Being in an American High School.

[Rafiq]

Red greetings to all of the comrades here on Revleft. I have read Commies guide to high school, it was really good in all, But I think it left out many things.

To start, I live in America. I have been studying Socialism and I have declared myself a Marxist.

But one would Imagine that it is hard to be a Marxist in High School, because of the discrimination faced, but on top of being a Marxist, I am a Muslim, and an Arab!

When I have debates, which I seem to put up well, the teachers, students will just view me as an Anti-American Arab Terrorist, which they always do.

Sometimes, I wish I could pretend I was white, so when I have debates with the Americans they will listen to my words instead of my race.

It is hard to be Anti-Imperialist, and a Middle Eastern at the same time. I also have trouble getting into debates with fellow Muslims!

Don't tell me to leave my religious views, because 1. Even if I do i'm still an Arab. 2. A religion is someones personal belief and it is private and should never be thrown on another person, I judge by intellect, not religion, race.


So, what am I supposed to do?

[Tablo]

Just push through. Not much else you can do.

[TwoSevensClash]

High Schools rough man and those that challenge the status quo get harassed. I would say be confident and and be yourself. This may be the ultimate cliche but believe me I tried being someone I wasn't and i wanted to kill myself(seriously!). Listening to Rage Against The Machine and the Clash and the Who album Quadrophenia always helped me get through high school. Try to find people outside of school with your interest. I would also explain that Islam and Marx have nothing to do with each other. Good luck man!:)

[Rafiq]

High Schools rough man and those that challenge the status quo get harassed. I would say be confident and and be yourself. This may be the ultimate cliche but believe me I tried being someone I wasn't and i wanted to kill myself(seriously!). Listening to Rage Against The Machine and the Clash and the Who album Quadrophenia always helped me get through high school. Try to find people outside of school with your interest. I would also explain that Islam and Marx have nothing to do with each other. Good luck man!:)


Thanks comrade

[Adil3tr]

Red greetings to all of the comrades here on Revleft. I have read Commies guide to high school, it was really good in all, But I think it left out many things.

To start, I live in America. I have been studying Socialism and I have declared myself a Marxist.

But one would Imagine that it is hard to be a Marxist in High School, because of the discrimination faced, but on top of being a Marxist, I am a Muslim, and an Arab!

When I have debates, which I seem to put up well, the teachers, students will just view me as an Anti-American Arab Terrorist, which they always do.

Sometimes, I wish I could pretend I was white, so when I have debates with the Americans they will listen to my words instead of my race.

It is hard to be Anti-Imperialist, and a Middle Eastern at the same time. I also have trouble getting into debates with fellow Muslims!

Don't tell me to leave my religious views, because 1. Even if I do i'm still an Arab. 2. A religion is someones personal belief and it is private and should never be thrown on another person, I judge by intellect, not religion, race.


So, what am I supposed to do?

HEY! Same Here. High School, Muslim, but Pakistani. I hold fast to islam as well, but marxism is my philosophy and my political doctrine. I get through high school by laughing at republicans, its a lot of fun

[leftace53]

Well I'm not American (despite appearances, Canada is not America's hat), nor am I religious in the least, however I have had my fair share of experience in arguing against imperialism in high school, and being thought a terrorist of sorts thanks to my nowhere near white shade. Like others have said, don't let it get you down. Keep arguing against capitalism and imperialism with gumption. I tend to keep religion out of political arguments, and while it will be for different reasons, you may want to consider that as well (If you don't already), gets more people to focus on communism itself I find. Find people outside of school with some leftist opinions - in my town they hang out near used bookstores. Just keep your head held high.

[Adil3tr]

I'm going to run with my friends for control of the student government on a full communist platform. We have posters, a commercial, everything. Win people over with humor, then argument. It's too bad the student government has no power and does nothing.

[Apoi_Viitor]

I'm going to run with my friends for control of the student government on a full communist platform. We have posters, a commercial, everything. Win people over with humor, then argument. It's too bad the student government has no power and does nothing.

