Need Advice!

[originofopinion]

My school is a very Conservative school with lots of Rich people, Im Middle School and a High School The schools are from Gr.9-12. I live In Alberta, Canada. I hand out Pro-Communist Flyers and Propaganda.

I, a Communist am becoming a target in school, misinformation made them evil among the students and now they wont listen to reason

What should I do?

[Tzadikim]

There are several possibilities, each with their own positives and negatives:

1.) You could simply stop trying to propagandize, and hunker down until you're out of school - if you jeopardize your education, you make yourself less useful to the revolutionary cause, even if that education is biased and, to a large extent, bogus.

This might have the benefit of safeguarding your education, which in turn might give you skills more useful, at some future point, to the revolution. The negative effect here is twofold: others might notice that you've stopped and be more inclined to regard your Communism as "just a phase"; and you might fail out on winning others to our cause.

2.) You could attempt to have a rational debate with your fellow students who oppose your activities, if there are indeed any rational-minded people among them. I'd recommend this, as there's only one drawback: that you'd need to know enough to parlay any possible objections they might have to your ideology, and if you fail, you might end up disgracing yourself and the cause. If you do take this tack, then study before confronting anybody, and remember to do it calmly, in the analytical fashion.

Good luck.

[KarlMarx1989]

Well, I would love to help you; but I don't know how much help I can be as I know nothing about Canada's laws.

Here, in christian-America, this kind of thing can go to court (although it can get ugly there, too:(). All I can say is, try to get people that believe what you do and band together and defend one another. If that is difficult, in the meantime you can try to lay low and not speak your voice at your school and try to get out of school, each day, alive and well.

Although, a good alternative; if your parents can afford it, is to have you transferred to another school or get home-schooled. Most that I know choose the latter, that is if their parents were up to it.

[gorillafuck]

I'd not hand out anything anymore and maybe just occasionally talk with your friends when leftist topics come up.

[Durruti's Ghost]

Engage them rationally when you can, even if they don't seem to be listening to reason. You'll never convince someone to become a communist through debate; however, you will almost always plant a seed in their minds, challenging their preconceptions of what communism is and perhaps leading them to do further research on their own.

If anyone physically threatens you, go to the administration or, if they are unreceptive, a local chapter of a civil liberties organization.

Good luck, comrade!

[KarlMarx1989]

Good luck, btw! :)

[New Tet]

"No prophet is honored in his own home", or something like that.

Maybe you should take a sabbatical from the flyers and leaflets thing and concentrate on studying your A-B-C's of communism (and your regular ABC's as well). Relax, get stronger; just "stand in the place where you are":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4F9sHyyvqk

[originofopinion]

They make my school life hell! I'm usually the Devil's Advocate for most everything, but I tell them where I stand. The flyers I hand out and put up are destroyed or scribbled on, they make absurd comments on the things I support. They argue with no sense or concern for what Communism really is. I get randomly humiliated and put on spot in class by students and they ridicule everything form me having a lazy eye to my slightly high voice (yes its probably puberty, lol). Its my first year of high school and I already am the center of harasement. I have friends but they really back down when I need them. How can I change my Reputation without changing what I stand for and express? :confused:

[Tzadikim]

I hate to say it, because it may make me sound discriminatory against you (a self-admitted member of the petit-bourgeois, albeit not by your own choice), but it's not highly likely you're going to find too many people sympathetic towards your aims in a school that mostly caters to the children of the bourgeois class itself. Your best bet, if you want to continue propagandizing, is to target working-class households and communities in particular, as these are your natural allies.

[9]

I hate to say it, because it may make me sound discriminatory against you (a self-admitted member of the petit-bourgeois, albeit not by your own choice), but it's not highly likely you're going to find too many people sympathetic towards your aims in a school that mostly caters to the children of the bourgeois class itself. Your best bet, if you want to continue propagandizing, is to target working-class households and communities in particular, as these are your natural allies.

^this
A school full of rich kids is not exactly a hotbed for revolutionary sentiment. Which isn't to say you shouldn't have made an effort; it's good that you did. But just as a sensible person would have no reason to jeopardize her profession by passing out communist propaganda to her boss, there is not much sense in putting your education in jeopardy by passing out propaganda to wealthy high school kids. The risk just hugely outweighs any potential reward. As suggested by the quoted poster, you may want to redirect your efforts toward the class of people who communism directly speaks to.

