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I have realised in the past months that, like in American, discrimination against communists is high in Britain, and other European nations. As most Communists are viewed, to the uneducated mind, as insane Stalinists who wish to overthrow ever one and take over the world and kill millions of innocent people, it is difficult for some people to get employed if they have a Communist Party membership.
Suggestions, comments?
<span style=\'color:red\'>I don't care if I fall as long as someone else picks up my gun and keeps on shooting.</span> - Che Guevara
<span style=\'color:red\'>Red Clydeside!</span>
um, my suggestion would be to like, just don't include your political affiliation in your resume, or CV...and don't brag about it in the interview.
Incidently, being a member of or affiliating with a communist party disqualifies you from immigrating to the United States and they actually ask about it in interviews...if you want to, i'd suggest lying.
I'm not sure if they ask in the UK or not though.
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Most of the non-communists I know (the ones who know Im a communist anyway, the ones who dont are kinda irrelevant in this discussion ¬_¬) think communism is about dictators and gulgags and such, but dont seem to judge me by it.
Also, I feel the need to point out the difference between Communism and communism. Communism is the support/doctrine of any current/past Communist Party, communism (which I think is what you actually mean) is the basic philosophy that everyone is equal.
EDIT: "Incidently, being a member of or affiliating with a communist party disqualifies you from immigrating to the United States and they actually ask about it in interviews...if you want to, i'd suggest lying." - So... MORE proof that America stopped being democratic years ago.
Formerly Assassin... but my politics are a lot more developed than they were 4 years ago <_<
My suggestion - point out that STALIN WAS NOT A COMMUNIST!
I face this problem a lot too, hell I know what it's like to be on the other end. In schools everyone is taught "Stalin was a communist, look what communism does" so no wonder we're all viewed as genocidal maniacs.
TragicClown: you sure about that American thing? That's crazy! I'm pretty sure they wouldn't ask in the UK - half the Labour party used to be in some form of communist party or another (Secretary of State for Defence - John Reid, spent 2 years in a Communist party).
positive, look up any list of immigration interview questions and something to the effect of "were you ever a member of the communist party" is always included...
...but the actual policy on it is even broader and more sweeping than that. Not only will they reject members of the Communist Party USA or of a ruling foriegn Communist Party, but they also reject anyone who:
-Advocates communism regadless of party affiliation,
-Admits to a belief in the 'doctrine' (their term) of communism
-Recomends to others a belief in the 'doctrine' of communism
-Supporting a communist organization
-Displays or distributes communist literature (technically wouldn't that include librarians?)
-is a member or affiliate or supporter of any organization even affiliated with a Communist party (wouldn't that theoretically include like, the Italian govenrment?)
-is a member, affiliate, or supporter of any predecessor or successor organization of any such association or party (a line designed obviously to include all Communist splits and splinter organizations and the post-cold war successors to eurocommunist parties, but technically it would also include all of the 2nd international parties like British Labour wouldn't it?)
-is a member, affiliate, or supporter of any communist front group (that pretty much covers all anti-war, pro-immigration, and civil rights organizations, as they're all either front groups for some communist party or affiliated to a front group).
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14...f/8cfr312.4.pdf
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oh damn...well, there goes my *dream* of emigrating to the US.
In case you are not American, I will explain Joe McCarthy. He was some crazy alocholic Republican Senator who was communistophobic and thought all communists were Stalin. He had the Rosenburg's executed for being communist, basically he was Adolf Hitler wrapped in an American flag, and that is all you need to know.
although, in fairness, the Communist Party of the United States supported Stalin's administration, Stalin was in power during the McCarthy hearings, and Communists did act largely as agents of the Soviet Union in the United States at the time, and there were many soviet spies among them (and good for them).
The imperialist and socialist blocs were in a cold war and rather than disloyally accepting imperialist propaganda, Communists at the time did what they could to protect the socialist world against imperialist aggression.
The Rosenburgs certaintly were "Stalinists", by any definition of the term, and Julius if not Ethel Rosenburg was certaintly a Soviet spy.
To the extent that he/they were successful they should be seen as heros to the left and humanity in general for helping the Soviet Union develop nuclear weapons thereby perminantly preventing the US imperialists from ever using nuclear bombs again.
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My suggestion would be to defend Communism, outline the good things about it, speak of its achievements and its legacy, explain the logic behind it and why you have such beliefs. There is no need to hide what you stand for, what you believe in.
Anyway, that's just what i'd do.
“I hereby accuse the North American empire of being the biggest menace to our planet.” Hugo Chavez Frias
The USA also restricts immigration to anarchists (que the Leninists in 5 4 3...). It came into place after an 'anarchist' shot a president (we need more of that).
A country that started out as a place were persecuted minorities could flee to, became what it is today.
