An American Marxism

[spiltteeth]

Hey everyone, I'm new and still learning. I just got this published in countercurrents newsletter, Let me know what you think, thanks

Every movement needs a hero. In the USA, to embody socialist principles and link people together in a common vision, we’ve looked to other lands for such a figure; to Che or Lenin. However, to grow strong, the Left must root itself in an American revolutionary tradition.
Our revolution must grow from its own native soil. In Mexico Subcomandante Marcos wisely named his group after Mexican revolutionary Emiliano Zapata. Chavez has utilized Simon Bolivar to create an authentic historically grounded movement in Venezuela. He has, as Aime Cesaire puts it, thrown off “the hideous leprosy of imitation.” The Black Panthers didn’t call for “a dictatorship of the proletariat,” they developed American-style Marxism and shouted “Power to the people!”
The Christian tradition, though largely hijacked by fascist Right agendas, still has strong socialist voices in the likes of Cornell West and the organization Sojourners. The Left has often ignored the great legacy of Christian socialists like Dorothy Day, Thomas J. Haggerty, and Helen Keller.
Martin Luther King got shot just as his campaign to eradicate poverty was starting. Exclusively linked to civil rights, his socialist tendencies are ignored. Thomas Paine is a good candidate but unfortunately, ignoring his socialist side, the Right has appropriated Paine to their own cause, successfully mobilizing a populist movement the left could learn from.
Eugene V. Debs may be the best bet. A fiery orator, Debs co-founded the IWW (the famous Wobblies) and even ran for president five times –once from jail!-on the Socialist Party of America ticket, which are still around today.
Disillusioned by Obama and reformism, American’s are ripe for revolution, if only someone would speak their language. We don’t need a Chinese, Russian, or Cuban revolution – we need a brand new American one, forged with its own unique proud voice.

[Jimmie Higgins]

Welcome comrade,

I think these things will develop naturally just as the IWW and Socialist Party of the turn of a century took on uniquely regional features as the labor movement grew and radicalized. At the same time the best of these radicals looked beyond our borders for lessons and inspiration just as radicals all over the world celebrated May Day and the American radicals who were killed in Chicago for fighting for an 8 hour day.

There is nothing non-American about these politics and the ruling class and right-wing have fought long and hard to smear these politics as "foreign".

We are international and identify with our class all over the world rather than other classes within our arbitrary borders - but we are also products of our environment and regional circumstances and political traditions.

On a side-note, the Black Panthers and Malcolm X explicitly identified with 3rd world revolutionaries: Che and African Socialism and Arab Nationalism.

[spiltteeth]

Thanks for the comment! Naturally, I am international. I just think linking a movement to some native historical culture, while still remaining anti-nationalistic, strengthens the left and gives it a legitimacy and identity in the eyes of the masses. To many the idea of revolution is associated with Russia or 'UN-American' ideology taking over THEIR country. I remember seeing Venezuelans saying that, although they respected Che Guevara, they didn't want a Cuban revolution, they wanted their own. It enpowers people.
I'm still learning though, thanks for the Welcome!

[Lolshevik]

Spiltteeth, I think you have the right idea at heart, although you're framing it in a way that some people could mistake for national chauvinism.

Essentially, what you're saying is that for socialists to have practical success in America, we have to update our tactics and slogans in a way that is relevant to the modern American proletariat - am I correct in this interpretation? If so, we are in agreement. At the risk of sounding like a shameless plug machine, I think that my group does this well. :D

[spiltteeth]

Yep. that is what I'm saying, on second reading it does come off very nationalistic. From what I see, the socialist alternative does do that. I think constantly referencing Lenin or Mao really alienates and scares people. If we could link these ideas to an American tradition it would be easier for the masses identify. Thanks for the comment.

[Dust Bunnies]

Do we need American heroes riding in on their scarlet steed? No. The proletariat is their own hero, their own savior. Rather, if we want to make it less foreign we need American Marxists to produce credible, good theories, even if it is just repeating Marx/Lenin and updating it for the times and location. The ignorance and xenophobia of the American people cannot be denied, we must adapt.

[spiltteeth]

I think 'Hero' is a bad word, I certainly didn't mean Leader. I should have said a history, a root, a non-nationalistic cultural heritage that won't scare 'patriotic' americans away. As Richard Rorty points out, America is not finished making its identity. Of course ultimatly, I find the concept of 'Nation' itself abhorrent.

[Jimmie Higgins]

Yep. that is what I'm saying, on second reading it does come off very nationalistic. From what I see, the socialist alternative does do that. I think constantly referencing Lenin or Mao really alienates and scares people. If we could link these ideas to an American tradition it would be easier for the masses identify. Thanks for the comment.

I agree with the identification part. I don't think that these ideas could be linked to the American tradition, but I think we need to remind people of our own history! As you said, the right-wing appropriates Tom Paine (Glen *barf* Beck has even written a book called "Common Sense"). This is true of our entire history - we don't need to connect socialism to American history, we need to show how socialism has been there since post-civil-war industrialization and fighting back against ruling elites has been there all along!

As far as Lenin and Mao "scaring people" - well I think the right-wing are the ones doing the fear-mongering. If they don't demonize Debs, that's just because so few people know about him and mainstream history treats him as a quaint old artifact like teetotalars or Presidents with facial hair. If socialists wore Debs shirts like people wear Che shirts, Bill O'Reliey would be complaining about left-wing Debs-worshiping punk kids.

If you say you are a radical, the right wing is always going to throw Stalin, Pol Pot, or whoever at you. I think it's better to have a clear explanation about why these figures do or do not represent what you are talking about. I think Lenin and Trotsky and Marx and many others are very important to American radical history if just for the fact that the Russian Revolution inspired so many - including Debs. Mao, and Stalin I am not a fan of and so when people throw them at me I simply explain my view of that history and why I don't think their road leads to the socialism that I and many others want and why it's a different road.

There are no shortcuts and we are up against a lot - I think we'll know that we are really starting to make a difference when the talking heads and politcians and authors talk about us with as much vitriol as they talk about Marx or Lenin.