Fucking political labels

[CynicalIdealist]

Help me with this trivial issue, revleft.

I don't want to call myself a socialist around others, because that makes people assume that I'm just a big liberal. I don't want to call myself an anarchist because people just assume that I hate laws, love alternative lifestyles, etc. I really want to call myself a communist, but at the same time I recognize that people associate communism with Stalin, all the atrocities of centrally planned societies rather than their gains, etc. Basically, calling myself a communist (or an anarchist come to think about it) would totally delegitimize me among non-open minded individuals.

So uh... :\

[Widerstand]

dont label urself then?

[CynicalIdealist]

I usually only label myself when questioned. >_> But how to answer?

[Broletariat]

I usually only label myself when questioned. >_> But how to answer?
Use one of the more general labels. Revolutionary Leftist, Scientific Socialist, Revolutionary Socialist, Libertarian Communist. Something like that, add an adjective to the front of the word that would generally counter its mainstream perception, EG Libertarian Communist, Revolutionary Socialist.

[Rooster]

Anti-capitalist? Surely that's a good term for people who'll look at you weird if you said Communist.

[CynicalIdealist]

Anti-capitalist is too... non-definitive and "anti" for my tastes.

[Sensible Socialist]

Say you're in favor of workers democracy, or democratic workplaces. If someone wants to argue with you, they'd basically (in the minds of others around) be arguing against democracy.

[Meridian]

Help me with this trivial issue, revleft.

I don't want to call myself a socialist around others, because that makes people assume that I'm just a big liberal. I don't want to call myself an anarchist because people just assume that I hate laws, love alternative lifestyles, etc. I really want to call myself a communist, but at the same time I recognize that people associate communism with Stalin, all the atrocities of centrally planned societies rather than their gains, etc. Basically, calling myself a communist (or an anarchist come to think about it) would totally delegitimize me among non-open minded individuals.

So uh... :\
Fuck them. Not literally.

Don't call yourself anything around those kinds of people. Call yourself a communist to anyone who is willing to listen.

[The Garbage Disposal Unit]

"Communizer!"
"What do you think I am?"
"BUILD THE PARTY!"
"I'd rather show you than tell you . . ."
"I'm really into Agamben."


Fuck them. Not literally.

Or, alternatively, fuck them, literally.
I generally assume that anyone asking about my politics is making a pass at me.

[Ele'ill]

Basically, calling myself a communist (or an anarchist come to think about it) would totally delegitimize me among non-open minded individuals.


Share the ideas you understand, like best and think would work from those ideologies. There's no need to use labels if the people you're talking with don't know what the labels mean.

[Quail]

You don't have to label yourself. Perhaps you could explain some of the things that you believe in (such as worker control of the means of production or whatever) without using any specific label. I call myself an anarchist communist if pushed, but I think it's better to explain my ideas without using "offputting" words.

[GPDP]

Try calling yourself a little-d democrat. When people ask why the "little-d," say you are a proponent of democracy in all areas of life, including the economy. I'd say even the most uneducated (provided they're not total reactionaries) would look fondly upon that.

[Manic Impressive]

Call yourself whatever you feel comfortable with. I don't get what this hiding in the communist/anarchist closet is all about be out be loud and proud:reda::hammersickle:.

[Comrade Gwydion]

In "comrade" Chavez's words:

"We should all wear a patch, saying: 'I am a communist. Be warned, I am a communist and I may be contagious'."

[electro_fan]

a dirty fucking leftie

works for me init :)

[UjimaTribesman]

I don't bother to be too specific when it comes to labeling. I call myself a socialist.

[Tablo]

Libertarian Socialist sounds okay. The libertarian parts makes sure they don't think of you as a liberal. It's what I call myself. :D

[NGNM85]

What really matters is what you believe, what ideas you actually subscribe to, that should make it pretty simple. I'm an Anarchist so I tell people I'm an Anarchist, or a Libertarian Socialist, because they are, essentially, interchangeable.

[Pretty Flaco]

Call yourself whatever you feel comfortable with. I don't get what this hiding in the communist/anarchist closet is all about be out be loud and proud:reda::hammersickle:.

