Black Sheep
11th July 2011, 16:30
Okay i'm writing this due to this (http://www.revleft.com/vb/please-ban-me-t157819/index.html)thread, and because it's a super common case to young revolutionary leftists (commies and anarchists).
I'll try to cover most passions that often come up,that friends have told me, stuff i had to go through/still going through.
Also not sure if this belongs here or in MA&DIY.Anyway.
I'm a young commie and...
i)"My level of knowledge isn't good enough"
"(All)Other comrades seem to be experts"
-Noone's level of knowledge is high at something they're newbies at - so don't expect yours to be, and don't feel bad about it.You're not the communist superman.
The best way to improve it is to read a book or two, discuss with your comrades,try to absorb as much knowledge as you can.Learn to listen, ask as many questions as your conversation partner is willing to answer, critically question everything (not in a stupid way though). Verify what you're being told.
If there aren't any comrades in your area, well, internet and Revleft.com.
The expert comrades are great source of knowledge and material.Ask them ruthlessly,be the devil's advocate and learn from them.Don't worship them,but if they worth it,make them a role model for healthy competition.
Always critically receive what they tell you.Their shining communist overlod status may cloud your judgement.Veterans that arise to an implied leadership position in a supposedly leaderless organization is a very common scenario.
ii)"I lose all debates/conversations with cappies/other tendencies"
See (i).
-It's ok to lose debates and you will,many of them.Oh,yeah, you will be crushed like a soviet cockroach.
Even in the ones you lose though, you can still learn something and discover gaps and misconeptions in your understanding and knowledge of theory.
If smashing the capitalist zeitgeist was so easy, it would have been destroyed years ago.Remember,you're dealing with mindsets engineered to fit the current ethics and "allowed" political philosophies.It takes time and effort to take them apart, and they have a tendency of respawning.
So don't despair.Just advance your knowledge and carry on.
iii)"How can i debate better?"
See (i).
Be vigilant not to fall into traps and logical fallacies - either in your argumentation or missing the ones your opponent makes.Remember that capitalists rely on logical fallacies, loopholes, vaguely defined concepts and sentimental bullshit.Use iron fist logic but be calm, straightforward and direct.
If your opponent refers to something you aren't familiar with, say so, hear him/her out and check it later.It's dishonest and hypocritical to try to defend something you don't know much about,or know you don't understand well, just because it's supposed to be a part of your tendency (if you're a member of an old school platformist / democratic centralist organization , prepare for some hard times).Remember that your side isn't de facto correct.If you go down this path, then god save your critical thinking abilities...
It's ok to not know stuff , even if your asshole opponent thinks it's inexcusable(if so,ask him a question about the current political sustem / capitalist theory/economics/historical events and destroy his/her ass).
"Veterans theory masters",either communists or capitalists will try to appeal to their "brilliance" or status to justify claims (i.e. "i was in may 68","i've read the entire capital","i'm 80 years old", etc).Mostly they're full of shit, so approach the conversation as critically as any other.In my experience, extremely knowledgable people were hard to notice, meaning you didn't notice it until they gave an awesome response to your question :)
When discussing with an OIer, try your best to make him/her make one point at a time.Most conversations end out of frustration of trying to reply to 100 points,each of which require 2 minutes of arguing.Also note to him/her that a point has been made if he/she agrees with sth, and try to build on that.Most OIers tend to forget it, and repeat the debunked claim a few seconds after it's been debunked.
Also,don't be a dick,don't try to stick politics where it doesn't directly relate to, according of course to how well you know the person you're discussing with (i.e. "damn we have to wait X hours for the bus" -"WELL YEAH? IN SOVIET RUSSIA THEY HAD BUSES EVERY Y MINUTES HURR").
Keep in mind always that 'stereotypical asshole annoying communist' and try to steer clear of becoming that character.