[Radical]

-------------------------

[Comrade Gwydion]

And what about university's?
The people on there are the ones that will most likely become rich and powerfull in this system, yet ever since the middelages they've been the 'hotbeds of revolution' in the western world, in that they have a relatively high leftist populace. Hell! Some of our far rightwingers where in the socialist party when they where at university!

[originofopinion]

Anyother Advice?, because I dont think stopping my Activism is going to make them stop, and plus I dont want them to think they stopped me.

[New Tet]

Anyother Advice?, because I dont think stopping my Activism is going to make them stop, and plus I dont want them to think they stopped me.

Why should you care what they think about you personally? Besides, it might be to your advantage to have them think you've been "cured" of whatever it is that ails your inquisitive mind!

[9]

Anyother Advice?, because I dont think stopping my Activism is going to make them stop, and plus I dont want them to think they stopped me.

Well, are there tangible positive results from what you are doing? If not, I really don't see why it's worth it to jeopardize your education just to prove a rather inconsequential point to some rich kids.

[DDK]

Move to Ontario, it's better here. Harper and his cronies have too much support coming from out west so you aren't going to accomplish much there.

[originofopinion]

Why should you care what they think about you personally? Besides, it might be to your advantage to have them think you've been "cured" of whatever it is that ails your inquisitive mind!

I dont care, but there fucking things up,
But alot of kids are open-minded to new beliefs.

[red cat]

Anyother Advice?, because I dont think stopping my Activism is going to make them stop, and plus I dont want them to think they stopped me.

Talk less. Always try to look terribly serious. The next time someone makes fun of you, punch him on the face. Hard. You'll probably get a detention or will be suspended for a week, but it will make the bourgeois pigs think twice before they try to meddle with you again.

[Stranger Than Paradise]

That is sickening what has happened to you comrade. My advice would be (although maybe it is too late) to describe your ideology without mentioning the actual word Communism, that is because there is so much stigma in America surrounding the word that you are almost shooting yourself in the foot addressing people by using it. Do not dilute or water down your message just present it without using the actual word Communism and I'm sure there will be a more positive response.

[Muzk]

Awww, being well-off is one of the main factors for people to be reactionary :( I feel bad for you

[ZeroNowhere]

I hate to say it, because it may make me sound discriminatory against you (a self-admitted member of the petit-bourgeois, albeit not by your own choice)Wait, where did they admit that?


Rich children are scumNot necessarily, most I know are actually pretty nice people.


The people on there are the ones that will most likely become rich and powerfull in this system, yet ever since the middelages they've been the 'hotbeds of revolution' in the western world, in that they have a relatively high leftist populace.Universities have also been a hotbed of shitty Marxism.

[und]

Wait, where did they admit that?

Not necessarily, most I know are actually pretty nice people.

Universities have also been a hotbed of shitty Marxism.
Can you elaborate on what you mean exactly be "shitty Marxism"?

[Tzadikim]

Wait, where did they admit that?


My school is a very Conservative school with lots of Rich people, Im Middle-Higher.

.

[originofopinion]

.

Middle Higher is Gr.9 .Middle School and a Highschool, but if you mean class .Im middle class, not middle higher. I would have said upper class if I meant that, but Its basiclly Gr.9 what It means here.

Sorry for the confusion It sounded kinda bad in the way i put it.

[Dóchas]

if you want to educate people but keep face in school why dont you put up posters outside your school and around your area? they might get taken down but a lot more people will see them than in your school

[Kukulofori]

Give up revolting if it's too hard.

[RotStern]

Move to Ontario, it's better here. Harper and his cronies have too much support coming from out west so you aren't going to accomplish much there.

Are you joking?
its even WORSE here nobody listens.
atleast where I live its full with a bunch of Spoiled Rich kids who look down on me for not being rich.

Fuck educating them.
Threaten them with revolution. Then they will be keen to listen. :laugh:

[NecroCommie]

I often find that in the lack of better words, use sarcasm. If they go "You want to kill everything, even the things that are not alive!" You go: "Yes I do! Prepare to die a horrible and utterly painful death! Because that's what communism is about." They go like: "Do you really think that way?! :confused:" YOu go: "ofcourse not! I hope this opens your eyes on how ridiculous your claims were..."

