Internationalist Books
Encyclopedia
Internationalist Books and Community Center, located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
, is a volunteer operated infoshop
, non-profit collective
, and community center for local activists
. The store name is a reference to the political philosophy of internationalism
. Often, the center is called "The Internationalist" or merely "iBooks" by its volunteers, members, and supporters.
Internationalist Books sells new and used books, alternative magazines, local and small press
materials, Fanzine
/zines, and sidelines.Since its founding, the Internationalist has grown into a center of activism, political discussion, creative grassroots organizing, and a space which brings together people of all ages, sexual orientation, ethnic background, political beliefs and gender identity.
, Sheldon aimed at providing alternative information during the anti-apartheid movement in the 80s as well as a place to share Marxist
literature. When the bookstore was opened, Sheldon described the store's mission as follows:
To support his project, Sheldon held jobs in various capacities throughout North Carolina. In the 1970s Sheldon worked at the Cone Mills-Eno textile plant in an attempt to organize workers into a union. He was fired for disseminating pro-union materials while on the floor of the plant. In the 1980s, Sheldon was employed as a nurse. In the late 1980s, Internationalist Books became a successful enough enterprise, such that Sheldon was able to quit his "day jobs" to focus on managing the bookstore. In 1986, the Internationalist became the center for organizing opposition to the Shearon Harris Nuclear Plant. In January of 1991, the Internationalist organized opposition to the Gulf War, with Sheldon making appearances on WRAL-TV
to speak against the war.
On February 21, 1991, Bob Sheldon was shot and killed as he was closing the store for the evening. The Chapel Hill Police Department began a brief investigation, first focusing its efforts on friends and loved ones, later turning the focus on the theory that the murder was the result of a botched robbery. The investigation stalled when no clear suspects could be identified nor any physical evidence could be collected. No arrests were ever made and the murderer still remains at large and the case remains open. (The band Sonic Youth
later recorded a song about the murder, "Chapel Hill," on their 1992 album Dirty.)
with a volunteer/membership structure. Since 1991, the Internationalist has carried on the work begun by Bob Sheldon by hosting social justice workshops, meetings, campaigns, conferences, and providing facilities and resources to a diverse range of grassroots organizations.
The Internationalist moved to its current location at 405 West Franklin Street in 1995. In 1997, the Internationalist headed efforts to organize a Housekeepers Association at the University of North Carolina to better the working conditions and wages of non-academic employees of the University. In 2000, the Internationalist Books was awarded the Independent Weekly
's Citizen Award for their work as a progressive community organization.
In 2006, the Internationalist celebrated its 25th Anniversary with special events, a commemorative ceremony in which Chapel Hill Mayor Kevin Foy
declared February 21st "Bob Sheldon Day"
, and by publishing a book which compiled a collection of 25 local hidden histories.
was once a volunteer of the Internationalist.
. The bookstore houses a radical lending library. The Internationalist also serves as the hub for anti-war organizing throughout the Triangle, frequently sending busloads of protesters to Washington, D.C. The center sponsors the annual Carrboro Book Fair, the "Against the Grain" series, the Desert City Poetry Series, the annual Bob Sheldon Award, and has been known to be in contact with representatives of CrimethInc.
and the organizers of the Carrboro Free Market
. In addition, the bookstore frequently plays host to a number of readings and events by authors and artists such as Inga Muscio
, Michelle Tea
, Timothy Tyson, and Reverend Billy Talen of the Church of Stop Shopping.
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Chapel Hill is a town in Orange County, North Carolina, United States and the home of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and UNC Health Care...
, is a volunteer operated infoshop
Infoshop
An infoshop is a storefront or social center that serves as a node for the distribution of political information, typically in the form of books, zines, stickers and posters. Infoshops often serve as a meeting space and resource hub for local activist groups....
, non-profit collective
Collective
A collective is a group of entities that share or are motivated by at least one common issue or interest, or work together on a specific project to achieve a common objective...
, and community center for local activists
Activism
Activism consists of intentional efforts to bring about social, political, economic, or environmental change. Activism can take a wide range of forms from writing letters to newspapers or politicians, political campaigning, economic activism such as boycotts or preferentially patronizing...
. The store name is a reference to the political philosophy of internationalism
Proletarian internationalism
Proletarian internationalism, sometimes referred to as international socialism, is a Marxist social class concept based on the view that capitalism is now a global system, and therefore the working class must act as a global class if it is to defeat it...
. Often, the center is called "The Internationalist" or merely "iBooks" by its volunteers, members, and supporters.
Internationalist Books sells new and used books, alternative magazines, local and small press
Small press
Small press is a term often used to describe publishers with annual sales below a certain level. Commonly, in the United States, this is set at $50 million, after returns and discounts...
materials, Fanzine
Fanzine
A fanzine is a nonprofessional and nonofficial publication produced by fans of a particular cultural phenomenon for the pleasure of others who share their interest...
/zines, and sidelines.Since its founding, the Internationalist has grown into a center of activism, political discussion, creative grassroots organizing, and a space which brings together people of all ages, sexual orientation, ethnic background, political beliefs and gender identity.
Bob Sheldon
Bob Sheldon founded Internationalist Books in 1981. Opened as a small reading room above a bar on Henderson Street near the campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel HillUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
, Sheldon aimed at providing alternative information during the anti-apartheid movement in the 80s as well as a place to share Marxist
Marxism
Marxism is an economic and sociopolitical worldview and method of socioeconomic inquiry that centers upon a materialist interpretation of history, a dialectical view of social change, and an analysis and critique of the development of capitalism. Marxism was pioneered in the early to mid 19th...
literature. When the bookstore was opened, Sheldon described the store's mission as follows:
We are dedicated to the position that we have no country: we do not support mindless patriotic pleas for 'national unity,' nor are we interested in keeping America number one. We support the unity and liberation of oppressed people worldwide and are working toward the day when all oppression and inequality will be removed from the earth.
To support his project, Sheldon held jobs in various capacities throughout North Carolina. In the 1970s Sheldon worked at the Cone Mills-Eno textile plant in an attempt to organize workers into a union. He was fired for disseminating pro-union materials while on the floor of the plant. In the 1980s, Sheldon was employed as a nurse. In the late 1980s, Internationalist Books became a successful enough enterprise, such that Sheldon was able to quit his "day jobs" to focus on managing the bookstore. In 1986, the Internationalist became the center for organizing opposition to the Shearon Harris Nuclear Plant. In January of 1991, the Internationalist organized opposition to the Gulf War, with Sheldon making appearances on WRAL-TV
WRAL-TV
WRAL-TV, virtual channel 5 , is a television station in Raleigh, North Carolina. WRAL-TV has been the flagship station of Capitol Broadcasting Company since its inception, and is currently the CBS affiliate for the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill/Fayetteville area, known collectively as the Triangle...
to speak against the war.
On February 21, 1991, Bob Sheldon was shot and killed as he was closing the store for the evening. The Chapel Hill Police Department began a brief investigation, first focusing its efforts on friends and loved ones, later turning the focus on the theory that the murder was the result of a botched robbery. The investigation stalled when no clear suspects could be identified nor any physical evidence could be collected. No arrests were ever made and the murderer still remains at large and the case remains open. (The band Sonic Youth
Sonic Youth
Sonic Youth is an American alternative rock band from New York City, formed in 1981. The current lineup consists of Thurston Moore , Kim Gordon , Lee Ranaldo , Steve Shelley , and Mark Ibold .In their early career, Sonic Youth was associated with the No Wave art and music scene in New York City...
later recorded a song about the murder, "Chapel Hill," on their 1992 album Dirty.)
Collective
Following the death of the bookstore's founder, with an outpouring of support from the community, the Internationalist reopened as a nonprofit cooperativeCooperative
A cooperative is a business organization owned and operated by a group of individuals for their mutual benefit...
with a volunteer/membership structure. Since 1991, the Internationalist has carried on the work begun by Bob Sheldon by hosting social justice workshops, meetings, campaigns, conferences, and providing facilities and resources to a diverse range of grassroots organizations.
The Internationalist moved to its current location at 405 West Franklin Street in 1995. In 1997, the Internationalist headed efforts to organize a Housekeepers Association at the University of North Carolina to better the working conditions and wages of non-academic employees of the University. In 2000, the Internationalist Books was awarded the Independent Weekly
Independent Weekly
The Independent Weekly is a tabloid-format alternative weekly newspaper published in Durham, North Carolina, United States and distributed throughout the Research Triangle area and counties .The Independent is a member of the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies and has a...
's Citizen Award for their work as a progressive community organization.
In 2006, the Internationalist celebrated its 25th Anniversary with special events, a commemorative ceremony in which Chapel Hill Mayor Kevin Foy
Kevin Foy
Kevin C. Foy was the mayor of Chapel Hill, North Carolina from 2001-2009.During his eight years in office, Foy focused on policies that have transformed Chapel Hill into a vibrant mid-sized city. Chief among these is a fare-free transit system...
declared February 21st "Bob Sheldon Day"
, and by publishing a book which compiled a collection of 25 local hidden histories.
Volunteers
Currently, over thirty volunteers, one part-time paid manager, a volunteer coordinator, and a ten member Board of Directors handle the day-to-day operation of Internationalist Books and Community Center. The volunteers' main responsibilities include: staffing the bookstore, handling the daily customer sales and upkeep of the store, bookkeeping, book ordering, staffing/schedule coordinator, book tabling at local events, coordinating events in-store, newsletters, fundraising, and much more. Grammy-nominated recording artist Tift MerrittTift Merritt
Catherine Tift Merritt is an American singer-songwriter, musician and North Carolina native. With her longtime band, she has built what has been called a "unique" and critically acclaimed body of work of "sonic short stories and poignant performances." She has been compared to songwriters like...
was once a volunteer of the Internationalist.
Projects/Events
Volunteers are involved in a number of projects which operate from the Internationalist. The bookstore is the headquarters for the Internationalist Prison Books Collective, a prisoner support group serving inmates throughout the Southeastern United States. The Internationalist was formerly the headquarters for North Carolina IndymediaIndependent Media Center
The Independent Media Center is a global participatory network of journalists that report on political and social issues. It originated during the Seattle anti-WTO protests worldwide in 1999 and remains closely associated with the global justice movement, which criticizes neo-liberalism and its...
. The bookstore houses a radical lending library. The Internationalist also serves as the hub for anti-war organizing throughout the Triangle, frequently sending busloads of protesters to Washington, D.C. The center sponsors the annual Carrboro Book Fair, the "Against the Grain" series, the Desert City Poetry Series, the annual Bob Sheldon Award, and has been known to be in contact with representatives of CrimethInc.
CrimethInc.
CrimethInc., also known as CWC , is a decentralized anarchist collective of autonomous cells. CrimethInc. emerged in the mid-1990s, initially as the hardcore zine Inside Front, and began operating as a collective in 1996...
and the organizers of the Carrboro Free Market
Really Really Free Market
The Really, Really Free Market movement is a non-hierarchical collective of individuals who form a temporary market based on an alternative gift economy. The RRFM movement aims to counteract capitalism in a non-reactionary way. It holds as a major goal to build a community based on sharing...
. In addition, the bookstore frequently plays host to a number of readings and events by authors and artists such as Inga Muscio
Inga Muscio
Inga Muscio, , is a feminist, anti-racist writer and public speaker.She became famous after the publication of her 1998 Seal Press book Cunt: A Declaration of Independence, which called for women to break down boundaries between themselves and their bodies, and each other.She is also the author of...
, Michelle Tea
Michelle Tea
Michelle Tea is an American author, poet, and literary arts organizer whose autobiographical works explore queer culture, feminism, race, class, prostitution, and other topics. She is originally from Chelsea, Massachusetts and currently lives in San Francisco...
, Timothy Tyson, and Reverend Billy Talen of the Church of Stop Shopping.
External links
- Official website
- Rabble Rousers, Independent Weekly November 22, 2000
- Internationalist Books Provides Base For Change , The Daily Tar HeelThe Daily Tar HeelThe Daily Tar Heel is the independent student newspaper of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It was founded on February 23, 1893, and became a daily newspaper in 1929. The paper places a focus on university news and sports, but it also includes heavy coverage of Orange County and...
February 20, 2003 - Internationalist Books auctions cakes, The Daily Tar Heel November 3, 2006
- Sheldon Legacy Persists After 15 Years, The Daily Tar HeelThe Daily Tar HeelThe Daily Tar Heel is the independent student newspaper of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It was founded on February 23, 1893, and became a daily newspaper in 1929. The paper places a focus on university news and sports, but it also includes heavy coverage of Orange County and...
February 21, 2006