Marxist-Leninist-Maoist group with emphasis on the theories of their Chairman, Bob Avakian, particularly his "new synthesis."
Many claim it is cult-like, due to the emphasis on Avakian himself.
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To all communists... What do you think of the Revolutionary Communist Party,USA
I recently noticed literature posted by members of the Revolutionary Communist Party USA in my area. I checked out the website and found that they meet not far from me. There seems to be not much more than a newspaper and books distributed by the chairman bob avakian and a few others.
Do any of you know much more about this org and pro/cons of involvement.
Marxist-Leninist-Maoist group with emphasis on the theories of their Chairman, Bob Avakian, particularly his "new synthesis."
Many claim it is cult-like, due to the emphasis on Avakian himself.
"Social Democracy ... contented itself with assigning the working-class the role of the savior of future generations. It thereby severed the sinews of its greatest power. Through this schooling the class forgot its hate as much as its spirit of sacrifice. For both nourish themselves on the picture of enslaved forebears, not on the ideal of the emancipated heirs." -Walter Benjamin
610 Marxists
Doesn't have a great reputation on this forum. I would check out the meetings and see if it is up your alley. They run cool book stores but I was not all that impressed with the meeting that I went to.
Last edited by ellipsis; 30th November 2009 at 04:53.
RCP meeting:
Membeber #1: Bob Avakian.
Member #2: Bob Avakian.
Member #3: Bob Avakian?
Member #2: Robert Avakian!
Member #1: Mmm-hmm, Avakian.
#4: Bob, Bob A-VAY-KEE-YAN!
In unison: Bob Avakian! YAAAAY!
Rational non-RCP cult member: Wait, how come you guys have this weird personality cult around Bob Avakian? He's alright, but we should probably do some union organizing or something. Could we at least do a trite protest?
(Awkward, eerie pause)
#2: Reactionary!
#'s1&3: REACTIONARY!
In unison: REACTIONARY!
(#4 stabs non-cult member in face)
The RCP are kind of like the Manson family... without the stabbings and LSD.
Discuss.
I believe that what Bob Avakian has concentrated into a body of works represents the most in-depth and correct understanding of the nature of the capitalist system and what needs to be done to eliminate it. It's far above and beyond anything else....but...there are some serious problems that have led to the party not building a base that I don't believe are totally wrapped up in how they frame the leadership, but can't positively identify. I have my suspicions. Definitely go to the meetings and bring your toughest questions.
>>I recently noticed literature posted by members of the Revolutionary Communist Party USA in my area. I checked out the website and found that they meet not far from me.<<
Where was this literature posted in your area? Is there someplace where radical parties 'post' things? If so, and if any other parties post there as well, I recommend you notice their literature before the RCP's.
>>I believe that what Bob Avakian has concentrated into a body of works represents the most in-depth and correct understanding of the nature of the capitalist system and what needs to be done to eliminate it. It's far above and beyond anything else<< (post # 1)
Just as I suspected.
I'm from a different political tradition and I disagree with many of their political positions but I would suggest reading some of their information online and if you totally agree, go to a meeting or order some of their lit. If you have questions about what they are saying or want to know what counter-arguments other groups or political traditions have, as other people or bring up your questions here.
You will probably get better answers if you have specific political questions about their politics rather than what people here think of any political group as a whole.
I've heard that they eat the body and blood of Chairman Avakian at all meetings to be one in being with the Chairman.
The basic ideas of Marxism, upon which alone a revolutionary party can be constructed, are continuous in their application and have been for a hundred years. The ideas of Marxism, which create revolutionary parties, are stronger than the parties they create, and never fail to survive their downfall. They never fail to find representatives in the old organizations to lead the work of reconstruction. These are the continuators of the tradition, the defenders of the orthodox doctrine. The task of the uncorrupted revolutionists, obliged by circumstances to start the work of organizational reconstruction, has never been to proclaim a new revelation – there has been no lack of such Messiahs, and they have all been lost in the shuffle – but to reinstate the old program and bring it up to date.
- James P. Cannon, 'The Degeneration of the Communist Party'
watch?v=OxG98hNSDQI
I dont know if they have anything to do with that guy,but if they do,AVOID THEM!
I believe than especially in countries like USA where there ain none much moving,people should get together,but this guy has the political IQ of a five year old!!!Even a retard like Beck makes him look stupid.
That's Sam Webb, chairman of CPUSA. He's not a communist. At best, he's a left-wing social democrat. He has nothing to do with the RCP, though.
"Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that's no matter--tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms further.... And one fine morning----
So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past."
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Political Compass
Economic Left/Right: -8.82
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -9.88
I see.Which of both parties has the bigger impact and social influence?
To the OP: Whatever be the current state of the RCP, atleast you can become familiar with some basic Maoist methods of organization and agitation by joining it. Don't hesitate to ask questions and debate. There are other Maoist groups also that criticize the shortcomings of the RCP, and you can always join one of these later if you are not satisfied with the RCP's line.
I would suggest that people check out the documents of the Revolutionary Communist Party, USA, the newspaper Revolution (www.revcom.us), and the works of Bob Avakian to familiarize themselves with the RCP,USA and its political line.
Some key documents:
* "Communism: The Beginning of a New Stage, a Manifesto from the Revolutionary Communist Party, USA" -- this document plays a similar role to the original Communist Manifesto, putting forward the new synthesis of Bob Avakian and the new conception of revolution and communism upheld by the party.
* "The Constitution of the Revolutionary Communist Party, USA" -- goes without saying. The appendix "Communism as a science" is very polemical as well. This gives more of an idea of the RCP,USA's conception of what being a revolutionary communist party is (and what living up to what all three of those words means)
I would also point people to Bob Avakian's talk "Revolution: Why It's Necessary, Why It's Possible, What It's All About" online at www.revolutiontalk.net to watch the entire speech, and go to http://www.revcom.us/avakian/index.html for a fuller listing of his written works and talks.
In regard to the RCP,USA's position on Bob Avakian and how they (as well as others in the revolutionary communist movement) view him:
An Open Letter to the Revolutionary Communists and Everyone Seriously Thinking About Revolution: On the Role and Importance of Bob Avakian
If they meet near you, you can always go there and see what's what. Probably better than asking for advice on Revleft.
What's the matter Lagerboy, afraid you might taste something?
They talk like this in real life too
Siento que llegó nuestra hora, esta es nuestra revolución
Somos una luz cegadora, fuerte, mas brillante que el sol
Porque siento que este es el momento
De olvidar lo que nos separó y pensar en lo que nos une!
-Amaral
Kasama Project
Formerly Culture of a Peachy Nation
CPUSA?!?! AHHHHHHHHHH
*runs away*
no seriously: avoid them. anything BUT revolutionary. turning into "social democrats" *bleh*
just a suggestion: if you want to join something, i recommend IWW, SLP, or something like that, but NOT CPUSA or SPUSA
[FONT=Arial]"We are going to inherit the earth . There is not the slightest doubt about that. The bourgeoisie may blast and burn its own world before it finally leaves the stage of history. We Are not afraid of ruins. We who ploughed the prairies and built the cities can build again, only better next time. We carry a new world, here in our hearts. That world is growing this minute." [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]----Durruti[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial][/FONT]
I was a member of the Revolutionary Communist Youth Brigade from 2002-2008. I don't regret my time with the RCP/RCYB at all, and I really came of age politically there... but I am glad I got out when I did, because the cult has really gotten out of hand and they really push their cadre and supporters to promote the cult to the point of personal burn-out.
I'm kinda an independent renegade Maoist right now, although I identify with the Kasama Project a good bit and believe that the 9 Letters is the best criticism of the RCP's currently decrepit line. You can read the Kasama Project vs. RCP polemic here:
9 Letters to Our Comrades
RCP Response to the 9 Letters
The RCP's Response: The Inventing of a Strawman (response to RCP's Response)
http://mikeely.wordpress.com/2008/04...ind-the-curve/
Their bookstores are still wonderful though.
Last edited by Andrei Kuznetsov; 1st December 2009 at 01:30. Reason: wanted to put link up to the 9 Letters and also show the RCP's side of the story
"Our greatest revenge will be the laughter of our children."
-Vol. Bobby Sands
"Immature strategy is the cause of grief"
-Miyamoto Musashi, 1584-1645
Freedom Road Socialist Organization
Fight Back! News
Kasama Project
South Asia Revolution
How big is RCP membership?
Yeah I always got the impression they had quite a large membership, I know they've got a lot of people in Chicago and NYC, and they have bookshops all over the United States, Atlanta, Seattle, Boston, even Hawaii. I also heard you are not allowed to drink or smoke or something if you're a member. What's up with that?
They even have members here.
I met some American member at the Historical Materialism thing at SOAS and saw another American member at Marxism 2009.