It sometimes helps with me...

[Искра]

Threaten them with Čeka, they shit their pants.

[DDK]

Are you joking?
its even WORSE here nobody listens.
atleast where I live its full with a bunch of Spoiled Rich kids who look down on me for not being rich.

Fuck educating them.
Threaten them with revolution. Then they will be keen to listen. :laugh:
Where in Ontario? People are pretty good in southern Ontario. I mean if I run into people remotely interested in politics they're pretty left wing. The main thing I run into is people who just don't care about social issues or politics or don't think about them. I never run into hardcore conservatives. The only reason I think they won the election is because of the older generation and because youth here are too complacent at times.

[cenv]

My school is a very Conservative school with lots of Rich people, Im Middle School and a High School The schools are from Gr.9-12. I live In Alberta, Canada. I hand out Pro-Communist Flyers and Propaganda.

I, a Communist am becoming a target in school, misinformation made them evil among the students and now they wont listen to reason

What should I do?
Find a way to be politically active outside of school. Speaking from past experience, high school is probably the worst place to try to spread your ideas -- especially when the majority of your peers have money. You might be able to make people think by discussing your ideas with them on a personal level, but any attempt at real propaganda will probably be met with thinly veiled contempt or outright hostility. You owe it to yourself and to the revolutionary movement to find a place where you can reach more people. I'd recommend getting in touch with an organization near you.

But if you want to try some different ways of spreading ideas in the context of school (and this will be a lot easier if you can find some like-minded students), try taking a bottom-up approach. Begin by agitating about the way the school is run, and spread dissent among the student body. Find an issue specific to your community to organize around, no matter how trivial -- one that has some sort of impact on people's lives. Then connect that issue to bigger-picture ideas. In other words, don't start out by saying "hey, workers are exploited and we need a revolution." Instead, start out by saying "this policy sucks and affects the quality of our lives. And by the way, this is an example of how the education system is shit, which has to do with capitalism and class because ..."

Good luck. I know how tough it can be to deal with spoiled rich kids who don't care about the world outside of their BMWs.

[originofopinion]

LOL, punch him in the head. But now apparently Im a Nazi because Im Communist, And Apparently Communism is a religion? Also get mad fun of, because I read Philosophy and Apparently Im Self-Important because I think Communism is a good way to go.

[Invincible Summer]

Move to Ontario, it's better here. Harper and his cronies have too much support coming from out west so you aren't going to accomplish much there.
Umm... Ontario may be better than Alberta in terms of Tory support, but I'm pretty sure BC is not a huge fan of the Federal Conservatives. Hell, we hardly even have any provincial Conservative support in the main cities (I know it's slightly different, but you get what I mean).

Ontario, however, does have more opportunities for networking with other left groups.



Can you elaborate on what you mean exactly be "shitty Marxism"?

I don't want to answer for Zero (and my answer isn't quite directly related to your question), but in my experience as a sociology student, some profs will have a pseudo-Marxist position on things... what I mean is that they will criticize capitalism and talk about capitalists owning the means of production and all that, but then suggest that voting for the NDP (social-democratic party here) and nationalizing industries to be the answer, as this is a way for the workers to "have better control of the means of production." What's more, they'll talk about alienation in capitalist society, but then sort of twist it (consciously or not) and then blame it on technology for making workers alienated.

[originofopinion]

Update: The absolute form of Discrimination has occurred!
We were talking about overpopulation, they were talking about the rise of Muslim population. They then went into it by saying that terrorism is going to occur rapidly and how the world is going to have to purge the world of the Arabs. They attempt to justify this by saying that the Arabs are going to rule the world if we don`t stop them. One Conservative fuck says we should nuke them with our `Canadian` nukes?

Also This asshole states that Amerikkkan economy is awesome because they can fun lots of wars, I explained that there Economy is ruined because of these wars along with Capitalism.
He also says that we should gang up with Amerikkka and `kill all Asians`because apparently there overpopulated, so I told him that they just don`t have enough land so maybe they should take over North America because we don`t use enough of it----That isn`t my true thoughts, playing devil`s advocate.

So , My school is pretty much as racist as shit.
And Now I`m the only supporter of the Palestinian people.

