stating - "I am a Communist"

[Ali.Cat]

I'm nervous to say "I am a Communist"

I live in Canada, have been raised by fairly Conservative parents (who have always allowed me to express myself however I want), I've always been interested in politics and bla blah blah. It hasn't been until this year that I even began concidering Communism as a possibility though - and it isn't something I would have thought about if it hadn't been for certain people coming into my life. Because of that - right now I'm kind of struggling with "what do I really believe?" I'm very hesitant to say "I'm a COMMUNIST!" because of what people will say about it - I know that's shallow, but I don't feel like I know enough about it to defend my position. However, I'm trying really hard to learn as much as possible - hence why I come here for questions. I was just hoping anyone out there who has struggled with the same thing or has constructive criticisms for the situation could give me a shout - it would be HUGELY appreciated.

Thanks a lot!

[R_P_A_S]

Originally posted by [email protected] 18 2006, 04:00 PM
I'm nervous to say "I am a Communist"

I live in Canada, have been raised by fairly Conservative parents (who have always allowed me to express myself however I want), I've always been interested in politics and bla blah blah. It hasn't been until this year that I even began concidering Communism as a possibility though - and it isn't something I would have thought about if it hadn't been for certain people coming into my life. Because of that - right now I'm kind of struggling with "what do I really believe?" I'm very hesitant to say "I'm a COMMUNIST!" because of what people will say about it - I know that's shallow, but I don't feel like I know enough about it to defend my position. However, I'm trying really hard to learn as much as possible - hence why I come here for questions. I was just hoping anyone out there who has struggled with the same thing or has constructive criticisms for the situation could give me a shout - it would be HUGELY appreciated.

Thanks a lot!
Same here bro! I also don't say that and thats why Im taking it easy right now. just trying to take in as much as possible is a beautiful thing though. learning and all. my friends are noticing a change though.

[Forward Union]

Originally posted by [email protected] 18 2006, 04:00 PM
I'm very hesitant to say "I'm a COMMUNIST!" because of what people will say about it - I know that's shallow, but I don't feel like I know enough about it to defend my position.
That's not shallow, but remember, you are free to admit you beliefs withing having to defend them, you can just ignore you family or tell them to piss off.

[Connolly]

I was just hoping anyone out there who has struggled with the same thing or has constructive criticisms for the situation could give me a shout - it would be HUGELY appreciated.

I cant say iv struggled with my parents or friends with it - they dont really give a shit.

Sometimes however, I can find it difficult to proclaim my views to those id expect to know better than myself on the subject. Lecturers, Teachers, Doctors, those who have a good grasp of philosophy, economics and sociology. It can make me nervous.

I still fear im going through a 'phase' of rebelous youth, something thats difficult to diagnose on myself. If I can tell you - I dont feel im going through such a phase - but I might be.

Generally, it turns out that lecturers and those who I fear might smash my "idealism" - actually are just as vunerable as anyone else. Many I can "outwit" and out debate - infact, I havnt heard a really valid argument against my convictions yet.

My fear is a false fear - those with a Dr. on front of their name dont know jack all themselves - some carry crosses around their neck :o - something which is obviously a sign of complete idiocy - especially from those who should know better.

Dont fear it - let your views be known. They cant be half as bad as your oppositions :lol:

And, instead of calling yourself communist (which everyone sees as soviet union, dictators etc :rolleyes: ) - use something else - Marxist maybe, Anarcho-Syndicalist? Leninist, trotskyist etc etc.

[Zero]

I just call myself a progressive. It works 99% of the time. And when people have enough sense to pick up my true tones they are red, green, or black themselves.

[More Fire for the People]

When my emotional or physical well being is at risk if I use the phrase 'communist' to describe myself, I use the phrase 'anti-capitalist'.

[OneBrickOneVoice]

I'd just say I'm a leftist but that's not satisfying...

[Ali.Cat]

I cant say iv struggled with my parents or friends with it - they dont really give a shit.


Ya - it's not so much my family and friends I'm worried about. Most of them have always seen me as following my own path, the girl to have an opinion is how most of them would put it. So I honestly don't think they'd be too surprised... It's more the "other" people, everyone else in society who I'd really have to defend my views too, not because it's expected of me, but because that is how I've always been.


