Help radicalising my school

[Broletariat]

I'm in the USA and I've overheard several teachers complaining profusely about budget cuts and work load increases and arbitrary standards they have to adhere to. I've tried working on the students before but none of them really care and I live in rural America so they're mostly far-right and such. The teachers on the other hand have been spouting lines I've seen posted on here. Things like "They're cutting our pay, why not their own pay?"

What would be the best way to approach a teacher to help push things to the left? The social studies wing is further to the right than the other wings, the business wing ironically is where I feel like I have the best chances of success. Should I individually approach a business teacher about the situation and talk about the solutions Socialism offers? Perhaps without using the word obviously, go off about workers' self-management then after I have him/her agreeing call it for what it is and go from there?

Is there any relevant material to the situation I can offer? I'd feel awkward just going up to one of them and being like, "Oh hey budget cuts, go read Das Kapital." I want to be able to make references to something immediately relevant and applicable. And in what way could I lead in to the conversation exactly? Again it'd be weird to just be like, "They're giving you more work for less pay ehh? Sounds like we should overthrow the government and capitalist system to me what about you?" Or something.

Obviously these quotations in the last snippet are caricatures I'd be less blunt than that.

[AnarchoCommunistEyepatch]

I found that it is easier to start off convincing them to go on protests or take other forms of non-direct action on particular issues such as budget cuts etc. or if someone says something about something not working give a casual conversational explanation that critiques capitalism in some way, don't get ideological about things until you have a good rapport going and they won't just dismiss you and your ideas out of hand. Once you have a few people on board i suggest forming an open group to organise protests and make pamphlets, posters etc.

[BIG BROTHER]

Were do you live? March 2nd is the Statewide day of action against the budget cuts in Califaztlan.(CA)

I can email you flyers and see if I can hook you up with someone.

People usually radicalize around concrete actions.

[Ocean Seal]

I'm in the USA and I've overheard several teachers complaining profusely about budget cuts and work load increases and arbitrary standards they have to adhere to. I've tried working on the students before but none of them really care and I live in rural America so they're mostly far-right and such. The teachers on the other hand have been spouting lines I've seen posted on here. Things like "They're cutting our pay, why not their own pay?"

What would be the best way to approach a teacher to help push things to the left? The social studies wing is further to the right than the other wings, the business wing ironically is where I feel like I have the best chances of success. Should I individually approach a business teacher about the situation and talk about the solutions Socialism offers? Perhaps without using the word obviously, go off about workers' self-management then after I have him/her agreeing call it for what it is and go from there?

Is there any relevant material to the situation I can offer? I'd feel awkward just going up to one of them and being like, "Oh hey budget cuts, go read Das Kapital." I want to be able to make references to something immediately relevant and applicable. And in what way could I lead in to the conversation exactly? Again it'd be weird to just be like, "They're giving you more work for less pay ehh? Sounds like we should overthrow the government and capitalist system to me what about you?" Or something.

Obviously these quotations in the last snippet are caricatures I'd be less blunt than that.
The word socialism is a red flag (pun not intended). However, you should focus on workers self-management. Try to take people on personally, teachers and students. People like to have a chorus: Make sure that they know that you empathize with what they're going through. Also understand where their concerns come from, and make sure that you make them see a common enemy. The enemy is the establishment: the administration, the bourgeois government (address as corrupt government), privatization, and the corporations.
Step 1: Listen
Step 2: Echo their concerns
Step 3: Cite the fact that the government is doing a poor job/ how they don't represent the people.
Step 4: Tie in increased privatization with less public funding and anything else you can find that would turn teachers against capitalism. About how the school's organization doesn't allow them to have a voice and how the state is making cuts everywhere. Take a, cut the waste not the workers approach.
Step 5: Bring in the culprits responsible: the rich, the corporations. They caused the crash.

We can't stand for their greed, and their constant abuse on the worker. This is their mess and we have to clean it up. The corporations must be held accountable for their mistakes, where's our bailout?

Now their anti-capitalists without even knowing it. You can try to push socialism now, if you think that it will be receptive.

This isn't a perfect guide, and I'm not sure about what the situation is like at your school, but just consider it friendly advice. If you think of something better, make sure to use it, and tell me, so that I can do a better job of radicalizing my school.

[Decolonize The Left]

In general, you don't want to seem like you're pushing a program of any sort. You want to appear as a concerned individual. Don't offer reading material, don't use hot-button words. And certainly don't say that you want to advocate socialism in your school. Not only is this ridiculous, but it's also a sure-fire way to get you a trip to the administration.

