Tunisia’s uprisings began in December, quickly leading to the fall of long-time dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. Shortly thereafter, Egypt successfully rose up against Hosni Mubarak. The same day as Mubarak’s resignation, now infamous Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker declared his legislative war on unions, causing a wave of protest that may not have happened without Tunisians and Egyptians demonstrating what was possible. 

Now, there is a unique global upheaval, borrowing certain protest tactics and creating others to be shared as revolutions around the world create progressive change. Writer and activist Sherry Wolf joins The Nation to describe how this year’s Socialism Conference happened at a key historic moment. For more from Wolf, read her article in this week’s special Sports Issue of The Nation, America’s Deepest Closet.

—Anna Lekas Miller