And, instead of calling yourself communist (which everyone sees as soviet union, dictators etc ) - use something else - Marxist maybe, Anarcho-Syndicalist? Leninist, trotskyist etc etc.


That's a really good suggestion for the time being, until I REALLY decide what it is exactly that I believe.

I also have to ask everyone though, how do people respond to you saying "I'm a communist" or, "I'm a leftist" etc.? I'm really curious about that. I know my own original response when I met my first commie - "hey that's cool, go figure with this guy :P ", but I also don't think my opions are usually the norm. I just want to know what to expect I suppose. Thank-you so much for responding!

[Ander]

Originally posted by [email protected] 18 2006, 01:00 PM
I don't feel like I know enough about it to defend my position.
This is how I feel about expressing my views to older people, such as teachers. So many times during last year did I want to challenge my Economics teacher but I didn't out of fear of not being able to defend myself.

As for my parents and friends, they all pretty much know I'm a Socialist or at least very left leaning. I can have some pretty good conversations with my dad but they are usually just anti-capitalist rants against corporations or religion, not very in depth leftist discussions. My friends are generally apolitical with the exception of: a socialist, an authoritarian socialist, and a social democrat. I've had some minor discussion with all of them, but nothing too significant.

I used to call myself a Democratic Socialist, but recently I've dropped the "democratic" because I'm warming up to the idea of revolution.

[apathy maybe]

You don't need to defend your views. Attack the attacker! Point out the problems of capitalism, ask if they support the fact that children are dying of hunger.

Don't label yourself, just give your views on issues, get involved in actions, you'll soon find people who are also leftists (real leftists wanting to smash the state).

Actually, I wouldn't call my self a communist either, only 'cause I'm not one!

I don't go around saying I'm an anarchist, except when I'm around people who actually know what anarchism is about (or people who are intelligent enough to understand when I explain it). Just get involved in activism and have fun.

[Elsoon]

<BLANK>

[rioters bloc]

i always feel apprehensive about saying i&#39;m an anarchist because the reaction i often get is people assuming that i&#39;m just going through some rebellious, anti-authoritarian phase that has probably been inspired by listening to punk but not actually understanding the lyrics, and that i&#39;m in it for some kinda &#39;hardcore&#39; image.

so i usually don&#39;t refer to myself as an anarchist at all, but say what i am for and against instead. smart ones usually infer that i&#39;m an anarchist from that ;) not-so-smart ones just go.. oh.. so you&#39;re like, radical?

[Mariam]

Don&#39;t label yourself, just give your views on issues, get involved in actions, you&#39;ll soon find people who are also leftists (real leftists wanting to smash the state).


so i usually don&#39;t refer to myself as an anarchist at all, but say what i am for and against instead. smart ones usually infer that i&#39;m an anarchist from that not-so-smart ones just go.. oh.. so you&#39;re like, radical?

Yup, that&#39;s what I usually do.
Don&#39;t put yourself under such terms that you might not be able to explain to others or express youurself correctly when you are asked about.
If who you are talking to is smart enough im sure they&#39;ll understand what you are talking about.
But when it comes to parents I had no problem and they had no problem with whatever I would address myslef with...they know they can&#39;t control me and I have my own path to follow.
Friends...who cares? skip this issue.


This is how I feel about expressing my views to older people, such as teachers. So many times during last year did I want to challenge my Economics teacher but I didn&#39;t out of fear of not being able to defend myself

I had one great Prof. that I once had a chance to talk to him about my political leanings and he was shocked (he had the same ideas when he was younger) and ya I felt great that there&#39;s at least someone in this stupid uni I go to can understand a word of what I&#39;m saying&#33; unfortunatly this was his last course&#33; ;)

[Enragé]

i just say im a communist, and often i add something along the lines of "understand though, the Soviet Union wasnt communist, it was the direct opposite"

and then i wait for the barrage of meaningless socalled "arguments" to float in which are either logical fallacies or simply assumptions based on nothing but prevailing opinion.
99% of the time, they always say the same
"people are greedy, its just in their nature"
"communism kills&#33;&#33;&#33;&#33;&#33;&#33;&#33;&#33;&#33;11&#33;&#33;&#33;1&#33;1&#33;one&#33;&#33;11one&#33;11&#33;1"
or some other stupid thing they heard somewhere

debunking shit like that is easy, it is only rarely that you come across someone who actually approaches a valid argument; but even those are inherently flawed. Just reading stuff here, debating, trains you in recognising these more serious arguments and gives you an idea of how to disprove &#39;em.

