenheim and a MacArthur Fellowship.

Karina Deniké is a versatile, sought after vocalist, songwriter, collaborator and band leader who moves fluidly from intimate torch song chanteuse to soul singer, to punk powerhouse. “Deniké possesses a voice so rich and luxuriant she sounds like she was born to sing any song that comes her way”. (KQED’s California Report). Deniké has released over 30 albums as solo artist, band member or guest, been on major and independent labels: ( MCA, Warner/Discovery, Fat Wreck Chords, MoonSka, 510, Pink and Black, Portofranco, Hellcat), toured extensively worldwide, had her work on soundtracks and countless compilations.

Dion Garcia spent his youth and early adult years as an anti-hate Skinhead during the volatile years of the 80s & 90s, witnessing the evolution of the Skinhead and related scenes through today. During this time, Dion transitioned from serving in the military to becoming a tour manager for artists in the Reggae and Ska genres, globally. Through music and travel, he has witnessed the impact of hate groups and this global perspective has only reinforced his belief that hate groups pose a long-term risk to the people in the United States and beyond.

Crystal Magee is a life long participant and promoter of anti-racist subculture, having been involved in various anti racist organizations from  the late 80s and 90s until today, groups such as Anti Racist Action, that traveled the US to stop hate groups from organizing and recruiting young people in the punk and skinhead subculture. She believes there is still a lot of work to be done to eradicate hate groups from our current society and is an important conversation that must keep happening. In her spare time she helps rescue cats and enjoys collecting records and going to concerts with her son.

Featured DJs

DJ Mini is an SF-based DJ playing 1960s Jamaican reggae, Northern Soul, and 2Tone ska, and was part of the LA punk and ska scenes of the 1990s.

DJ Damon is a Bay Area Native involved with many facets & subgenera’s of the Punk Scene since the late 80’s. He works in the vinyl & music industry as a vinyl manufacturer, record label, and promoter.

DJ Alvin is the product of the Bay Area punk ska and soul scene. He loves Northern soul and is a proud member of the Black Sheep Scooter Club. He is working on his dissertation to study belonging amongst trans undergraduates of color at Catholic universities. Also he loves dogs and rugby.

Presented by Reboot and supported by the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund