Michael Burawoy

It's too upsetting to repost the news article. So I'll focus on the things that those of us who loved Michael Burawoy loved so much about him, including that he was SO much fun and SO hysterically funny.

In 2001, we, his seven TAs for social theory, decided it would be hilarious to take the world famous Marxist sociologist to the mecca of capitalism for spring break—Las Vegas. He was game for anything, and he PAID for everything we ate there too! I think we took him to the cleaners after one meal at the Paris.

He was a good sport when we insisted he try the water massage machine—we even prepaid for it so he could not say no. The machine tickled and so he couldn't stop giggling— which resulted in all of us ROLLING on the floor laughing so hard we could barely breathe....

Eréndira dared him to wear red leather pants to the sociology department holiday party. He said, "Where am I going to get red leather pants?" (he was trying to get out of it). So Eren said, "I'll take you shopping for them." She took him to a thrift store and found these for him and he kept his end of the bargain. He looked too cute!

Everyone who worked with Michael adored him. He brought out the best in all of us, and he cared SO MUCH for all of his students.

He and I had a running joke because he thought I hugged too much. He'd say "Don't come near me with your hugs, Tamara!" Then when I graduated from Berkeley...He gave me one of the biggest, warmest hugs of my life, laughing the entire time.

There is so much more to say about how incredible a person Michael was as we process this shattering loss. But today I want to remember Michael laughing.

2/6/25

Eren took this beautiful photo of Michael with his great friend Erik Olin Wright in 2002. Every Thursday night after our weekly TA meeting, Michael treated the seven of us to a REALLY nice dinner (wine always included). Erik joined one night at Yoshi's for dinner and music. When Erik passed away, both Eren and I separately had the same thought—had Michael saved it digitally after 18 years? He was a Luddite, without a tv, cell phone, or car, so who knew? We each sent it to him and got the same response—yes, he still had it and "This was Erik's favorite photo of us."