as for arguments with teachers, i have some from time to time and even their arguments are baseless assumptions most of the time, and i actually got close into convincing a few. Understand though that most people dont just become communists when you&#39;ve outwitted them in debate, its a hard thing for people to throw aside certain things they have believed all their lives...most rather not, some simply wont

[Ali.Cat]

and then i wait for the barrage of meaningless socalled "arguments" to float in which are either logical fallacies or simply assumptions based on nothing but prevailing opinion.
99% of the time, they always say the same
"people are greedy, its just in their nature"
"communism kills&#33;&#33;&#33;&#33;&#33;&#33;&#33;&#33;&#33;11&#33;&#33;&#33;1&#33;1&#33;one&#33;&#33;11one&#33;11&#33;1"
or some other stupid thing they heard somewhere


That&#39;s really helpful&#33; Thanks :) - It&#39;s just nice knowing what to expect - although I wouldn&#39;t call myself a communist yet - and don&#39;t know that I ever will - still learning. I was just really curious what the reactions out there are.

Thanks guys&#33;

[kaaos_af]

There&#39;s, like, 200 million people alive right now, probably more, who call themselves communists, and millions more in the past. Hundres of thousands have died fighting for socialism (that&#39;s why the banner&#39;s red and/or black, comrades&#33;). Just remember that there are millions behind you and 200 years of socialist tradition backing you up.

Tell &#39;em Albert Einstein was a socialist. For that matter, George Orwell, Charlie Chaplin, Benard Shaw... even Jesus Christ if you&#39;re some sort of Christianoid.

[Janus]

I don&#39;t think that you should worry too much with labels. There&#39;s nothing wrong with being a bit eclectic. If you don&#39;t like the word communist because of the stigma around it then find a new one that would fit you best. But remember that your actions and beliefs are more important than a few labels.

[kurt]

Originally posted by [email protected] 19 2006, 08:10 PM
even Jesus Christ if you&#39;re some sort of Christianoid.
Please do the movement a favour and refrain from spewing that garbage.

[atlas]

Well since you come from a conservative family just make it look like your coming out of the closet; when you say you&#39;re communist, they&#39;ll just be relieved you&#39;re not gay.


...just kidding.


Don&#39;t really come out and say it, but if you ever have any political discussions just view your opinions about society and economics. They&#39;ll get the idea that you&#39;re leftist over time. Just bluntly stating you&#39;re communist has some sort of shock upon first hearing it though. Hearing &#39;communism&#39; just conjures up images of Stalin&#39;s purges and Kim Jung Il. If you do come out and say it, just say you&#39;re &#39;progressive&#39; (somebody mentioned this in another thread).

[Orange Juche]

I freely admit to being Communist.

Actually, about two months ago, in a conversation with some random girl outside of a hippie cafe, I admitted to being Communist and she thought that made me a racist... its disturbing how unintelligent some people in this country are. I&#39;m glad the education system isn&#39;t full of shit and all... </sarcasm>

Its kind of interesting when people get startled by it. It seems a number of them are silenced by it... they find it awkward or something haha.

[Dooga Aetrus Blackrazor]

I freely admit to being a communist. Although if someone directly asks me my political affiliation, I say anarcho-communist. I used to say libertarian socialist, but I don&#39;t like refraining from saying communist because of social stigmas.

I&#39;d rather start a conservation with someone based on being open. If I don&#39;t, they may find out what I believe later and accuse me of being misleading.

[Comrade Don]

See with me, I tell everyone Iam a communist, I wear my Mao shirt with pride.

I look for a fight because they get owned every time, wheter its verbal or physical. We are communists and we cannot be afraid of these ignorant dicks.

[Comrade Don]

See with me, I tell everyone Iam a communist, I wear my Mao shirt with pride.

