It Did Happen Here: An Antifascist People’s History compiled by Moe Bostern, Mic Crenshaw, Alec Dunn, Celina Flores, Julie Perini and Erin Yanke

My Podcast Role

  • Executive Producer, Interviewer, Announcer, Editor of audio and show notes, Archival Research, Social Media Management

Collaborators

  • Mic Crenshaw - Co-Producer, Interviewer, Host

  • Celina Flores - Co-Producer, Interviewer, Host

  • Moe Bowstern - Writer of Narration and Show Notes

  • Alec Dunn - Writer of Narration, Editor, Sound Designer

  • Julie Perini - Archival Research, Social Media Management

It Did Happen Here is an independently produced podcast that documents the fight against racist white skinheads in the 1980’s and 90’s. The 11 episodes (and many bonus episodes) feature interviews with many people who worked together in those days and reveal the unlikely collaboration between groups of immigrants, civil rights activists, militant youth and queer organizers who came together to successfully confront neo-nazi violence and right wing organizing in the Rose City.

The podcast talks to three core groups: the Portland chapter of Anti Racist Action; SHARP- Skinheads Against Racial Prejudice; and the Coalition for Human Dignity. Using a diversity of tactics—from out-and-out brawls on the streets and at punk shows, to behind-the-scenes intelligence gathering—brave antiracists unified on their home ground over and over, directly attacking right-wing fascists and exposing white nationalist organizations and neo-Nazi skinheads. Embattled by police and unsupported by the city, these citizen activists eventually drove the boneheads out of the music scene and off the streets of Portland. This book shares their stories about what worked, what didn’t, and ideas on how to continue the fight.

It Did Happen Here

podcast and book

episode one: setting the scene In the late 1980s, Portland was a known haven for racist skinheads. They roamed the core of Portland unhindered. This episode is about Portland back then, in the before, when Portland was a skinhead stomping ground.
episode two: the murder of Mulugeta Seraw Late one night in November 1988 racist skinheads attacked a group of Ethiopian immigrants in the working class Kerns neighborhood of Southeast Portland. 28-year-old Mulugeta Seraw died from his wounds infli
episode 3: building community defense At the end of 1988 racist skinheads flexed power on the streets and in the show spaces of Portland. This episode is about Portlanders who came together in response to neo-nazi violence after the 1988 murder of M
episode 4: the Minneapolis baldies and Anti Racist Action In this episode, we join narrator Mic Crenshaw and his old friends Jason Nevilles aka Jay aka Gator, Marty, Nissa and Jibari - all midwestern anti racist skinheads. They were interviewed to t
episode 5: they thought we were everywhere: Portland ARA In this episode we return to the Rose City as Portland punks solidify an anti-fascist stance and square off. No more mingling with spiky-haired punks one night and racist skinheads the next; t
episode 6: house defense In Episode 6, members of the Coalition for Human Dignity (CHD) describe defense strategies. Working together with ARA, SHARP, individuals and families under threat from racist skinhead violence they co-developed the support
episode 7: a research capacity: The work of the CHD In Episode Seven we learn about the surveillance wing of the Coalition for Human Dignity. Interviews were with Jason, Devin Burghart, Jonathan Mozzochi, Leonard Zeskind, Abby Layton, Steven Gardine
episode 8: SHARPer times In this episode we hear from the former SkinHeads Against Racial Prejudice. SHARPs share their experiences on how they came to hold the front lines in the fight against neo-Nazi violence on the streets of Portland. Featured
episode 9: the Jon Bair Story On December 31, 1992 SHARPs and neo-Nazis met up on icy streets, with fatal results. Episode 9 tells the story of the New Year’s Eve that changed the life of SHARP member Jon Bair and shifted the balance of the battle t
episode 10: less booted, more suited In this episode we look at the Coalition For Human Dignity’s move to Seattle, the merger with the Northwest Coalition Against Malicious Harassment and financial collapse. We hear reflections on the good, the bad
episode 11: nothing is final In the 11th episode of the podcast we hear about the end of Portland Anti Racist Action, the consequences of being a SHARP, and other reflections by the punks; we also hear words of wisdom offered in hindsight, with love
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