How to spread socialism to my school

[Mythbuster]

Hey comrades,

Sorry if I seem to ask a ton of questions.

I go to a school in a very conservative district. We were the only district to vote for McCain/Palin in then last election.

I have some concerns. In my area, the racist are pretty hard. In fact, some say the kkk is still active in Rising Sun, not too far from me.

Every year I see signs for choir that says stuff like:


Don't be communist; sing!

Which obviously makes no sense.

I despise fascism with a strong hatred and was hoping to have tips on spreading the socialist theory and educating people about what socialism really is.

Thanks guys,
David

[Dzerzhinsky's Ghost]

Spray paint "spread your legs if you love the government," on the side of the school.

Seriously, I'm not sure, given the climate in which you describe I would say don't use the word Socialism when discussing issues or politics, try to say everything all but in words or actually putting a label on it. That way, they won't immediately turn off and reject what you're saying when they here the word "Socialism," and so forth. You should be careful and mindful of what you say and how you word things when discussing things with people. Just provide cold hard facts and objective data and try to not let emotions get in the way of thing, be as cold as possible even if the debate or conversation get's heated.

[Caj]

I'm also from a small, conservative town and have had similar problems. Instead of "socialism" you could say you are in favor of "economic democracy" or "workers' self-management." When they ask what that means and you explain it to them they will probably be in favor of it themselves. Once you convince some people of the legitimacy of socialism you may want to consider starting a group or club to further spread awareness and understanding of socialism in your community. If the KKK thing is for real though, I'd be pretty careful about being too open about your socialist beliefs.

[Catmatic Leftist]

Hey comrades,

Sorry if I seem to ask a ton of questions.

I go to a school in a very conservative district. We were the only district to vote for McCain/Palin in then last election.

I have some concerns. In my area, the racist are pretty hard. In fact, some say the kkk is still active in Rising Sun, not too far from me.

Every year I see signs for choir that says stuff like:



Which obviously makes no sense.

I despise fascism with a strong hatred and was hoping to have tips on spreading the socialist theory and educating people about what socialism really is.

Thanks guys,
David

You can start by doing a little "editing" of those silly posters.

:)

[Mythbuster]

You can start by doing a little "editing" of those silly posters.

:)

Lol. Good idea, perhaps I cam say:


don't be a fascist; sing! or take 'em down completely.

[Dzerzhinsky's Ghost]

or take 'em down completely.

You could do that but I think they a) wouldn't get the point or b) would make another copy and put it up or c) just think someone doesn't like the school choir. Taking it down probably would be the less confrontational way to go about things though and the least likely to get you into any sort of trouble or school infraction.

[Mythbuster]

^Good point^ I normally don't have to worry about those signs till March. However, I will talk to my choir director about being a filter on choir posts.

[Sensible Socialist]

I wouldn't launch a socialist campaign in the whole school. Don't start blaring the Soviet anthem from the speakers of the school (although if you actually have the chance, I wouldn't shake my head if you did :thumbup1:). Start small. If you're on Facebook, post some videos or current events or news from a socialist perspective. Include short thoughts on the irony or absurdity of politicians or corporations. You don't need to declare yourself a communist to them. Focus on the issues that affect the area you live. If it's rural, talk about instances in which large agribusinesses harmed small communities. You can do the same for big oil or coal. Anything that will allow the people around you to be exposed to different viewpoints than the usual ones they see and hear.

[Mythbuster]

I wouldn't launch a socialist campaign in the whole school. Don't start blaring the Soviet anthem from the speakers of the school (although if you actually have the chance, I wouldn't shake my head if you did :thumbup1:). Start small. If you're on Facebook, post some videos or current events or news from a socialist perspective. Include short thoughts on the irony or absurdity of politicians or corporations. You don't need to declare yourself a communist to them. Focus on the issues that affect the area you live. If it's rural, talk about instances in which large agribusinesses harmed small communities. You can do the same for big oil or coal. Anything that will allow the people around you to be exposed to different viewpoints than the usual ones they see and hear.

Bolded part not bad. I am on the announcement crew and will probably do song of the day next year. I'll be sure to post some vods and articles on Facebook.

[Manic Impressive]

Join the choir and get them to sing the internationale

[Mythbuster]

^Already tried^ I can't sing very well. I was in my freshman year and won't be in it next year.