In short, you are thinking of advocating for a teacher's union. You should know that this has probably already been discussed and may be frowned upon by both teachers and administrators. If you are going to try and unionize the teachers you have one main problem: you aren't one. You're best bet is to find a teacher who shares your viewpoint and offer to help them however you can.

I don't mean to discourage you, perhaps something like this (http://www.revleft.com/vb/high-school-students-t146989/index.html) would be easier?

- August

[Aloysius]

I've been thinking about doing the same, anonymously, of course.
I was, first, thinking of making my own underground school paper and distributing it with the help of some friends, but such publications are against the "rules".
Ah well.

[The Garbage Disposal Unit]

The more underground, the more against the rules, the more able you'll be to call the whole business in question. Schools are prisons.
The ultimate goal should be either occupying them and putting them to better use, or torching them.

[Fietsketting]

I've been thinking about doing the same, anonymously, of course.
I was, first, thinking of making my own underground school paper and distributing it with the help of some friends, but such publications are against the "rules".
Ah well.

And? Make one and distribute them around. You can make em look like an outside publication. be creative.

[PoliticalNightmare]

Step 1: Listen
Step 2: Echo their concerns
Step 3: Cite the fact that the government is doing a poor job/ how they don't represent the people.
Step 4: Tie in increased privatization with less public funding and anything else you can find that would turn teachers against capitalism. About how the school's organization doesn't allow them to have a voice and how the state is making cuts everywhere. Take a, cut the waste not the workers approach.
Step 5: Bring in the culprits responsible: the rich, the corporations. They caused the crash.

I like this advice. A lot. Particularly the bit I put in bold.

[ExUnoDisceOmnes]

From my experience in school, if administration catches you spreading radical leftist politics, they get incredibly angry. They assume that you're spreading trouble (which, in a way, you are).

I would be very careful. I've considered doing this in my own school where there are only two socialists... but it's really a battle uphill. I would start by talking about the agenda without EVER saying your real political affiliation. People tend to support the ideas themselves. Then, after a few weeks, ask them if they support x y and z. If they say yes, then tell them that they support a true leftist viewpoint. If they reject it after you tell them that they support a communist standpoint, call them hypocrites (in a roundabout fashion of course). After thought, they usually come around. Just don't pressure them.

[Burn A Flag]

From my experience in school, if administration catches you spreading radical leftist politics, they get incredibly angry. They assume that you're spreading trouble (which, in a way, you are).

I would be very careful. I've considered doing this in my own school where there are only two socialists... but it's really a battle uphill. I would start by talking about the agenda without EVER saying your real political affiliation. People tend to support the ideas themselves. Then, after a few weeks, ask them if they support x y and z. If they say yes, then tell them that they support a true leftist viewpoint. If they reject it after you tell them that they support a communist standpoint, call them hypocrites (in a roundabout fashion of course). After thought, they usually come around. Just don't pressure them.

What if the cats already out of the bag and everyone knows you're a socialist? Then it's a bit annoying because you get the whole "nothing other than our current system can work" BS. Basically people think of me more as radical and a joker than as having legitimate views.

[ExUnoDisceOmnes]

What if the cats already out of the bag and everyone knows you're a socialist? Then it's a bit annoying because you get the whole "nothing other than our current system can work" BS. Basically people think of me more as radical and a joker than as having legitimate views.

My first piece of advice would be not to force your agenda on others. If someone comes to you with questions or arguments, be prepared to debunk them. Oftentimes they become less abrasive and no longer oppose the cause (although they may not necessarily support it). Just talk calmly, know what you're talking about, and eventually someone will agree with you. Then you can turn the whole "double teamed by stupid capitalists" thing around. If you act composed and knowledgeable without annoying anybody, you'll be taken seriously and people will listen to your ideas instead of labeling you. They may even come to you for a different perspective on things, which is a start.

[Burn A Flag]

My first piece of advice would be not to force your agenda on others. If someone comes to you with questions or arguments, be prepared to debunk them. Oftentimes they become less abrasive and no longer oppose the cause (although they may not necessarily support it). Just talk calmly, know what you're talking about, and eventually someone will agree with you. Then you can turn the whole "double teamed by stupid capitalists" thing around. If you act composed and knowledgeable without annoying anybody, you'll be taken seriously and people will listen to your ideas instead of labeling you. They may even come to you for a different perspective on things, which is a start.

I'm improved on this greatly from when I first became a proto-leftist. I guess I need to just try to refrain from bringing that shit up, but it's so hard not to since school is boring and I always end up bringing leftist ideals or anti US ideals up.

[Aloysius]

I should be getting a few copies of CrimethInc.'s "Fighting For Our Lives" in the mail soon.
After I distribute those and I see a good amount of upheaval, I'll make some of my own zines and flyers and wage some written warfare.