College Park, MD, March 21—As part of celebrating International Working Women’s Day, members of the Progressive Labor Party (PLP) hosted a dinner and trivia night. Two comrades worked alongside a close friend to the Party in creating 26 questions, ranging from historic strikes and women-led struggles to attacks on workers that spurred collective action and fightback. Around 35 people attended, and 25 formed teams for the trivia game. 

One comrade introduced the event as a working-class celebration of women’s important contribution to the various fights against capitalism and for liberation from its oppressive institutions. Even the name of the holiday represents our understanding that honoring anti-sexist struggles and victories is based on class distinctions. Capitalist history muddies revolutionary events, groups, and figures, and picks a select few women “role models” who don’t threaten the ruling class’s power. Feminism especially concedes to the notion that patriarchy or male-centered systems of oppression are responsible for women’s mistreatment, and that giving women rights traditionally reserved for men will eradicate the wrongs of society. PLP understands that capitalism relies on sexism, alongside racism, to deny women and queer workers many of the few crumbs that keep us won to its illusions. Another passed law does not guarantee the safety of any worker.

Sexism harms all workers

Another comrade read a speech that highlighted how sexism harms workers for the benefit of capitalists. From their speech: “The exploitation of domestic labor, the attacks on reproductive rights, and unequal pay for equal work are all necessary to sustain [capitalism].” They continued that feminism is not the answer to sexism because it does not push for a multi-gendered working-class movement to end capitalism. Workers’ liberation must be won by force, with a mass communist revolution organized by workers worldwide!

The game created a lively atmosphere that challenged team members to use their previous knowledge or context for the various topics. With each question, participants cheered at their correct choices or playfully groaned about incorrect ones. The three presenters encouraged discussion, which allowed everyone to give and learn more context. In creating the questions, we were careful to show an expansive and internationalist depiction of working women’s struggles and achievements. Our movement for full working-class fightback is impossible without learning from the lessons of workers everywhere.

Attendees stayed long after the game finished to share reflections and to socialize. Base members from areas that usually wouldn’t meet mingled and connected on the Party’s areas of work and analysis, including a comrade’s recent talk on the implications of inter-imperialist rivalry through the U.S.’s war with Iran.

The Party’s younger leadership in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) boldly represented our organization’s commitment to putting youth at the forefront of working-class thought and collective action. Our two lead comrades and base members frequently met and planned the event’s presentation, the Party table of literature and merchandise, and the game itself. As we build for another fiery May Day and summer of fightback, we use these events to celebrate our creativity, history, and multi-gendered proof that workers are the answer to ending the sexist system of capitalism.