[Parvati]

Honestly, I do not agree with a lot of answers you had. If you think that in a particular situation your safety is in danger, then, it's okay not to stupidly boast of being a communist. (what happens once ever, unless you're in a school ruled by three factions of organized neo-nazis, This would be surprising)

But otherwise, it does no good to hide your support for socialism. It's not a popularity contest. Your question was just very good "How to spread socialism in my school".
Not "How to make some new friends that may be progressive on some issues but who dont want to ear the word communism?"

My suggestion would rather start with a little investigating. Don't act the same as Internet works; do not waste your time trying to convince the racist sexist homophobic reactionary bourgeois - they will never agree with revolution/communism. Instead try to find out where are the people who have the most interest in the revolution. In high school, they can be in groups of rights and democracy, or groups against the war or ecological. There are also those who come from poorer families or more proletarian ones. Finally, there will be those who are just victims of racism of which you speak, or sexism, or other forms of oppression.

If you're high school is finally a really bad place in its social composition (and not just the main stream "way of thinking"), is this because there's a lot of drop-outs? Is there a lot of young people working instead of studying? In this case, you should probably get closer to them, out of high school.

Later, targeting those most politically interesting, you can do different relevant things. Call for a "Revolutionnary committee" (I personnally think that the issue of Revolution is more exciting than the "Socialism" one, that can be associated with boring voting patterns.) Make some posters, a pamphlet, a flyer, newsletter, newspaper, depends on what you want to do. Find an important issue in youre high school and bring a socialist point of view to explain it and try to find people interesting in the struggle (indecent prices in cafeteria, too much discipline, racist or discriminatory teachers, difficulty for students to express themselves, outdated and dirty classrooms, the school budget only for executive offices, etc.). It could also be an issue in your city (racism, unemployment especially for young people). Find a friend, or two, or three with this, and then form a committee.

As I'm trying to produce a lot of agit-prop and analysis material on this subject (revolutionnary students and youth), there's a lot I can say, but I think that this is a nice start.

[The Idler]

Ask a national party for help and advice.

[#FF0000]

In my experience trying to "spread socialism" in high school like that is kind of a waste of time.

What you want to do is read things and learn things so you never end up just talking and spouting slogans like an idiot. Next thing you want to do is step back and realize politics isn't everything in life. I mean, it's great to have ideas you feel strongly about, but don't be "that guy" who does nothing but prothelytize and preach. Conversations (that include you listening) are better than sermons anyway when it comes to spreading ideas.

So yeah my advice is to not take things so seriously. Have your ideas but don't be a zealot, and don't bother trying to "spread socialism" in high school.

[RED DAVE]

In my experience trying to "spread socialism" in high school like that is kind of a waste of time.

What you want to do is read things and learn things so you never end up just talking and spouting slogans like an idiot. Next thing you want to do is step back and realize politics isn't everything in life. I mean, it's great to have ideas you feel strongly about, but don't be "that guy" who does nothing but prothelytize and preach. Conversations (that include you listening) are better than sermons anyway when it comes to spreading ideas.

So yeah my advice is to not take things so seriously. Have your ideas but don't be a zealot, and don't bother trying to "spread socialism" in high school.This.

You need, first of all, to educate yourself. There's a ton and a half of literature available online for you here:

http://www.marxists.org/

Start with what are often called the basic pamphlets:

The Communist Manifesto
Socialism, Utopian and Scientific
Value, Price and Profit
Wage, Labor and Capital
Origins of the Family
The Eighteen Brumaire of Louis Napoleon

All of them are available at the above website.

Now, it's important not to get overly crazy about your beliefs, and it's important not to despair. At this time in history, especially in a small town like yours, very few people will be receptive to what you say. On the other hand, you are not alone.

RED DAVE

[thesadmafioso]

Don't expect the most visible results from this, but I would suggest that you try to maintain a strong leftist presence in most any classroom discussions which may emerge in a social studies/history/english course that may be political in nature. You will likely get caught up in an argument wherein you don't stand a chance of impacting your opposition, but if you handle yourself in an articulate and well reasoned enough of a fashion you very well may have an effect on those just listening to the discussion play out.

