Spreading leftist views - Reaching out to people

[Karl Marx's Camel]

What is some of the most effective ways to spread leftist views, and reach out to people?

Are there some normal people who just won't turn leftist, no matter how hard you try? What can make them change?

If words cannot make them change, could seeing exploitation first hand change their hearts?

Any ideas?

[Zingu]

I was thinking about that.


Maybe trying to show the "human face" of the left wing.


This, I think could be done by "popularizing" leftist figures like Che Guevera, Ceaser Chavez and other left wing individuals that have a good reputation. Tell people what they believed in and what they were fighting for.

[Paradox]

This, I think could be done by "popularizing" leftist figures like Che Guevera, Ceaser Chavez and other left wing individuals that have a good reputation.

Kind of already been done, don't you think? All the Che shirts, hats, keychains, posters, etc., etc.. Though the effectiveness of "popularizing" Che is subject to debate, seeing that many people just wear Che shirts because they think it's "cool." They don't know what he stood for, or that he was Communist. Not everyone who wears a Che shirt is ignorant like that, though. Popularize Chavez? Hmm... I don't know about non-Chicano communities, but he's pretty well recognized among Chicanos. The UFW website has UFW pins, tote bags, and things like that, but I don't remember seeing anything focused only on Chavez, but rather promoting the union itself. Anyways, I think it would take more than just "popularizing" leftist individuals. I think Karl had some good ideas on this. He said get people to first see the hypocrisy of the system and the damage it causes, then introduce them to Socialist/Communist ideas. Also, you might want wait for NovelGentry's book to come out. ;)

[Karl Marx's Camel]

Is he writing a book?!

Information please? :o

[Paradox]

NovelGentry? Yes, he is. But I think you're gonna have to download it. And he said it probably will be ready by April, so you're gonna have to wait. There's a thread about it in the Literature forum. ;)

[Paradox]

Here's the link to the thread about NovelGentry's book (Hope you don't mind, Gent ;) ):

http://www.revolutionaryleft.com/index.php?showtopic=32248

[Encrypted Soldier]

Popularizing Che by the means of imperialistic sweat shops is blasphamous (in the Communistic sense of course)!!! I have only heard of Chavez once, when I was in maybe third or fourth grade.

Although I agree that popularizing good Leftist figures is necessary, we shouldn't do it by the means of imperialist, that is hypocracy!!! We should tell people about them, tell them their great deeds, and then try to get the people to become Democratic Socialists... And then Socialists... and then Communists/Anarchists. Just gradually getting them to become one of us.

[Zingu]

Well, I was useing Che Guevera as an example!

There are plenty more leftist figures out there that can be used as a example.

Even if you just told who Che was, that could start getting some people thinking.

[flyby]

I agree with a great deal of what is said here.

Without repeating myself, i started a thread in "practice" forum that listed some essays I've been reading. thread is here. (http://www.revolutionaryleft.com/index.php?showtopic=32561)

It deals with analysis of how to do penetrating and powerful communist agitation -- that really touches people deeply.

Also I agree that we need to put forward our leaders -- so that people understand in many ways what they are about, what they concentrate.

I have been working hard to connet people up with Bob Avakian that way. I appreciate that others are doing it with Che or Caesar Chavez. But my issues with them is not just or mainly that they are dead, but the line and methods they concentrate is not what I think we need.

In other words, how we promote individual people needs to start with the question "who best concentrates where we are going and what we are about?"

i urge all of you to check out a LIVING (and very alive) revolutionary leader here: Bob Avakian Speaks (http://bobavakian.net)

Frankly, i think his method of explaining things, breaking them down, agitating -- is a powerful "school of method." Both extremely radical revolutionary, and at the same time accessible, reasonable and understandable. I listen and relisten.

And also some interesting essays about his relationship with the Panthers, the Berkely free speech movement.

The Making of a Revolutionary (http://rwor.org/chair_e.htm#making)

I am in the middle of reading Avakian's Memoirs which aren't online yet. http://rwor.org/a/1263/avakian-memoir-ad.htm]From (http://([url) Ike to Mao: My Journey From Mainstream America to Revolutionary Communist[/url]

[Paradox]

For some reason when I saw the name "flyby," I got the feeling I'd be reading a post about "Chairman Bob." :P It's all good though.

[RedLenin]

If you want to talk to people about leftism, do just that, talk to them. Sit down and debate with them. Tell them what is wrong with this system and then give them a breif overview of communism (don't actually say communism or they will stop listening). They will probably ask you a lot of questions so be prepared. I think just talking is the best way to build our numbers and one of the most important direct actions you can take.

[redstar2000]

Originally posted by [email protected] 30 2005, 11:44 AM
What are some of the most effective ways to spread leftist views, and reach out to people?

Are there some normal people who just won't turn leftist, no matter how hard you try? What can make them change?

If words cannot make them change, could seeing exploitation first hand change their hearts?

Any ideas?
Leftist views are spread just like any other views...though we lack the resources to utilize some of the ways that are available to our class enemies.

Our strength (such as it is!) is having better ideas and being willing to speak the truth.

Even when the truth is very unpopular...and even dangerous.

For example, a distinction must be made between ideas that are simply "leftist" and ideas that are revolutionary.

The former may be unfashionable yet moderately acceptable, depending on the circumstances.

The latter are daggers pointed at the very heart of the capitalist system and its beneficiaries...they are always unacceptable and frequently subject to outright persecution.

So you see what we -- or some of us -- are up against.

"Personalizing" ideas is probably not a good idea...especially if the person is still alive. When people "identify" with a person rather than make the effort to understand the person's ideas, they get mentally lazy. It becomes "easier" just to accept whatever the "person" says rather than try to think the matter through oneself.

Thus the habit of some, even on this board, to respond to every controversy with a quote from or a link to some past or present revolutionary.

Once in a while, someone will quote from or link to something that I wrote...and I'm naturally flattered by that. :P

But what really impresses me is when someone posts in a controversy and, without mentioning me at all, says the same things that I would have said...demonstrating an understanding of my outlook instead of just an imitation.

Finally, it must be noted that some folks are "good talkers" and others are "good writers". Figure out what you do best and concentrate on that.

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