MarxSchmarx
31st May 2010, 06:42
Every leftist organization that I've ever been involved with spends an enormous amount of time and resources hashing out "Statements on" the international crisis de jour. While I perfectly understand the logic behind these statements (and generally respect how well thought out they are), I seriously wonder if they aren't misdirected resources.
First, no one really cares about these statements except the people that produce them, and the people that hate the group that produced them. Their claims to solidarity for the oppressed in far flung places are also a little shallow, because very rarely are the people for whom "The Statement" is made aware that such a statement was made in their behalf. much less how it will materially affect their condition.
At best, I've come to regard such statements as little more than pats on their own backs from people that release them. Often, they are used as tools in sectarian bickering and provide ample opportunities for latent resentments to surface within groups. In my own group back in the day, I remember hashing out such statements about the latest act of reactionary repression on the other side of the globe (it was Mugabe's reelection for those curious) created considerable ill will among cadre that agreed on 99.99 % of things. Ultimately I left for other reasons, but the group persisted, and still being on their email list I see they are having the same acrimonious and prolonged debates about creating this perfect "Statement".
So, why should statements continue to play as prominent a role in our organizations time and effort?
First, no one really cares about these statements except the people that produce them, and the people that hate the group that produced them. Their claims to solidarity for the oppressed in far flung places are also a little shallow, because very rarely are the people for whom "The Statement" is made aware that such a statement was made in their behalf. much less how it will materially affect their condition.
At best, I've come to regard such statements as little more than pats on their own backs from people that release them. Often, they are used as tools in sectarian bickering and provide ample opportunities for latent resentments to surface within groups. In my own group back in the day, I remember hashing out such statements about the latest act of reactionary repression on the other side of the globe (it was Mugabe's reelection for those curious) created considerable ill will among cadre that agreed on 99.99 % of things. Ultimately I left for other reasons, but the group persisted, and still being on their email list I see they are having the same acrimonious and prolonged debates about creating this perfect "Statement".
So, why should statements continue to play as prominent a role in our organizations time and effort?