[CELMX]

Update: The absolute form of Discrimination has occurred!
We were talking about overpopulation, they were talking about the rise of Muslim population. They then went into it by saying that terrorism is going to occur rapidly and how the world is going to have to purge the world of the Arabs. They attempt to justify this by saying that the Arabs are going to rule the world if we don`t stop them. One Conservative fuck says we should nuke them with our `Canadian` nukes?

Also This asshole states that Amerikkkan economy is awesome because they can fun lots of wars, I explained that there Economy is ruined because of these wars along with Capitalism.
He also says that we should gang up with Amerikkka and `kill all Asians`because apparently there overpopulated, so I told him that they just don`t have enough land so maybe they should take over North America because we don`t use enough of it----That isn`t my true thoughts, playing devil`s advocate.

So , My school is pretty much as racist as shit.
And Now I`m the only supporter of the Palestinian people.

I really feel sorry for you, and pissed at those ignorant sheep...I hope one day those bastards will go to hell. These guys are such idiots, what scum!
But, I don't really think much can be done if you've already tried talking things through and explaining things to them. Best you could do is ignore them, transfer to another school, beat the shit out of them:D, or....

Here are some suggestions, not really "leftist", a bit more broad, though I might sound like an idiot, so you can just ignore me:
Kindness always makes people love you and listen to you. I have no idea who you are, or how you treat people, but from past experience, it seems the best way to keep people attentive is not to bash them, but to listen to them, find some similarities, and explain why you disagree on some issues. Don't sound like a bore, and make politics interesting. And don't sound like a smartass like me...:D
Also, friendship doesn't hurt. You could become friends with them, from non political similarities, and slowly, gradually talking about politics, they'll be your "victims," hehe...

I'm probably not much help, but, come on...be more optimistic! Focus on the good shit, and build on that. Don't stick to the horrible filth that happens. A weakness in some of us leftists is rambling on and on about this is bad, that is bad, but not really constructing on good points, and going around in circles and circles instead.

Again, you have my sympathy, and good luck in making at least some of those arseholes in your school comrades.:)

[Quail]

A random thought - would a school full of rich kids be likely to have a debating society or something? The school I went to for VI form was in quite a posh area and they had a debating society thing at lunch. You could propose a debate where some of your ideas might get heard.

[btpound]

Firstly, as a Maoist I think it would be appropriate to apply the mass line. Find out what they dislike, what they are opposed to. Start from there and move up. I think it would be more affective to listen rather than speak. Part of getting them on your side would be uniting with them on a common enemy. This common enemy could be the faculty, the teachers and administration. If there are teachers who are abusive or talk down to the student, stand up to them on another's behalf. If this common enemy is maybe bullies in the school, unite against them. Stand up to them on another's behalf.

You also have to arm yourself with knowledge. You have to know what you are talking about. This website is great for finding general works on communism and also general articles on current events regarding the international movement.

Communism dosen't win popularity contests. Period. In your lifetime as a revolutionary, if you choose such a path, is one of persecution, castigation, oppression, and demorilization. You will be put down by the authorities, you will be put down by your peers, people won't like you. But what is important is to remain strong in your resolution. I personally have never regretted making my views clear. My only regrettes, are when I didn't make my views more clear.

[originofopinion]

A random thought - would a school full of rich kids be likely to have a debating society or something? The school I went to for VI form was in quite a posh area and they had a debating society thing at lunch. You could propose a debate where some of your ideas might get heard.


At my school there is no such club in which Debating takes place.

Although there Was a Christian Club, lol

[mastershake16]

Alright man, I'm a Junior in high school.

I wish I could tell you to stand up for what you believe in and keep spreading the word....but I can't.

Find some friends who agree with you, but if NO ONE agrees with you, don't keep nagging them about Communism because they will get sick of it and will not care about it at all. The fact you're a Freshman doesn't help hahaha Handing out flyers is probably kinda weird too, at least in high school.

People making fun of you because you have a lazy eye and a high pitched voice just infuriates me. I don't get picked on but to judge someone's physical appearance and use that against them makes me so angry. Just lay low, and when you get to college I guarantee you people will be more accepting, and there will probably be some sort of leftist club or something. Like CELMX said, just be nice to everyone and just chill. You'll get used to high school, just don't take anything personally because some kids are just ignorant. I just usually laugh at them or use my knowledge to make them seem foolish. Be social though, just don't talk about Communism EVERY waking minute or people will just get sick of you.