If you find yourself at times not remembering stuff to respond to an OI question/ challenge, well,shit happens.It has happened to me countless times.As you become more experienced the answers will pop into your head automatically (because the questions are fairly common)
Also,don't forget that browsing revleft and discussion with comrades helps refresh your memory.
iv) "I like the idea of communism, but i'm not working class / i am relatively wealthy.
So? Kropotkin was a freaking prince, marx and engels were far from workers! You don't have to be a worker or impoverished to support the idea of emancipation of the oppressed, your human sense of solidarity to your fellow man,hostility to injustice can be enough.(note that you shouldn't expect the full trust of a revolutionary organization in that case and try to get in their shoes)
As long as you fon't own a buisiness and employ several workers,you're ok.
v)I am embarassed / afraid to defend communism
Understandable - communism is portrayed either as a monstrous authoritarian tyranny, a childish utopia, or as a lunatic "earth-lies-on-top-of-a-turtle" theory.
I myself as a teen when newspapers were brought up in a discussion i used to tell jokes like "Well, i buy "rizospastis" (the newspaper of the communist party of greece)!" and everyone laughed.
The fact is, that no matter how they resort to ridicule your person, make straw mans, or other techniques to escape arguing, if you've done your homework right, you'll be able to destroy every little assertion cappies make - and that shows.Counter their pathetic excuses with hard evidence and facts and refuse to drop to their level.
If you live in a country like the US,where anti-communist hysteria is sky high, you can draw parallels with other countries where leftist presence is stronger.Meaning the world doesn't end beyond your country's borders.
vi)I've been alienated by friends/family due to my political beliefs.
That sucks.Fix your priorities, no good comes from being a communist and disowned/homeless/friendless.If your politics get in the way of such important stuff in your life, slow down a bit.
If social and economic penalties are so severe that threaten your well-being,then keep communism to yourself,but keep studying and express yourself at a later and safer time.
vii)There are no comrades in my area.
Keep educating yourself.Internet is great.Situations change, and you may even move.
You can initiate a group with friends to engage in political action and/or activism.It doesn't need to apply 100% to your beliefs : action and discussion can bring about radicalization.
viii)I'm scared to speak in a political debate / discussion (like student assembly in college) out of fear of losing
I'm scared to engage in activism with my comrades out of fear of ridicule
See (i),(ii),(v)
Who doesn't?Thing is, postponing such activities for later dates when "your grasp of theory will be better" may go on forever.An observed phenomenon is that speaking in front of lots of people will in time eradicate your fear of doing so,which leads to either being a moron who spews out bullshit to crowds, or a fearless speaker who speaks his/her mind.Make sure you don't end up in the 1st case though.
As far as activism is concenrned, take courage from your comrades, and feel free to discuss your issues with them - they're bound to have useful advice and personal experiences that may be helpful.
Isolating yourself with your thoughts will only make you end up a couch revolutionary, and an 'internet communist'.Few levels are lower than this.(I know what i'm talking about, i am dangerously approaching that slimey pitfall)
ix)I don't know which tendency to side myself with
It's tough.In the beginning,you wont be able to determine which is right and which isn't, just as a person uneducated in physics, can't pick out the bullshit parts in "Quantum healing" books and miscellaneous new age woowoo.
The #1 mistake most people do (myself included) is saying "Well i'll firstly read 1,000,000 books to get a spherical view on all, and decide" : you"ll never accomplish that.If you have a basic understanding of core principles, go join an organization and in the meantime keep studying.Remember (i) about veterans and keep your head straight.Continue studying theory (not only your organization's theory: that's very important!), participate in rallies,propaganda and activism.Practice will refine theory and vice versa.
If the time comes when your views contradict the ones in your organization, discuss the matter with your comrades and if you want leave.
After some time, you"ll be able to laugh at organizations you once thought worthy, just from a line in their political program.
Since sectarianism is rampant in the revolutionary (and not only) left, bullshit and slander from one organization to another is an everyday fact, so the best bet is sadly your personal opinion.Study theory, political programs, strategies of each one, and observe their actions.
But: don't be a sectarian asshole.I said don't.Try to be objective, don't idolize your tendency/organization and be ready to accept its flaws without belittling them and maximizing the others' mistakes.