It's not as dramatic as getting up on a soapbox and making polemic speeches or as plastering your school with propaganda, but it does have an impact. Even if it is just as much as making some students question things they never would of questioned otherwise, you have still made some progress.

[Susurrus]

Why shouldn't people spread socialism in high school? Most people in high school know little about politics, and a socialist explaining what socialism is could go far.

[Nox]

There's no need to spread Socialism to all schools at the same time, we need to build up Socialism in one school :thumbup1:

[thesadmafioso]

There's no need to spread Socialism to all schools at the same time, we need to build up Socialism in one school :thumbup1:

Absolute folly! The only path to communism lies in the permanent internationalist spread of socialism to all schools. Socialism cannot possibly be built in but one school, especially one as backwards as the one described by the TC. It requires support from other more developed schools if it will survive.

[Nox]

Absolute folly! The only path to communism lies in the permanent internationalist spread of socialism to all schools. Socialism cannot possibly be built in but one school, especially one as backwards as the one described by the TC. It requires support from other more developed schools if it will survive.

Better still, we must eliminate all authority in the schools and install a Vanguard Faculty.

[deadsmooth]

While Franklin Roosevelt has a lot of problems, he can be viewed as socialist in many of his policies, see especially the book "Traitor to his Class' by I forget who. Good book though, and he can be useful in opening the door to socialism to others who may feel it is somehow un-American (I wonder where anyone could have gotten an idea like that), using him as a reference.

I would also use ideas found in 'Marxism and Native Americans' by Ward Churchill, but do not mention his name. Find some other discussion point, but he is a good guide. Many people are highly hostile to his work.

[thesadmafioso]

Better still, we must eliminate all authority in the schools and install a Vanguard Faculty.

I concur entirely, the political consciousness of the masses of students should not be a factor to hold back the seizure of power by the student class. A new organ of student rule needs to replace the current status quo of the ruling elite of the faculty class and their implements of political repression.

[Susurrus]

The Vanguard Faculty cannot be allowed to seize power! We must create a system of student soviets using the extracurricular unions for organization!

[#FF0000]

Why shouldn't people spread socialism in high school? Most people in high school know little about politics, and a socialist explaining what socialism is could go far.

no because in my experience, the "high school communist" is preachy and just not very effective at spreading their ideas. Especially if they're falling back on their politics for an identity and play too much command and conquer. that turns out horrible.

[Susurrus]

If you've ever spoken to a High School communist you'd understand.

I am a high school communist...:glare:

[#FF0000]

I am a high school communist...:glare:

Welp, make sure you're capable of talking about something other than politics. It's awesome to see younger people give a shit but it's important to be a well-rounded person. Mostly because thinking about politics all the time will probs drive you crazy.

[Seresan]

Try joining a club or something that is centred around socialistic values. From there you can bring up how it relates to communism, and maybe explain it to some people if they ask. Hopefully you can find people that would sympathise with the cause.

[thesadmafioso]

Try joining a club or something that is centred around socialistic values. From there you can bring up how it relates to communism, and maybe explain it to some people if they ask. Hopefully you can find people that would sympathise with the cause.

I'm not sure how effective entryism would be in this context, given the fact that its a high school. I don't know where you go/went/are going to go to, but my high school was abhorrent so far as the level of political consciousness and understanding went, as I'm sure most are. Given the fact that those sorts of tactics require at least a minimal degree of mutual agreement, I feel like that would certainly be a difficult task.

Then again, it's high school, it's not as if a failure to turn a club red would really be too disastrous. It could be worth looking into given the lack of risk involved and the potential results.

[Susurrus]

I'm not sure how effective entryism would be in this context, given the fact that its a high school. I don't know where you go/went/are going to go to, but my high school was abhorrent so far as the level of political consciousness and understanding went, as I'm sure most are. Given the fact that those sorts of tactics require at least a minimal degree of mutual agreement, I feel like that would certainly be a difficult task.

Then again, it's high school, it's not as if a failure to turn a club red would really be too disastrous. It could be worth looking into given the lack of risk involved and the potential results.

I would think the task wouldn't be to turn the club itself red, but to find people who might be interested in socialism and expose them to it, then elaborate should they inquire further. It would be hard to turn a club red, considering most clubs are required to have a teacher to sponsor it, ie keep an eye on it, and the teacher would most likely try to "keep things on subject." A better strategy would be to start an explicitly socialist club, though that's hard to do in most places.