That's not true. As long as you have student support, you can do almost anything (within the limits of the federal/state law, of course). A while back, our school was having its annual senior student speeches, and the school administration decided to ban one student from speaking (this was a last minute decision, made the day of the speeches) because they felt his speech was inappropriate. So after the speeches were over, the students sat outside in the hallways and refused to go to class, until the speeches were re-scheduled (with the kid being allowed to present his speech uncensored).

So suffice to say, the students won. But if you're part of the student government, you should do more than just say to the teachers/principal "we want this done." You should work with and organize the students - have them take actions and make demands.

[Adil3tr]

Oh, in that sense I agree, but on its own, student government does very little. At my school, it plays a small role and students don't give two shits.

[Rafiq]

Well I'm not American (despite appearances, Canada is not America's hat), nor am I religious in the least, however I have had my fair share of experience in arguing against imperialism in high school, and being thought a terrorist of sorts thanks to my nowhere near white shade. Like others have said, don't let it get you down. Keep arguing against capitalism and imperialism with gumption. I tend to keep religion out of political arguments, and while it will be for different reasons, you may want to consider that as well (If you don't already), gets more people to focus on communism itself I find. Find people outside of school with some leftist opinions - in my town they hang out near used bookstores. Just keep your head held high.


Never have I brought in Religion to my political arguments. They are all against capitalism, Fascism, Imperialism ect.

But somehow they find out I am a Muslim.

So they don't debate with me, they just dismiss me as a Communist-Nazi-Taliban-Baby Eating- Terrorist.

[Rafiq]

HEY! Same Here. High School, Muslim, but Pakistani. I hold fast to islam as well, but marxism is my philosophy and my political doctrine. I get through high school by laughing at republicans, its a lot of fun


Same here, Marxism is my philosophy and my political doctrine. I fast too. But I never Bring Religion into my arguments, I never mention my religion either.

I live in a conservative place, so most of the kids have their heads up their asses.

[Rafiq]

I'm going to run with my friends for control of the student government on a full communist platform. We have posters, a commercial, everything. Win people over with humor, then argument. It's too bad the student government has no power and does nothing.

To win over the Masses in an American high school, we cannot be intellectual in any way.

We have to win them over, to stoop to their level, like "The current Student Regime is exactly as Nazi Germany's Regime, so let's throw in Communism to stop the Baby Eating Nazi-Hippies

[Rafiq]

That's not true. As long as you have student support, you can do almost anything (within the limits of the federal/state law, of course). A while back, our school was having its annual senior student speeches, and the school administration decided to ban one student from speaking (this was a last minute decision, made the day of the speeches) because they felt his speech was inappropriate. So after the speeches were over, the students sat outside in the hallways and refused to go to class, until the speeches were re-scheduled (with the kid being allowed to present his speech uncensored).

So suffice to say, the students won. But if you're part of the student government, you should do more than just say to the teachers/principal "we want this done." You should work with and organize the students - have them take actions and make demands.



Whenever Socialism, Communism or Marxism are mentioned, the American masses have that Mcarthyist earmuffs choking their logical brain, so what we must do is teach Marxism, with a different name, like "Modern Economics"

[Revolution starts with U]

Eh, if you were white they'd dismiss you cuz you're poor. If you were white and not poor, they would just assume you're a stoner, no matter how much you deny it. Capitalist hegemony runs deep here in the states. Even people against imperialism will see you as anti-american if you suggest anything but reformist policies doomed to failure.

[Adil3tr]

To win over the Masses in an American high school, we cannot be intellectual in any way.

We have to win them over, to stoop to their level, like "The current Student Regime is exactly as Nazi Germany's Regime, so let's throw in Communism to stop the Baby Eating Nazi-Hippies

This is one of my posters
http://www.revleft.com/vb/picture.php?albumid=695&pictureid=6392

[Il Medico]

High school, especially in America is full of idiots. And not just the ones teaching you. (bada bing boom bing) But really, you're going to get harassed, as any kid in high school. Just take it and do you best not to give a damn. (also, don't make politics your life man, bad idea, you lose a lot of friend that way)

[Reznov]

To start, I live in America. I have been studying Socialism and I have declared myself a Marxist.

But one would Imagine that it is hard to be a Marxist in High School, because of the discrimination faced, but on top of being a Marxist, I am a Muslim, and an Arab!