I can't think of anything else,so that's it for now :)
I'll try to cover most passions that often come up,that friends have told me, stuff i had to go through/still going through.
Also not sure if this belongs here or in MA&DIY.Anyway.
I'm a young commie and...
i)"My level of knowledge isn't good enough"
"(All)Other comrades seem to be experts"
-Noone's level of knowledge is high at something they're newbies at - so don't expect yours to be, and don't feel bad about it.You're not the communist superman.
The best way to improve it is to read a book or two, discuss with your comrades,try to absorb as much knowledge as you can.Learn to listen, ask as many questions as your conversation partner is willing to answer, critically question everything (not in a stupid way though). Verify what you're being told.
If there aren't any comrades in your area, well, internet and Revleft.com.
The expert comrades are great source of knowledge and material.Ask them ruthlessly,be the devil's advocate and learn from them.Don't worship them,but if they worth it,make them a role model for healthy competition.
Always critically receive what they tell you.Their shining communist overlod status may cloud your judgement.Veterans that arise to an implied leadership position in a supposedly leaderless organization is a very common scenario.
ii)"I lose all debates/conversations with cappies/other tendencies"
See (i).
-It's ok to lose debates and you will,many of them.Oh,yeah, you will be crushed like a soviet cockroach.
Even in the ones you lose though, you can still learn something and discover gaps and misconeptions in your understanding and knowledge of theory.
If smashing the capitalist zeitgeist was so easy, it would have been destroyed years ago.Remember,you're dealing with mindsets engineered to fit the current ethics and "allowed" political philosophies.It takes time and effort to take them apart, and they have a tendency of respawning.
So don't despair.Just advance your knowledge and carry on.
iii)"How can i debate better?"
See (i).
Be vigilant not to fall into traps and logical fallacies - either in your argumentation or missing the ones your opponent makes.Remember that capitalists rely on logical fallacies, loopholes, vaguely defined concepts and sentimental bullshit.Use iron fist logic but be calm, straightforward and direct.
If your opponent refers to something you aren't familiar with, say so, hear him/her out and check it later.It's dishonest and hypocritical to try to defend something you don't know much about,or know you don't understand well, just because it's supposed to be a part of your tendency (if you're a member of an old school platformist / democratic centralist organization , prepare for some hard times).Remember that your side isn't de facto correct.If you go down this path, then god save your critical thinking abilities...
It's ok to not know stuff , even if your asshole opponent thinks it's inexcusable(if so,ask him a question about the current political sustem / capitalist theory/economics/historical events and destroy his/her ass).
"Veterans theory masters",either communists or capitalists will try to appeal to their "brilliance" or status to justify claims (i.e. "i was in may 68","i've read the entire capital","i'm 80 years old", etc).Mostly they're full of shit, so approach the conversation as critically as any other.In my experience, extremely knowledgable people were hard to notice, meaning you didn't notice it until they gave an awesome response to your question :)
When discussing with an OIer, try your best to make him/her make one point at a time.Most conversations end out of frustration of trying to reply to 100 points,each of which require 2 minutes of arguing.Also note to him/her that a point has been made if he/she agrees with sth, and try to build on that.Most OIers tend to forget it, and repeat the debunked claim a few seconds after it's been debunked.
Also,don't be a dick,don't try to stick politics where it doesn't directly relate to, according of course to how well you know the person you're discussing with (i.e. "damn we have to wait X hours for the bus" -"WELL YEAH? IN SOVIET RUSSIA THEY HAD BUSES EVERY Y MINUTES HURR").
Keep in mind always that 'stereotypical asshole annoying communist' and try to steer clear of becoming that character.
If you find yourself at times not remembering stuff to respond to an OI question/ challenge, well,shit happens.It has happened to me countless times.As you become more experienced the answers will pop into your head automatically (because the questions are fairly common)
Also,don't forget that browsing revleft and discussion with comrades helps refresh your memory.
iv) "I like the idea of communism, but i'm not working class / i am relatively wealthy.