When I am put in this situation, if they bring up the crimes of stalin or other "communist" leaders, I tell them how in my opinion they were not communists and I don't associate myself with any of their idol worship, authoritative bullshit. And then I explain how much more superior communism is than capitalism, as it is good for every person, and not just a hand full. Also I point out the millions who have died as a result to capitalism in the world, and all the problems it brings.
I have actually got people more interested this way and got them to say "wow I don't think im a capitalist anymore..." haha it is almost like telling a little kid santa isn't real. It perks their curiosity and leads them to find out more.
Economic Left/Right: -9.38
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -8.00
If i may critique your myopic view of historia americana. Sen. McCarthy was an idealogue, however he acted on real fears of a Soviet perversion of America. There were in the 50's Soviet spies in almost every aspect of American society, from hollywood, the media, professors, union leaders etc. McCarthy's actions were however tantamount to a modern day witch hunt which didnt do much but smear the name and ruin the lives of non-communists, anyone who he felt was "anti-american".
I would fight against any Stalinist invasion back then or now. Stalinism is tyranny.
McCarthy had little to do with the Rosenbergs, who were tried and convicted of passing nuclear secrets to Soviet agents. History would soon reveal that while there was some evidence of Julius spying for the Russians, Ethel was almost completley innocent. Either way their actions did not warrant a death penalty in my opinion.
They are not heros in any sense. The Soviets had deonated an atomic bomb long before the actions of the Rosenbergs. And the Soviets ability to do so has in no way prevented the use of the "bomb" by the US or any nation for that matter. The Soviet Union collapsed and America still has the weapons, and they can use them whenever they want. Any person that actively enables nuclear proliferation is not a hero but a criminal.
<span style=\'color:red\'>Any power must be the enemy of mankind which enslaves the individual by terror and force, whether it arises under a Fascist or Communist flag. All that is valuable in human society depends upon the opportunity for development accorded to the individual.
- Albert Einstein </span>
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Lenin was one of the greatest enemies of Socialism...
Noam Chomsky</span>
That's usually too much for their tiny little minds to comprehend. I have this coversation with my dad and he invaribly says "I've seen it". When I say it was put into practice wrong, he says " they had eighty years", then concludes with "Do you know the only person who killed more people in the 20th Century than Hitler?", then, like most northern men (don't get offended, I'm from Goole!, he cannot accept any kind of counter-argument!
Vive le Birkenhead
Vive le Revolution
Lawton, that is what most of us have to put up with.
Just yesterday, I went to a bookshop near my house and I asked for books on Marx and Lenin and the book seller looked at me as if I had 3 heads. Than, I added that I wanted to make an essay on Europe after the WWI and just before the WWII.
I think that made her relax a little.
It is a pity that in a "democratic" world we can't express what we feel...
<span style=\'color:red\'>Revolution is the only solution!!</span>
<span style=\'colorurple\'>Gender: Female</span>
I've found the most effective way to combat anti-communist sentiment is to spread the word one person at a time. I talk to my friends, family and work mates about my views and I've even managed to open some people up to different ideas. If they disagree or are reactionary twats try not to get angry, after all, it's not their fault if they're ignorant wankas :P
Apart from that, if you're creative try and spread some 'Commie' propaganda. It's gonna take some time to reverse the negative connotations attached to the word 'communism' but we'll get there.
<span style=\'color:red\'>“Where liberty is, there is my country"
-Benjamin Franklin</span>
<span style=\'color:red\'>"Democracy consists of choosing your dictators, after they've told you what you think it is you want to hear." - Alan Coren</span>
<span style=\'color:red\'>Muster your creative forces and fight the propaganda war! - L.</span>
Commie propaganda?
Got any suggestions as to what exactly?
i suggest this
any and all leaders who claim to be communist, are not, for communism has no leaders. All countries who claim or have claimed to be communist, were not. They were a perversion of marxism and as counterrevolutionary as a nazi.
tell them that, and you'll be fine
I dont know why but the whole anti-commie thing seems to be wayyy less over here in the netherlands, at least were i live.
When we discussed the russian revolution it was more like "the intentions in the beginning were good, it just turned out fucked" and during the discussion about Mao's china i had ample time to explain how this all was not communism, and the teacher actually supported me in this. In fact, my teacher even is anti-capitalist himself, but he just doesnt think that communism is the answer ("lets think of something new" whatever the fuck that might mean)
ο λαός θα πεί την τελευταία λέξη - αυτές οι νύχτες είναι του αλέξη!
Freedom without equality is privilege - Equality without freedom is a barracks
'Engels, my brother from another class,
we haz got to get fucked up on the grog, and then revolt...if the lessons of the Paris Commune has taught as such, the working class cannot lay hold of the ready made bourgeoisie alcohol, they must smash it, and get pissed on cheap methylated spirits.
holler,
marxy.'
- BCBM=AndreasBaader