When I have debates, which I seem to put up well, the teachers, students will just view me as an Anti-American Arab Terrorist, which they always do.

Sometimes, I wish I could pretend I was white, so when I have debates with the Americans they will listen to my words instead of my race.

It is hard to be Anti-Imperialist, and a Middle Eastern at the same time. I also have trouble getting into debates with fellow Muslims!


Believe me, its not because of your race or religion.

Its high school and the basic stupidity of the dumbfucks that we call classmates, teachers etc...

I get the same thing mainly because A) no one cares and B) they just like making jokes to seem cooler.

Best way is to not even argue, as it gets you no where.

[Reznov]

Eh, if you were white they'd dismiss you cuz you're poor. If you were white and not poor, they would just assume you're a stoner, no matter how much you deny it. Capitalist hegemony runs deep here in the states. Even people against imperialism will see you as anti-american if you suggest anything but reformist policies doomed to failure.

Could not have said it any better. There is always something wrong with you if you are a Marxist or sympathetic towards Socalism/Communism.

[Revolution starts with U]

Thats not to say there not prejudiced against arabs/mustlims, or anything that isnt a white protestant christian, just that people's seperatism doesn't end with racism.

[Apoi_Viitor]

Whenever Socialism, Communism or Marxism are mentioned, the American masses have that Mcarthyist earmuffs choking their logical brain, so what we must do is teach Marxism, with a different name, like "Modern Economics"

Hint: Just refer to everything you do as "democracy". Whenever a teacher or student would cry out, "but that's communism!", I would simply respond, "no, that's democracy".

[Rusty Shackleford]

hang in there. being an arab, muslim, and a communist in the US is probably one of the most difficult things right now. i hardly have any advice to give though :(

[Agnapostate]

Sometimes, I wish I could pretend I was white, so when I have debates with the Americans they will listen to my words instead of my race.

Arabs, properly speaking, aren't a race, but members of a primarily Arabic-speaking ethnic group (though many Egyptians would want to exclude themselves). Their ties are cultural and linguistic, not genetic. If you say that you can "pretend" you are white, that seems to imply that you possess a sufficient amount of European admixture to look white, even if you don't consider yourself to be. So I'd recommend not explicitly mentioning that you are Arab.

[Aloysius]

Arabs, properly speaking, aren't a race, but members of a primarily Arabic-speaking ethnic group (though many Egyptians would want to exclude themselves). Their ties are cultural and linguistic, not genetic. If you say that you can "pretend" you are white, that seems to imply that you possess a sufficient amount of European admixture to look white, even if you don't consider yourself to be. So I'd recommend not explicitly mentioning that you are Arab.
Nitpicker.

Anyway.
Only a few people at my high school know I'm a Communist, but it's only a matter of time before they (the whole student body, maybe some teachers) hang and burn an effigy of me, and not get charged with a hate crime.

[Agnapostate]

Nitpicker.

Some people might find the issue of considerably more importance when Israeli government apologists blame Palestinians' "fellow Arabs" for not taking them in, when it should be questioned why unrelated communities should be blamed more than Israeli government and military.

[Rusty Shackleford]

Nitpicker.

Anyway.
Only a few people at my high school know I'm a Communist, but it's only a matter of time before they (the whole student body, maybe some teachers) hang and burn an effigy of me, and not get charged with a hate crime.
why? whats going on?

[Kayser_Soso]

Red greetings to all of the comrades here on Revleft. I have read Commies guide to high school, it was really good in all, But I think it left out many things.

To start, I live in America. I have been studying Socialism and I have declared myself a Marxist.

But one would Imagine that it is hard to be a Marxist in High School, because of the discrimination faced, but on top of being a Marxist, I am a Muslim, and an Arab!

When I have debates, which I seem to put up well, the teachers, students will just view me as an Anti-American Arab Terrorist, which they always do.

Sometimes, I wish I could pretend I was white, so when I have debates with the Americans they will listen to my words instead of my race.

It is hard to be Anti-Imperialist, and a Middle Eastern at the same time. I also have trouble getting into debates with fellow Muslims!

Don't tell me to leave my religious views, because 1. Even if I do i'm still an Arab. 2. A religion is someones personal belief and it is private and should never be thrown on another person, I judge by intellect, not religion, race.