[Die Rote Fahne]

A couple of ideas would be to create pamphlets and flyers. Perhaps even a newsletter, that focuses on socialist (or you can say leftist) points of view. It can include an introduction to the terms "means of production" and "modes of production", the basis of socialism, etc.

You could include historical analysis on how socialism has never existed (Paris commune aside), what modern day "communist" nations actually are, use American figures like De Leon, as opposed to Lenin and others.

You have to also be cautious of anti-americanism, and using the word communist in a positive light. Even socialist could cause issues. Try using "working class democracy" or something like that.

Apart from that, when given the opportunity to publicly speak, do so. If it's a class presentation, anything, theme it around socialism.

That's all I can really say for now. Perhaps you can find some communist literature to put in the school library? If the school will allow it. Even so, you can just put it in there.

Lastly, create a student union, and function it as a leftist union.

[Susurrus]

Then someone throws a golden apple with the word "Kronstadt" written on it and all hell breaks loose.

[Susurrus]

You have to also be cautious of anti-americanism, and using the word communist in a positive light. Even socialist could cause issues. Try using "working class democracy" or something like that.

I wouldn't say that. Proudly call yourself a communist, then explain what you mean. Better to counter the brainwashing than tip-toe around it. If someone calls you anti-american, say, I love America, that's why I want to fix it. The only thing that might prove problematic is inciting unrest, that will get the faculty crosshairs fixed firmly on you.

[Die Rote Fahne]

I wouldn't say that. Proudly call yourself a communist, then explain what you mean. Better to counter the brainwashing than tip-toe around it. If someone calls you anti-american, say, I love America, that's why I want to fix it. The only thing that might prove problematic is inciting unrest, that will get the faculty crosshairs fixed firmly on you.
The point is to win them over. Educate them. Most will take the attitude "communist? Fuck that shit."

[thesadmafioso]

I would think the task wouldn't be to turn the club itself red, but to find people who might be interested in socialism and expose them to it, then elaborate should they inquire further. It would be hard to turn a club red, considering most clubs are required to have a teacher to sponsor it, ie keep an eye on it, and the teacher would most likely try to "keep things on subject." A better strategy would be to start an explicitly socialist club, though that's hard to do in most places.

Well yeah, it would obviously be exceedingly difficult to actually supersede the ideological leanings of any physical club, that's not really what I meant with that phrase. I was more or less referring to the challenges in inserting substantial leftist ideology in most school clubs.

Also, the student union idea is superb and is definitely something worth considering. Here is a quick description of the powers held by students in the Soviet Union. This excerpt refers to an organization at the university level, but the same concept applies.


The students generally were pleased with the powers they enjoy in the administration of the university. The Student Soviet (council) has almost unlimited powers over student affairs, including the determination of the amount of student stipends. Students sit on the admissions committee, may ask the administration to add or eliminate courses or lectures, and may bring teachers up on charges of poor instruction.

Source: Salisbury, Harrison E. Anatomy of the Soviet Union;. London: Nelson, 1967. Print.

The best element of this approach to organizing at your level is that it isn't necessarily overtly socialist, so you stand a good chance at drawing a great deal of support on the concept of building student influence and on the theme of improving the educational system. From there, you can build off of that idea by explaining the impact of capitalism on the educational system and expand into other political matters. It could serve as a very promising method of improving the level of political consciousness at your school and at the very least it stands to introduce students to previously alien concepts, in a proper and unbiased fashion.

[o well this is ok I guess]

What you want to do is read things and learn things so you never end up just talking and spouting slogans like an idiot. Next thing you want to do is step back and realize politics isn't everything in life. I mean, it's great to have ideas you feel strongly about, but don't be "that guy" who does nothing but prothelytize and preach. Conversations (that include you listening) are better than sermons anyway when it comes to spreading ideas. To preach politics does not necessarily mean to be "that guy". Being "that guy" is mostly from ones approach, rather than content.

For instance, it's much easier to get friends into dumpster diving if you're all drunk and you say "get this guys, I'm gonna get a pizza" rather than stone cold sober saying "are you aware how much waste today's consumer society produces?".