I look for a fight because they get owned every time, wheter its verbal or physical. We are communists and we cannot be afraid of these ignorant dicks.

[Comrade Don]

See with me, I tell everyone Iam a communist, I wear my Mao shirt with pride.

I look for a fight because they get owned every time, wheter its verbal or physical. We are communists and we cannot be afraid of these ignorant dicks.

[STI]

Actually, about two months ago, in a conversation with some random girl outside of a hippie cafe, I admitted to being Communist and she thought that made me a racist...

Your first mistake was even going near a "hippie cafe".

You lose 10 communist points.

[STI]

Actually, about two months ago, in a conversation with some random girl outside of a hippie cafe, I admitted to being Communist and she thought that made me a racist...

Your first mistake was even going near a "hippie cafe".

You lose 10 communist points.

[STI]

Actually, about two months ago, in a conversation with some random girl outside of a hippie cafe, I admitted to being Communist and she thought that made me a racist...

Your first mistake was even going near a "hippie cafe".

You lose 10 communist points.

[Rollo]

Hippies never were very smart. I once told someone i was a communist and now they call me a nazi. Morons, they are an infestation. Or maybe it&#39;s a cappy thing?

[Rollo]

Hippies never were very smart. I once told someone i was a communist and now they call me a nazi. Morons, they are an infestation. Or maybe it&#39;s a cappy thing?

[Rollo]

Hippies never were very smart. I once told someone i was a communist and now they call me a nazi. Morons, they are an infestation. Or maybe it&#39;s a cappy thing?

[Ander]

Originally posted by [email protected] 22 2006, 04:06 AM
Hippies never were very smart. I once told someone i was a communist and now they call me a nazi. Morons, they are an infestation. Or maybe it&#39;s a cappy thing?
I think it&#39;s a dumbass thing.

[Ander]

Originally posted by [email protected] 22 2006, 04:06 AM
Hippies never were very smart. I once told someone i was a communist and now they call me a nazi. Morons, they are an infestation. Or maybe it&#39;s a cappy thing?
I think it&#39;s a dumbass thing.

[Ander]

Originally posted by [email protected] 22 2006, 04:06 AM
Hippies never were very smart. I once told someone i was a communist and now they call me a nazi. Morons, they are an infestation. Or maybe it&#39;s a cappy thing?
I think it&#39;s a dumbass thing.

[Rollo]

Yeah true, dumbasses tend to be pretty stupid.

[Rollo]

Yeah true, dumbasses tend to be pretty stupid.

[Rollo]

Yeah true, dumbasses tend to be pretty stupid.

[Delta]

I don&#39;t label myself among those that I work with, although from books that I have on my shelf they know that I&#39;m at least fairly left-wing. Not calling myself an anarchist just saves me the trouble of having to go around and debunk a bunch of stupid beliefs that people have spread over the course of time. I do speak out against the current system though.

[Delta]

I don&#39;t label myself among those that I work with, although from books that I have on my shelf they know that I&#39;m at least fairly left-wing. Not calling myself an anarchist just saves me the trouble of having to go around and debunk a bunch of stupid beliefs that people have spread over the course of time. I do speak out against the current system though.

[Delta]

I don&#39;t label myself among those that I work with, although from books that I have on my shelf they know that I&#39;m at least fairly left-wing. Not calling myself an anarchist just saves me the trouble of having to go around and debunk a bunch of stupid beliefs that people have spread over the course of time. I do speak out against the current system though.

[black magick hustla]

man this has nothing to do whatsoever but

i love alicat&#39;s avatar

[Ali.Cat]

man this has nothing to do whatsoever but

i love alicat&#39;s avatar

Thanks :D That Cheshire Cat is one sly creature&#33;

[red&amp;white]

A LION NEVER HAS TO SAY HE IS LION &#33; ITS A FOX OR DOG WHO WILL SAY HE IS A LION &#33; THE SAME WAY U NEED NOT SAY U R A COMMUNIST , ITS UR ACTIONS WHO WILL PROVE U 2 BE A COMMUNIST &#33; LET THE OTHER MAN DECIDE & ASK YOU , "SIR ARE U A COMMUNIST" ?

THEN ITS UR TURN TO SAY .... YES I AM.

