They have seen a meteoric rise in recent years. Their sister/front organisations like ANSWER, Codepink, People’s Forum, BTnews have all become household names. When I look at protests in the U.S., it seems so many of them are organised directly, or indirectly, by them. In comparison, organisations like the CPUSA or the DSA are lacking behind.
How and why?
Short Answer: Marxism-Leninism
Long Answer:
Extreme endurance on the part of the organizers, who began at a time when the US was in even more of a counterrevolutionary period and things would have reasonably seemed hopeless for socialist organizers.
In addition, being mild in manner but radical in material, and instead of being abrasive and ultra-left in ways that alienate people, instead focusing on being approachable while bringing in radical politics.
Finally, the movement for Palestine in the US has been in huge parts brought forward by them and allied groups. By advocating for Palestine for decades in what was originally an unpopular position, being consistent in their support for Palestine for decades meant that they were well equipped to help rise and be risen by the movements for Palestine in the U.S.
Also it should be mentioned that the party’s active practice of Democratic centralism gives them the ability to engage with these things on a national scale. While I have much love for many of the DSA Members I know, the DSA suffers from it’s association with Bernie Sanders and the liberal party who do not reciprocate this support; and it’s a very decentralized organization which means that many branches do not work together or follow national’s lead the same way that PSL branches do.
PSL’s consistency is something I really admire about them. I’m not a full member and probably wouldn’t make it since I’m too lazy and theoretically weird, but I’m seriously impressed with how they remain very steadfast. They don’t mince words. They say China is socialist, America is a racist empire, Israel is committing genocide. It’s refreshing. They don’t stray from that.
The moment that JD asked Z-man if he was sorry, PSL was posting about how the Ukraine war was started by NATO. Even if that’s a tough pill for people to swallow, those holding the correct position will be vindicated in the long run. I’m on the verge of joining PSL (not sure if I will as I’m kinda scared of being black bagged to CECOT) and their principled stances, even when controversial for most, are very admirable.
I will always show up to their events. If any group has a chance at raising class consciousness and mobilizing workers in USA its them
We literally called him a dog of the empire in that post lol
All due respect, for party members, our strength lies in our party membership and unity. There were so many BLM figures killed after Ferguson in 2014, likely by elements of the US Gov’t, but nobody was able to seriously stand up for them at the time. Now, we aren’t touchable by the state, because if any direct party members were to be kidnapped like Mahmoud it’d only strengthen our movement and the entire party would work to defend us. Ironically, the best defense against this fate is being a party member in my mind
Yeah ik, I’m still in the process of joining but late at night sometimes doom and get scared. But I also know that what you say is true.
And, if they are going to be black bagging random idiots like me, I’m already screwed for posting here and for liking/sharing pro Palestine stuff and PSL stuff on Instagram.
Yeah this meant they avoided the stereotypical fate of prior Marxists orgs where there was constant splintering and bickering and they’d end up with orgs that had a few dozen members and all they did was rant about how the group they splintered off of were revisionist class traitors.