So, what am I supposed to do?

I don't have a lot of advice other than continue keeping religion out of the discussion. You can make a point that the aim of socialist society is to keep religion out of all state matters so no sect or faith would face discrimination or bias.

What I can say that will cheer you up is that many of the people who are "cool" in high school turn out to be total losers. Those that "succeed" usually do so on Mom and Dad's dime anyway.

And whenever you feel like you just can't go on, and that the world is against you, Google the name Chris-Chan, and you will realize it's not so bad.

[Reznov]

Thats not to say there not prejudiced against arabs/mustlims, or anything that isnt a white protestant christian, just that people's seperatism doesn't end with racism.

Or if your only the white student in a heavily black student population. (As I was.)

Yeah, racism can go both ways, just saying'. (Didn't mean to bust your bubble!)

[Autumn Red]

Keep pushing through brother. In my school I usually do some anonymous activism because I would be expelled from my school if I did anything in the open. One of the only five black students at my school was expelled because he came wearing a black panther button on his back pack. The administration went into such a tizzy that the school board decided that he was trying to incite "racial violence" and kicked him out. That is how absolutely crazy my High School is.

Salaam Aleikum, and good luck.

[Revolution starts with U]

Trust me, I am reminded of the fact that racism is not a white only thing every time I watch 90% of black comedians. "White poeple do this, black people do that" hahahhhahahaha. What? Im white, I dont do that. I think you mean "rich/poor" people, friend.
On another note, anyone who says affirmative action is "reverse racism" is a moron and an asshole. There is only racism, plain and simple. Affirmative action is "positive racism," like when people say "asians are smart.":thumbup1:

[Peace on Earth]

Always have enough facts on your side, and don't act like a dick. You won't convince anyone if you keep shouting about capitalist pigs and the evil imperialist system. It's true, but for many people who still are under the mindset of America and capitalism being the best there is, it will be too much of a shocker. You can't take someones world away without replacing it. Try to explain nicely and show examples, such as American corporations colluding with governments to overthrow elected regimes, and other examples of U.S. backed human-rights violations and overthrows.

As for any remarks made toward your ethnicity or political stance, just push through. It's tough, but if you're lucky you'll begin to get some friends on your side. It makes things a lot easier with some supporters.

[Kayser_Soso]

Trust me, I am reminded of the fact that racism is not a white only thing every time I watch 90% of black comedians. "White poeple do this, black people do that" hahahhhahahaha. What? Im white, I dont do that. I think you mean "rich/poor" people, friend.
On another note, anyone who says affirmative action is "reverse racism" is a moron and an asshole. There is only racism, plain and simple. Affirmative action is "positive racism," like when people say "asians are smart.":thumbup1:

That's no really "racism" so much as it is just bad, out-dated material. Ok perhaps it is mean-spirited but the fact is those kind of jokes don't actually harm people, unlike racism against blacks and such.

[Revolution starts with U]

I totally agree. I think it promotes ignorance, but its not seperatist like negative institutionalized racism. Which is what brought it up. It's like when the Beckenites scream "reverse racism." Sorry guys, you can no more reverse racism than you can the spinning of the earth. The reverse of racism is what? Not racism? Its just racism, positive racism created to overcome their idiotic belief that not white = inferior. As long as people believe races exist, and they dont, intelligent people will have to stop ignorant people from trying to act better than.

[The Idler]

Perhaps the OP should show Planet of the Arabs to his class.
Mi1ZNEjEarw

[Rusty Shackleford]

jesus christ that was racist as fuck. but a damn good look at the very way the west has portrayed arabs over decades in film and television.

i dont know if i am shocked or if i think it was a good collection to show american portrayal or arabs.

[durhamleft]

Red greetings to all of the comrades here on Revleft. I have read Commies guide to high school, it was really good in all, But I think it left out many things.

To start, I live in America. I have been studying Socialism and I have declared myself a Marxist.

But one would Imagine that it is hard to be a Marxist in High School, because of the discrimination faced, but on top of being a Marxist, I am a Muslim, and an Arab!

