Hello everyone, I decided to type up this small rant because I was feeling slightly anxious about having to help develop an organized Marxist-Leninist movement in America.
The issue I am having is that based on what I have read, I am not sure if any major party that claims communism or Marxism-Leninism actually can lead the proletariat to establish socialism; this leads to the conclusion that either someone else has to develop a Marxist-Leninist party or I would have to develop one (the latter is an even scarier proposition for me).
Why am I anxious? I feel as if I have very little to do with my life outside of helping communists (I have no jobs lined up at the moment and my mental illnesses do not help), yet my theoretical understanding is too weak at the moment to really organize anything, so I am left in a tough spot with no idea on what I want to do.
Honestly, I am currently just focused on trying to figure out what to do in life, where to go, who to talk to, etc. I think this mini-rant is also an expression of my lack of direction in life.
Context: I live in America, so I feel like I am isolated from any form of Marxist organization and Marxists in general.
Edit: I also do not have a consistent income I can use to pay the dues of party membership, and I do not know when I will be able to get a job.
Edit 2: I am thinking of joining a Marxist-Leninist caucus in DSA or PSL where I will be. Thanks for all the advice, comrades.
what is the worst that could happen if you join an org?
My worry is that I am not sure which organization to join, since the possible options that exist are either placid (CPUSA and DSA), have had their top leadership reportedly covering up sexual assault allegations (FRSO and PSL), or are just trash (ACP).
FRSO and PSL are good. Every effective organization will have such allegations and worse made against them. You should see how they work in real life and approach them in good faith before you assume that what you’ve heard about the most principled communist organizations is true in the most anti-communist country in the world.
I did read from Red Clarion (a Marxist-Leninist newspaper from the Unity-Struggle-Unity press) about the controversies regarding FRSO and PSL, but I still need to do more research into them to determine what group is the best for me. I wonder if they have a presence where I am…
this may 1st is looking to be a huge organizing event, with large coalitions that will certainly include whatever local communist groups that are worth joining, so if you can find one of those that may be a good place to start. and if you’d like help finding the closest PSL branch, feel free to dm me.
I live in Florida for now, but I am planning on moving over to Georgia because of personal reasons. Could you tell me about PSL branches in both states in DMs?
DSA is very decentralized. There are solid branches in some areas, so it really depends what’s closest available to you. PSL is also really solid. I won’t know the details of how an org works before you join. That kind of information is not public. And if you don’t like it you can just leave. It’s not like you are giving your life to it.
There seems to be a Marxist-Leninist caucus in DSA (so they say), which is probably of interest to me. I will also consider PSL. I just need to figure out the monthly dues situation…