[Ander]

Originally posted by red&[email protected] 26 2006, 06:47 AM
A LION NEVER HAS TO SAY HE IS LION &#33; ITS A FOX OR DOG WHO WILL SAY HE IS A LION &#33; THE SAME WAY U NEED NOT SAY U R A COMMUNIST , ITS UR ACTIONS WHO WILL PROVE U 2 BE A COMMUNIST &#33; LET THE OTHER MAN DECIDE & ASK YOU , "SIR ARE U A COMMUNIST" ?

THEN ITS UR TURN TO SAY .... YES I AM.
Thank you Confuscius.

[red&amp;white]

MY PLEASURE...... :D

[YSR]

I think NewKindOfSoldier hit it right away. Notice how anytime you say "I&#39;m a communist/anarchist/radical," the immediate reaction isn&#39;t "Oh, I&#39;m a Democrat/Republican/Whatever," but rather a jump into what is wrong with radical theory? It&#39;s so infutiating. The arrogance bred into bourgeois thought is so clear when that happens that I want to slug the person.

[STI]

Originally posted by red&[email protected] 27 2006, 09:37 AM
MY PLEASURE...... :D
Thank you CAPSLOCKIUS.

[afrikaNOW]

If you do not know enough to defend your position on being a communist, then i think you should refrain from labeling yourself that until you understand what it is.

[Avtomatov]

practice arguing with reactionaries on the internet, then when you are confident do it in real life.

I have to be careful who i choose to argue. Im very smart but i have a bit of obsessive compulsive so sometimes i get stuck in a loop saying words over and over in my head and i cant think.

THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT
Remember argument is just rhetoric. Just cuz someone wins an argument doesnt meen its true. But in north america that is the culture we have. So i dont pick arguments i cant win otherwise people will assume im wrong. The whole purpose of argument is to convince someone isnt it?

[Ali.Cat]

If you do not know enough to defend your position on being a communist, then i think you should refrain from labeling yourself that until you understand what it is.

I disagree somewhat... Just because a person can&#39;t fully defend themselves doesn&#39;t mean they don&#39;t believe what they say they believe. However, I don&#39;t label myself a communist... I&#39;m just open... just learning.

[afrikaNOW]

Originally posted by [email protected] 29 2006, 02:11 AM

If you do not know enough to defend your position on being a communist, then i think you should refrain from labeling yourself that until you understand what it is.

I disagree somewhat... Just because a person can&#39;t fully defend themselves doesn&#39;t mean they don&#39;t believe what they say they believe. However, I don&#39;t label myself a communist... I&#39;m just open... just learning.
If you can&#39;t explain to others what being a communist means./why your one or what communism entails, then you my friend need to rethink why you call yourself a communist.

I dont necessarily agree with young stupid radical(or whatever his name is) if someone especially a Black, says they are Republican, i wont say oh im democrat,etc, such, ill be like what is wrong with you.

[which doctor]

Originally posted by [email protected] 28 2006, 11:47 PM
if someone especially a Black, says they are Republican, i wont say oh im democrat,etc, such, ill be like what is wrong with you.
What does race have to do with someone&#39;s politcal affiliation?

[Delta]

I dont necessarily agree with young stupid radical(or whatever his name is) if someone especially a Black, says they are Republican, i wont say oh im democrat,etc, such, ill be like what is wrong with you

As Kanye West so aptly said, George Bush Doesn&#39;t Care About Black People (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7078580711958833612)

[Raj Radical]

I have never felt more alive then when I reached a stage in my life where I was sick of what everybody told me to think and the way things are, I started studying history and philosophy and religion and in the end, like so many others, came out a communist.



I think most of my friends and family understand where I stand and they really dont give a shit. Most of them are conservative, but I dont hassle them about it and they dont hassle me. Hopefully I will have some influence on them over time I a oppertunity will present itself to talk to them about my convictions.

[Rollo]

I started getting into left wing politics after having my internets disconnected so I had a tonne of books to read and since all of the books were about politics I fell in love with left wing. In all honesty tho, how many mainstream volvo driving cubicle working americans seriously have any idea about politics? I got into a heated argument with one guy once about how iraq was apparently going to invade the USA and make it a territory of the middle east. Some people.