When I have debates, which I seem to put up well, the teachers, students will just view me as an Anti-American Arab Terrorist, which they always do.

Sometimes, I wish I could pretend I was white, so when I have debates with the Americans they will listen to my words instead of my race.

It is hard to be Anti-Imperialist, and a Middle Eastern at the same time. I also have trouble getting into debates with fellow Muslims!

Don't tell me to leave my religious views, because 1. Even if I do i'm still an Arab. 2. A religion is someones personal belief and it is private and should never be thrown on another person, I judge by intellect, not religion, race.


So, what am I supposed to do?

I live in Britain and am effectively in what is your "high school".

What I have done is locate the other socialists in my school, began setting up socialist meetings and we have actually began sucking 'liberals' into more revolutionary thought. The fact theres just under a dozen of us means that while most my friends do not agree with my views, they respect them as I do not impose them upon them but merely explain my views when challenged. I don't know how feasible that would be in America, especially as an Arab I could imagine you having your entire neighbourhood bombed by the CIA.

[NoOneIsIllegal]

It's high school. Even if you were white, christian, bourgeoisie, you would still lose. No one wins in the land of zits, tampons, and awkwardness. Just ride it out and do a lot of imperialist bashing when you can. FUCK YEAH!

[The Idler]

Of 900 films made in Hollywood from 1896 to 2004, only about a dozen show Arabs in a positive light.

[MrCharizma]

Yeah man, high school sucks ass if you slightly differ from the rest. It's sad, so sad, a fellow Lefty friend of mine from Iran is constantly bullied, a day doesn't go by without him being called a terrorist, it's pretty ironic though that it's mostly Asians doing the bullying. Then when anyone says any racist comment towards Asians they're all anti-racism, get all hostile and start a ruckus.

I'm still in high school also, but from an Irish background, all I can say is push through my friend, push through.

[BeerShaman]

I am a high school student too. I am agnosticist or something like that (basically I don't give a coin about metaphysics and religion). Though, I'm greek and I'm in Greece. And I'm anarcho-communist. It is very hard to get people listenning to you or just discussing with you seriously. Just grab every possible opportunity and remember that trying is everything. Never let yourself get disappointed. If you just didn't try, everything would be worse.
I just say this to myself every time something gets shitty (and believe me, almost noone accepts my ideas): "At least, I tried for what I believe."
This is what is giving you value. The fact that you have some high beliefs and you work for them, when everybody just live without higher cause.

[BeerShaman]

You may also try to type leaflets and hang them on the walls or leave them on desks.
Just be careful and keep out of authorities' sight (like the school-guards or the director).
It is important that you pass your meanings with clever images, in order to influence one's consciousness more opnely.

[Agnapostate]

I am a high school student too. I am agnosticist or something like that (basically I don't give a coin about metaphysics and religion).

An apatheist?

[MrCharizma]

An apatheist?

I thought apatheism and agnosticism are pretty closely related, though the former is lack of interest or not caring at all, the latter is just you don't believe one way or another and that religious claims are unknown or unknowable.

So him saying

basically I don't give a coin about metaphysics and religion

Means he is an apatheist.

[Revolution starts with U]

If there are apatheists, does that mean there are agressatheists too?
Oh wait, just answered my own question.... :D

[Medvyet]

At my high school, none of the white kids want to hang with me because I'm Russo-Japanese (evil races as far as they're concerned), none of the black kids want to hang with me because I'm white, and the only people who will even speak to me are the latin-american kids. On the plus side, they taught me bueno espanol. :thumbup1:
But when someone finds out through trial and error that I'm a communist, they kick me out of their lives, regardless of race. But I think it's better to be hated by all collectively than to be hated by some selectively. As my communist friend from the Dominican Republic says, "Quiero todo o nada."

[duchetina]

Red greetings to all of the comrades here on Revleft. I have read Commies guide to high school, it was really good in all, But I think it left out many things.

To start, I live in America. I have been studying Socialism and I have declared myself a Marxist.

But one would Imagine that it is hard to be a Marxist in High School, because of the discrimination faced, but on top of being a Marxist, I am a Muslim, and an Arab!

When I have debates, which I seem to put up well, the teachers, students will just view me as an Anti-American Arab Terrorist, which they always do.

