Improving Yourself for the Cause

[joe_the_red]

I would like to pose the question... *************What are good activities that one can do to improve him/herself to better support the cause?*************

I will begin with my thoughts on the matter: I personally feel that we should all work to improve ourselves in every aspect that we can. We should be studying first hand Marxist documents, those by Marx, Engels, Lenin, and other great leaders, and develop our knowledge of their writings. We then need to discuss them in forums such as this, so that we can learn how to apply ourselves. We also need to keep informed about what is going on in the world. Find out from REAL news sources. Additionally, we conversing with others is a great way to develop our speaking abilities, another important aspect. I also think that we need to stay physically fit and healthy. Healthy bodies make for healthy minds. We should eat the right foods and exercise, and I encourage everyone additionally to take defense classes. I do Muay Thai boxing, grappling, and play Rugby. Communists are targets of brainwashed fascist supporters, and therefore we need to be able to physically defend ourselves. All of these things are important, and granted, I fully understand that we all have work and the such, but all of our spare moments should be taken to improve ourselves and learn more about our cause. Additional bits of information, the study of history and military tactics are also valid topics to become familiar with. Languages are also important, because it helps us co-ordinate and work together internationally. Basically, learn everything that you can, everything that can be applied to our cause, there is no shortage of valuable information that will be of use.

I hope that this topic is relevant. Now what would others suggest? What areas are most important, what do all of you do? -Joe

[BIG BROTHER]

I keep myself in shape, and train Judo so I can defend myself. I read Marxs, Lennin, Mao, Trotsky, and anything I can get my hands on.

I also try to shape my attitude to that of what che would have called a "new man" meaning that i try to do stuff for the good of people and not profit(and remember i said i try! i didn't say i was perfect)

there are some writtings left out there, that i think would be helpfull to improve ourselves

[rouchambeau]

I agree with the second half of what you wrote. It is really important to be physically fit as possible and be able to communicate with others. However, I disagree with what you advocate in regards to reading material.

We shouldn't be taking our cues from political leaders from almost a century ago. We should be reading up on the classic thinkers (Marx and crew), but also more contemporary thinkers and revolutionaries (Marcuse, Foucault, Marcos, etc.).

[joe_the_red]

I do not disagree with reading contemporary thinkers. I feel that one has to be careful of revisionists, but not every contemporary thinker is a revisionist. There is a lot of good knowledge out there written by more recent authors, and a lot of it has good application for the present. -Joe

[Renewed Revolution]

Well first, in your signature do not quote Mao and Stalin.

I would suggest preparing yourself by reading up on theory and Leftist political thought by the great thinkers and contemporary thinkers (as rouchambeau said) and immersing yourself in thought.

Top physical fitness is also good, but it is not of the utmost importance.

Attend events and protests about things that pertain to the Leftist cause, you do not always need large groups to protest, even if it is just you and a couple of friends handcuffing yourselves to a monument it will still send a message.

[joe_the_red]

Organising in groups is ideal, if you can.

And I shall not remove my Mao and Stalin quotes, they were great individuals and regardless of what any capitalist-fascist-imperialist propaganda says about them, they still did a lot to support the cause and to develop their peoples. And you know, after Mao was gone, Deng Xiaoping's path has turned the Peoples' Republic of China into a capitalist state. -Joe

"Apologies, but I shall not apologise."

[Renewed Revolution]

And I shall not remove my Mao and Stalin quotes, they were great individuals and regardless of what any capitalist-fascist-imperialist propaganda says about them, they still did a lot to support the cause and to develop their peoples. And you know, after Mao was gone, Deng Xiaoping's path has turned the Peoples' Republic of China into a capitalist state. -Joe

"Apologies, but I shall not apologise."

"Great men, huh? Well, first off, they were not anything close to being Marxists (or Communists, if you prefer that word), because of their statist policies. If I recall correctly Marx called for the abolishment of the state after the transitionary stage, but Stalin and Mao seemed to like being the center of a Cult of Personality. They were hailed as great leaders by their propaganda machines and anyone that slipped off was dumped in a gulag. And you think that Stalin and Mao weren't imperialists? Well, I guess the taking over Eastern Europe and Tibet by military force and not by revolution is not imperialism anymore?

[joe_the_red]

I don't pretend to agree with everything they did or all of their theories, which is why I do not call myself a Maoist or a Stalinist, but you cannot argue that they made a LOT of progress for their people. So, as such, they are worthy of quotation. -Joe

[Destroy capitalism]

Ah comrades let's not quarrel over who's your favourite dead person, this business of defending Trotsky Stalin Mao WHOEVER has kept the left divided and squabbling, personally I don't care what a comrades views on history are so long as we can make common cause about the present and the future. As a self-improvement strategy I would suggest: give up judging each other, holding grudges, falling out over personalities, affiliations. we're all anti-imperialist anti-capitalist anti-exploitation anti-oppression anti-fascist. let's take it from there.our numbers are small, let's end sectarianism on the left.