Good luck!


P.S. Rich people are not all scum. I'd say I'm pretty well off and I try to be as nice as I can to everyone I meet.

[Drace]

Even if you handed out pro-capitalist flyers you'd still probably get picked on.

EDIT: Ok I read some of your posts, and the kids in your school seem really fucked up. There must be some nice ones. Just don't lose your confidence and make the right friends.

[originofopinion]

Even if you handed out pro-capitalist flyers you'd still probably get picked on.



No, there extreme Capitalists and Social Darwinist.

[Vendetta]

I don't think that's the point he was trying to make.

[The Red Next Door]

I would waste my time trying to revolutionize rich people and apolitical people. just cool it and don't worry about, try to speak to people who are a member of the working class or someone who is into politics.

[originofopinion]

EDIT: Ok I read some of your posts, and the kids in your school seem really fucked up. There must be some nice ones. Just don't lose your confidence and make the right friends.
They are extremely mean, and to be honest I want to have a "I don't give a shit" attitude, but I do. It pisses me off that they are so ignorant.

And Now that I am a Vegan (personal choice) it makes it all so much worse.
And having Long hair and having an Eco-Centric Communist view can be discriminated easily.
I swear to Marx, I am the only intelligent person. But I can defend myself with words forever, they are going to physically harm me.

One year a Openly Homosexual person was changing for Gym and a bunch of football players stripped him, pissed on him and overall beat the shit out of him.

Homophobia is extremely common and violent here. And since I have a squeaky voice and I'm Vegan means I am apparently "a fag"

[Invincible Summer]

They are extremely mean, and to be honest I want to have a "I don't give a shit" attitude, but I do. It pisses me off that they are so ignorant.

And Now that I am a Vegan (personal choice) it makes it all so much worse.
And having Long hair and having an Eco-Centric Communist view can be discriminated easily.
I swear to Marx, I am the only intelligent person. But I can defend myself with words forever, they are going to physically harm me.

If you're worried about physical harm, I'd recommend to take some sort of martial art or self-defense class. Since MMA is so popular now, it's not hard to find an actual MMA class, as opposed to learning jiu-jitsu and boxing separately.

But at least judo/jiu jitsu. They're very good for defense, when you don't want to necessarily punch the shit out of someone, or when you want to choke the life out of them in a really badass way.



One year a Openly Homosexual person was changing for Gym and a bunch of football players stripped him, pissed on him and overall beat the shit out of him.

Homophobia is extremely common and violent here. And since I have a squeaky voice and I'm Vegan means I am apparently "a fag"

That's actually really fucking terrible. I knew Alberta was conservative, but shit that's pretty bad. I've never heard of anything like that here (I live in BC).

I suggest that you try to start a "Social Justice" club or something, and get a bunch of the queer students and other like-minded (albeit most likely liberal-left) students to form a coalition against these conservative pricks.

[red cat]

But at least judo/jiu jitsu. They're very good for defense, when you don't want to necessarily punch the shit out of someone, or when you want to choke the life out of them in a really badass way.



There will be more than a single opponent at a time. If he proceeds to choke one of them, the others will try to injure him in the meantime. I recommend tae kwon do or muay thai.

[Invincible Summer]

There will be more than a single opponent at a time. If he proceeds to choke one of them, the others will try to injure him in the meantime. I recommend tae kwon do or muay thai.

True. I don't want to turn this into a martial arts thread, but my point is though, that stuff like BJJ and judo are more "defensive" and grappling is definitely a good thing to know how to do.

But yes, martial arts like Muay Thai are probably more useful for street fighting applications.

[MortyMingledon]

Dude, you're really unlucky in the school you happen to go to.

Among my peers at school almost anything is up for debate, and if you speak the right language it is possible to "convert" other people to socialism, or in my case, anarchism. It's all about not sounding elitist and "intellectual" while still bringing the points across in an effective manner. Of course there I would much rather explain anarchism to my friends in an intellectual manner, but for many that puts them off right from the start. Also, some people who'll just never change, so try to pick your battles.