In the US of A people wouldn't believe you if you told them you were a communist. It's not good to describe oneself as that because no one would take you seriously.
Some(mattering where you live) would take "socialist" or "anarchist" or especially "libertarian socialist" seriously, but never "communist". They'll think you worship North Korea or want to turn the US into 1984. In a lot of schools, they compare fascism and communism and refer to them as "authoritarian" ideologies in textbooks.

[ExUnoDisceOmnes]

In the US of A people wouldn't believe you if you told them you were a communist. It's not good to describe oneself as that because no one would take you seriously.
Some(mattering where you live) would take "socialist" or "anarchist" or especially "libertarian socialist" seriously, but never "communist". They'll think you worship North Korea or want to turn the US into 1984. In a lot of schools, they compare fascism and communism and refer to them as "authoritarian" ideologies in textbooks.

...my school...

[Manic Impressive]

In the US of A people wouldn't believe you if you told them you were a communist. It's not good to describe oneself as that because no one would take you seriously.
Some(mattering where you live) would take "socialist" or "anarchist" or especially "libertarian socialist" seriously, but never "communist". They'll think you worship North Korea or want to turn the US into 1984. In a lot of schools, they compare fascism and communism and refer to them as "authoritarian" ideologies in textbooks.
Same here well actually I don't ever remember hearing communism mentioned once while I was at school. But yeah there are plenty of people who don't take me seriously when I tell them but then later they'll come back and ask what it's all about. If someone starts saying "what like NK or USSR" I give them a look like they have said something incredibly stupid before telling them what it's all about. I think if more of us actually were open and honest about our views then true socialism would not seem like such a marginal or historical movement. I also kind of feel like it's my duty to tell my fellow proles that there are other possibilities to capitalism and engage them in conversation about how capitalism effects them personally as well as society as a whole. I'm sure I annoy a shit load of people but generally even the friends who don't want to talk or think about it get worn down eventually :p This approach may seem a bit preachy but I've managed to change a few opinions so I find it worth it.

(just realized I'm almost the equivalent of a communist Jehovahs witness. I'll be knocking on peoples doors next to ask them if they have a few moments to talk about Karl Marx:lol:)

[FreeEire]

I don't think people should have any problems with being called a Socialist or a Communist if it accurately describes your beliefs.

It shouldn't be something to be nervous about but rather proud about, given that you have reached a level of political awakening which most people sadly never reach. Otherwise, use some of the other labels suggested here, depending on your audience. My personal favourite is describing myself a "democratic socialist" or "leftist" which generally puts people at ease.

The worst that can happen is you get the USSR, North Korea, Vietnam, or China analogy. I've generally found that people don't know alot about Cuba so its generally easier to build a positive image of a success story out of it, especially since the release of Micheal Moore's Sicko which gave a positive view of the healthcare system there.

[Rafiq]

Tell people you're a Marxist, and if you aren't, call yourself a Revolutionary Socialist.

[thriller]

Don't be afraid to use the term communist. If you're a communist say it loudly and proudly. Don't let others misinterpretations define you. I'm a communist, and I say it all the time. I have read Marx, I have read Lenin, I have read Debs. The critics of Communism haven't, so what the fuck do they know? If you let other people define you, we have no chance of success.

And if you don't feel you are any certain label, call yourself a human being. That's the label I wish I had.

[The Idler]

"Libertarian communist" will generally prompt the reply "How can you be Libertarian and a communist?" at which point you can forget the label and begin explaining your ideology.

[The Garbage Disposal Unit]

Anyone asking about your politics is probably in love with the ideology of capital-P politics. Just scream "I AM BECOMING WHATEVER NOMADIC WAR MACHINE!" then punch them.

[Red Commissar]

Declare yourself a Forkliftist. It is free of the stigma of the big lie that has been spread about socialism.

[Tommy4ever]

I'd say calling yourself a Marxist is a good way to go (so long as you are one obviously).

If you say your a communist people think Stalin and the Soviet Union, if you say your a socialist people think Labour and Social Democrats. Call yourself a Marxist and you are niether seen as a baby eating Bolshevik nor a toothless Social Democrat.

This is what I do anyway.

[Magón]

I've recently started saying whenever asked what my political leanings are, as, "Whatever you're not."

It usually gets some heads turning, and people thinking. (And I'm right 100% of the time.)

[Rusty Shackleford]

Luxembourg and Lenin were communists.

Kropotkin and Bakunin were communists.

if your goal is a classless-stateless society then you are a communist.