[Renewed Revolution]

I don't pretend to agree with everything they did or all of their theories, which is why I do not call myself a Maoist or a Stalinist, but you cannot argue that they made a LOT of progress for their people. So, as such, they are worthy of quotation. -Joe

As far as progress, Mao was better than Stalin. All Stalin as far as progress was to make his people poorer and hungrier than they already were under the Tsar, and to create an atmosphere of fear, Mao did the same thing but he actually did make some progress for the Chinese people as far as raising them out of poverty, but of course, he killed millions in the process by the centralized bureaucratic collectivization, which does not work because it makes people statistics, not people that need food.


Ah comrades let's not quarrel over who's your favourite dead person, this business of defending Trotsky Stalin Mao WHOEVER has kept the left divided and squabbling, personally I don't care what a comrades views on history are so long as we can make common cause about the present and the future. As a self-improvement strategy I would suggest: give up judging each other, holding grudges, falling out over personalities, affiliations. we're all anti-imperialist anti-capitalist anti-exploitation anti-oppression anti-fascist. let's take it from there.our numbers are small, let's end sectarianism on the left.

I agree with that somewhat, but the only problem with that is that after the revolution where we are all united we will still be arguing anyway about what we do next, so unless the authoritarians give up on their own self-agendas we will never get anything done, not that Joe the Red is necessarily authoritarian.

[hekmatista]

Exercise in a social milieu, either a sport or a gym where you get to know the people. Talk to someone from outside your own group, whether at work or preferably outside in the neighborhood, about your politics and why you believe what you believe. "Patiently explain..."

[Organic Revolution]

Create community sustainability programs and build your communities for revolution.

[BIG BROTHER]

I would say that bein self critizining, can help improve ourselves.

[Schrödinger's Cat]

Good insight into opposing arguments and socialism is essential. Political activism as well. I would also say that comrades should treat workers with respect whenever possible. Build your life around the movement. If you can, avoid corporate stores that aren't unionized and help out small businesses.

[Renewed Revolution]

If you can, avoid corporate stores that aren't unionized and help out small businesses.

Good idea, I would also encourage workers in corporate stores to unionize by passing out leaflets to them exposing how a union would help them.

[Unicorn]

Get a PhD and have fun during the long march through the institutions. :cool:

[BIG BROTHER]

I would say doing free volunteer work is good too. Even if doesn't make such a big difference, it will get you on the mentality of a true socialist.

[RHIZOMES]

basically everything the OP said. I've been going to the gym for the past month. I'm not in peak physical shape yet, but I have started noticing a difference.


Well first, in your signature do not quote Mao and Stalin.

There are many threads meant for petty sectarian bickering. This is not one of them. Go away.

[the-red-under-the-bed]

ok while keeping fit is obviously important, it does not even rank in terms of thigns for the essential activist.

Ive been heavily involved in activism for over 2 years now, ive been to countless protests even where there is police repression or nazis involved, and i havent had need for any marcial arts yet. closest thing i came infact was i almost came to blows with a candy store owner when we picketed his store. in short, being physically fit and ready to fight, is rarely used skill, especially in the first world (which i presume your from). there is no real chance of an armed insergency in anywhere first world that i know of at the moment.

Most important skills you can have are:
1) practical activist things, how to contact, how to have a good meeting, leaflettting, postering, how to argue a point, involve as many people aas possible, how to be a march marshal, run a picket line, ect

2) knowledge always helps. this means always be reading theory, but youve always always always got to be up to date with current affairs.

[bcbm]

Maybe in your area being in shape is not essential but in some parts of the first world it definitely is, especially in the defense of various autonomous spaces. Which is one thing I would say is important to (ugh) "self improvement:" becoming part of and helping to build and maintain such spaces. I think they are a vital element of growth for any sustainable radical community, and living and working together with comrades makes living in an egalitarian way much easier.

[joe_the_red]

Sectarianism is definitely holding us back. Just to make things clear, I am not an authoritarian. I will simply leave it at that. Continuing, both original and modern/contemporary texts and news are good to study. Staying healthy, physically fit, and knowing how to defend yourself will always be important, even in a "first world" location, because in the United States at least, especially in the conservative areas, you'll have prejudice, misinformed people who react violently to people who are different. And we need to always be ready to act when the opportunity comes. Additionally, a healthy body is a healthy mind, more often than not. -Joe