Son of the Manifesto
14th March 2011, 10:43
Hello, one and all. I am Son of the Manifesto.
As an introduction, I'll give a quick biography. I'm a relatively recent member of the communist ideal. The idea always had elements of attraction for me, but I self-identified as a Conservative. I personally blame my apathetic world view for that notion. I couldn't be bothered with politics, or the plight of those around me. People told me statistics, and I shrugged and said, "yeah, right." So long as the government left me alone, I ignored everything they did.
That changed in the fall of 2010. My economic conditions changed. I went from a well off middle class background to scrounging to just make enough for rent and food. Sometimes, I failed.
As I was going through these experiences, I met and became acquainted with those for whom this isn't a short term problem, but rather the standard state of affairs. It hurt so much when I realized how necessary the programs that I had until quite recently said should be abolished were. It hurt when I heard stories about how the Conservative party, those that I had voted for and helped put in power, enacted policies that forced many who were becoming wheel turners to remain under their boots in poverty and want.
All of this was topped off with a find. A copy of the Communist Manifesto, being sold at a garage sale I was passing. I spent the quarter the man wanted for it, and finished it twice before the day was out. I'd read selections of the text before, but did not understand them. Now, they were as clear as day.
There is a difference between ignorance and innocence, my soon-to-be comrades. Innocence was what I had; I naively dismissed everything, choosing not to be involved in any way. Ignorance is refusing to admit the Truth when it has stood up and smacked you in the face with a bat.
I had someone not too long ago say that I was proof that awareness can work in the world. I feel he was and is mistaken. Awareness alone does nothing; one must rather, as Mahatma Gandhi said, "be the change they desire in the world." I like to think all can see the wisdom of these words. And of course, Marx himself was very much an activist.
Somewhat incoherent ramblings, but such is my introduction, comrades.
As an introduction, I'll give a quick biography. I'm a relatively recent member of the communist ideal. The idea always had elements of attraction for me, but I self-identified as a Conservative. I personally blame my apathetic world view for that notion. I couldn't be bothered with politics, or the plight of those around me. People told me statistics, and I shrugged and said, "yeah, right." So long as the government left me alone, I ignored everything they did.
That changed in the fall of 2010. My economic conditions changed. I went from a well off middle class background to scrounging to just make enough for rent and food. Sometimes, I failed.
As I was going through these experiences, I met and became acquainted with those for whom this isn't a short term problem, but rather the standard state of affairs. It hurt so much when I realized how necessary the programs that I had until quite recently said should be abolished were. It hurt when I heard stories about how the Conservative party, those that I had voted for and helped put in power, enacted policies that forced many who were becoming wheel turners to remain under their boots in poverty and want.
All of this was topped off with a find. A copy of the Communist Manifesto, being sold at a garage sale I was passing. I spent the quarter the man wanted for it, and finished it twice before the day was out. I'd read selections of the text before, but did not understand them. Now, they were as clear as day.
There is a difference between ignorance and innocence, my soon-to-be comrades. Innocence was what I had; I naively dismissed everything, choosing not to be involved in any way. Ignorance is refusing to admit the Truth when it has stood up and smacked you in the face with a bat.
I had someone not too long ago say that I was proof that awareness can work in the world. I feel he was and is mistaken. Awareness alone does nothing; one must rather, as Mahatma Gandhi said, "be the change they desire in the world." I like to think all can see the wisdom of these words. And of course, Marx himself was very much an activist.
Somewhat incoherent ramblings, but such is my introduction, comrades.