‘Find out all this racist terror is connected’

Living in this world, it seemed like I had no choice but to rely on these people, basically to live or survive, and all that. So, I guess once I turned eighteen—what was it, back in ‘95—so that would be, if we’re looking at [the] presidential candidate, that was Clinton. That was the time, that was the era. Everybody voted for Democrats. I’m from Baltimore City, so the majority of us are Democrats. So, just follow the lead. After that, it was kind of hard growing up, and seeing that the world around me—especially outside of the U.S.—people starving; people dying; people getting killed; people just living in unfair, uncertain situations—and nothing’s changing.

At the same time, it was like: well, it’s a new era: 2000, it’s gonna get better. So, what happens? Terror attacks and all. And it was a bunch of blame games, and I’m like, “What is going on? What’s happening” It was until maybe the Barack era where I was like, “Okay, I don’t see a change.” I’m in my 30s-40s now at the time, and I’m like, “We’re still in the same thing, I just feel stuck, and I feel helpless or ignored. Still working and not going anywhere.”

So, it wasn’t until a decade or so later when we met up with a comrade, and the Party—along with what another comrade was doing—to find out all this terror and all this mess that we live in this world, it’s all connected; and it’s called capitalism. That just kind of blinded me because [for one comrade and I] we didn’t really know what communism was. We didn’t know the difference, and we just had that revelation about us growing up because public school wasn’t gonna teach that. We got the confusion of this “bad” group of things—Red Scare, if you will—called communism in the midst of something that happened back in the ‘30s, with Hitler when everybody knew he was bad, and [Communists] are bad. You just balled this thing up and got me confused. Because I had no idea what was what and whom to trust.

At the same time, I’m living in a predominantly African-American Black family. And who was my teacher: my father. To see ... these police caught on T.V., or what we read in the newspaper: somebody got killed or beat up by the cops. Just little things here and there, which became a really big deal—but I’m supposed to be in support of capitalism. At the time, really, what was that about? Making money, but I wasn’t invited to the party. 

So that way, even though we did have a Black president, it didn’t matter. Even though we’re still called the n-word, it doesn’t matter. We’re out here surviving. And pretty much, I’m getting old; I was getting tired of it. So, I said, “Yeah, let me join the Party. Why not?” With the same rhetoric every four, eight years with the politicians, with the mayors, the governors, the senators, the whoever’s: go this way, go that way. Put the billboard up on your porch, and say, “Vote for this guy.” You never hear from him again. It doesn’t matter.

I was just tired of living whatever I was living. So, thank you to my father for giving me a little hint and then bringing me up to [the Party].
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‘Regain purpose for existing—be a communist’

During the nationalism of the 1980s, austerities and sanctions imposed by Big and Small Fascists changed the whole dynamic of workers’ lives in Eastern Europe. The Caucasus and Balkan civil wars followed in the 1990s. The borders changed and so did the relative stability of  the working class. Millions of workers were displaced and forced to migrate.Thousands were killed, and many ended up working for the same bosses who destroyed their livelihoods.

Sadly but truly, I am one of those workers who witnessed the collapse of state capitalism and ended up in the increased exploitation of the free market. The initial cultural shock of language barriers and change of environment is understandable, but segregation and inequality were obvious. Capitalism really is rotten and my instinct told me to find out why. As I was sharing my concerns with fellow workers, some pointed out that opportunities are here, but you need to work long hours or get a credit card. Some suggested playing the lottery. Embarrassing to say I got sucked into the system.

Now, fully assimilated into the core values of capitalism -“schemes, individualism, fame, racism, sexism and imperialism”- I actively pursued a profession of destroying what destroys. It is a learning process. I found out that a white flag hanging on the front porch in protest of the war in Iraq made no dent in the neighborhood. Friends told me that once you are able to vote your vote can make a change. I saw one war ending and another starting. I saw Republicans and Democrats bickering. Vacillating between an evil and lesser evil becomes senseless. The only way to regain the purpose of existing was to be a communist.

Joining Progressive Labor Party (PLP) opened new horizons through learning about the history of workers’ struggles and actively participating in the local community. This past Saturday afternoon (May 2nd) was a celebration for revolutionary communists in DC, Maryland and Virginia. Workers, community organizers and social organizers picketed, chanted, spoke and marched on the streets of Hyattsville. Long Live May Day! Fight for communism! Join PLP
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Detroit honors Intl Working Women's Day

On March 8th, a  group of 11 comrades and friends gathered in Detroit to celebrate and honor International Women’s Day. In the midst of war, developing fascism, and massive inequality, women continue to play a pivotal role in the struggle against capitalism and the great disruption it creates in workers’ lives. A comrade opened the meeting by stressing the point that throughout all working class history, workers have dared to fight back and challenge the system that was enslaving them. History has been  hidden and distorted to downplay the role that workers, and in particular women workers, played  in the fight against an exploitative capitalist system. 

Another speaker spoke in a passionate way about all the major struggles in the fight to improve workers’ lives. Women were in the forefront and played a critical role in those fights including giving their lives to save others. A good friend of the Party, who may join soon, shared that within his household he needs to change his approach in the way he relates differently to his son and daughter. He emphasized that because of sexism he was taught that men and women have different roles, but now he understands through being around the Party that those ideas are completely false. 

A lively discussion and struggle also took place with some thinking that men and women do have different roles and functions. We ended the debate by agreeing to continue this struggle. The mood of the day was enhanced by everyone contributing to a delicious dinner along with an invite for everyone to join us on May Day in Detroit as we continue to fight for communism to rid ourselves of this capitalist system.
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