Sometimes, I wish I could pretend I was white, so when I have debates with the Americans they will listen to my words instead of my race.

It is hard to be Anti-Imperialist, and a Middle Eastern at the same time. I also have trouble getting into debates with fellow Muslims!

Don't tell me to leave my religious views, because 1. Even if I do i'm still an Arab. 2. A religion is someones personal belief and it is private and should never be thrown on another person, I judge by intellect, not religion, race.


So, what am I supposed to do?make own marxist band,when girls go crazy it will not be matter any more who you are

[Armchair War Criminal]

Everyone is an idiot in highschool, even oneself. Just take the time to learn - as you should through the rest of your life - and don't get too frustrated.

[Manic Impressive]

Be like this guy :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtU7ERJ3cTw (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtU7ERJ3cTw)

[Red Future]

I am on my student council at my Secondary(High School) and yes they do little ,little do they know though they unwittingly chose a Marxist !!!:lol:

[RED DAVE]

The good thing is that being is high school is a disease with a fairly high recovery rate.

RED DAVE

[WeAreReborn]

I am on my student council at my Secondary(High School) and yes they do little ,little do they know though they unwittingly chose a Marxist !!!:lol:
Clearly not Anarchist since you are engaging in politics lol.

[∞]

Aye, I'm Pakistani I know how you feel. Fortunately I'm an atheist, so whenever I'm labeled a 'terrorist' (to them there is only one kind) I tell them I don't believe in Allah to begin with. Just keep at it. People hated me at first, but I joined the debate team, gained respect and argued my teachers, no hold barred style, DOO NOT BE AFRAID TO SAY THE WHOLE TRUTH.

[Takanago]

High School is a haven for intolerance and people with bad opinions. At least, it is where I've been. My small-town high school had a principal that worked to marginalize LGBT rights supporters and activists. He effectively dissolved the school club system to get rid of the Gay-Straight Alliance and whenever there is a LGBT awareness event, like the Day of Silence, he has the school hold an event on the same day where people do the same thing and make it related to something else.

But even with the intolerance of the principal and people like him, there were still plenty of good people. There are a lot of people whose opinions you just won't be able to budge, but in any high school there should be people that should accept your views, even if they don't agree with them. You should not worry about intolerant people.

[GPDP]

Yeah, as others here have said, just try to coast through high school. I don't think it's worthwhile to make ideological enemies in such a place, especially when you'll be out in a couple of years and, unless you live in a small town and don't plan to leave, you likely won't see most of your classmates ever again anyway.

High school is a dumb place where only the obnoxious and the popular get respect, and everyone seems to think they have a complete view of the world when they've yet to even see two-decades' worth of life in it. In a place replete with such idiots whom you will part ways with soon enough, your best bet is to just keep to yourself, get the fucker over with, and enjoy college, where no one gives a fuck. :D

[∞]

Be like this guy :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtU7ERJ3cTw (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtU7ERJ3cTw)

I'll be one of those Anarcho kids young Trotsky will grow to hate.

"Rudolf, stop creating unions within our union.

[Agnapostate]

Feel free to leave high school if you hate it that much and there are meaningful alternatives available. It's depicted in a bad light in popular culture, but I dropped out of high school and never looked back. I took the California High School Proficiency Exam, received a Certificate of Proficiency, and left after sophomore year for community college, on track to earn an associate's degree at the time that same-aged people would be getting their "real" high school diplomas.

[BeerShaman]

An apatheist?
Yep. Although, I didn't know the phrase! Too many -isms in the world! :P
Yes, I am such one.

[BeerShaman]

At my high school, none of the white kids want to hang with me because I'm Russo-Japanese (evil races as far as they're concerned), none of the black kids want to hang with me because I'm white, and the only people who will even speak to me are the latin-american kids. On the plus side, they taught me bueno espanol. :thumbup1:
But when someone finds out through trial and error that I'm a communist, they kick me out of their lives, regardless of race. But I think it's better to be hated by all collectively than to be hated by some selectively. As my communist friend from the Dominican Republic says, "Quiero todo o nada."
Then, at least try to be respected. Like saying: "hated by many, loved by few, respected by all."