So? Kropotkin was a freaking prince, marx and engels were far from workers! You don't have to be a worker or impoverished to support the idea of emancipation of the oppressed, your human sense of solidarity to your fellow man,hostility to injustice can be enough.(note that you shouldn't expect the full trust of a revolutionary organization in that case and try to get in their shoes)
As long as you fon't own a buisiness and employ several workers,you're ok.
v)I am embarassed / afraid to defend communism
Understandable - communism is portrayed either as a monstrous authoritarian tyranny, a childish utopia, or as a lunatic "earth-lies-on-top-of-a-turtle" theory.
I myself as a teen when newspapers were brought up in a discussion i used to tell jokes like "Well, i buy "rizospastis" (the newspaper of the communist party of greece)!" and everyone laughed.
The fact is, that no matter how they resort to ridicule your person, make straw mans, or other techniques to escape arguing, if you've done your homework right, you'll be able to destroy every little assertion cappies make - and that shows.Counter their pathetic excuses with hard evidence and facts and refuse to drop to their level.
If you live in a country like the US,where anti-communist hysteria is sky high, you can draw parallels with other countries where leftist presence is stronger.Meaning the world doesn't end beyond your country's borders.
vi)I've been alienated by friends/family due to my political beliefs.
That sucks.Fix your priorities, no good comes from being a communist and disowned/homeless/friendless.If your politics get in the way of such important stuff in your life, slow down a bit.
If social and economic penalties are so severe that threaten your well-being,then keep communism to yourself,but keep studying and express yourself at a later and safer time.
vii)There are no comrades in my area.
Keep educating yourself.Internet is great.Situations change, and you may even move.
You can initiate a group with friends to engage in political action and/or activism.It doesn't need to apply 100% to your beliefs : action and discussion can bring about radicalization.
viii)I'm scared to speak in a political debate / discussion (like student assembly in college) out of fear of losing
I'm scared to engage in activism with my comrades out of fear of ridicule
See (i),(ii),(v)
Who doesn't?Thing is, postponing such activities for later dates when "your grasp of theory will be better" may go on forever.An observed phenomenon is that speaking in front of lots of people will in time eradicate your fear of doing so,which leads to either being a moron who spews out bullshit to crowds, or a fearless speaker who speaks his/her mind.Make sure you don't end up in the 1st case though.
As far as activism is concenrned, take courage from your comrades, and feel free to discuss your issues with them - they're bound to have useful advice and personal experiences that may be helpful.
Isolating yourself with your thoughts will only make you end up a couch revolutionary, and an 'internet communist'.Few levels are lower than this.(I know what i'm talking about, i am dangerously approaching that slimey pitfall)
ix)I don't know which tendency to side myself with
It's tough.In the beginning,you wont be able to determine which is right and which isn't, just as a person uneducated in physics, can't pick out the bullshit parts in "Quantum healing" books and miscellaneous new age woowoo.
The #1 mistake most people do (myself included) is saying "Well i'll firstly read 1,000,000 books to get a spherical view on all, and decide" : you"ll never accomplish that.If you have a basic understanding of core principles, go join an organization and in the meantime keep studying.Remember (i) about veterans and keep your head straight.Continue studying theory (not only your organization's theory: that's very important!), participate in rallies,propaganda and activism.Practice will refine theory and vice versa.
If the time comes when your views contradict the ones in your organization, discuss the matter with your comrades and if you want leave.
After some time, you"ll be able to laugh at organizations you once thought worthy, just from a line in their political program.
Since sectarianism is rampant in the revolutionary (and not only) left, bullshit and slander from one organization to another is an everyday fact, so the best bet is sadly your personal opinion.Study theory, political programs, strategies of each one, and observe their actions.
But: don't be a sectarian asshole.I said don't.Try to be objective, don't idolize your tendency/organization and be ready to accept its flaws without belittling them and maximizing the others' mistakes.
I can't think of anything else,so that's it for now :)