This one's for the ones who haven't seeked out a party or organization to join. I'm just curious what's stopping you? We're at the tail-end of a global pandemic and a deepening crisis within capitalism, and the sooner you develop the organizational skills necessary to navigate the coming years the better off you'll be to agitate for the working class, for the dispossessed etc.
This post isn't meant as an attack, just thought it'd be good to start a conversation on the matter. Perhaps there are things I haven't contemplated and I'd like to shine a light on my blind spots.
(p.s. shouldn't this comm be called askhexbear? idk)
... I couldn't think of a place name that isn't Alsace and would be less self doxing and funny.... :deeper-sadness:
Please wash your genitals. The duke's child soldiers aren't going to make themselves.
Old org was nuked by undercover feds (we were about to become too based). Was an awful experience, though very educational. I do admit I'm now somewhat cynical of orgs that don't take security very seriously like DSA.
I remember a comrade of mine back at the old trot org we both ended up leaving at once. She kept requesting security measures to be established before we turn up on any significant radars and like the most prominent member in the country said some shit like "If the Okhrana couldn't beat the Bolsheviks I doubt the (National security police) could do anything against us", which is both dumb cause the Okhrana did fuck up revolutionaries a lot but they got lucky in that exile was used as a punishment. Secondly its dumb cause like, theres no reason that a relatively non-active secret police cant decide to crack down all of a sudden and its bad to only start protecting yourself then.
I'm pretty sure that orgs start to get infiltrated as early as 5-15members. It is absolutely the ideal time because it's so early on and so incredibly easy to earn trust in the inner most circles during the early formative stages. Just be incredibly helpful to efforts initially, nuke it later if it becomes a problem, you have complete immunity as an early member.
there's something genuinely funny about a movement that hasn't updated its security practices for a century. like fuckin, Lenin's eyes would pop out of his head if you showed him a Gameboy, never mind tried to explain Facebook.
rip. FRSO?
Is it not wanting to go through the emotional turmoil again or just thinking that the feds 2 strong 2 beat?
not gonna say the specific org. The emotional turmoil did fucking suck and they used some dirty tactics. I don't think the feds are too strong though, it was honestly the orgs' own fault the feds just exploited some shitty decisions by the old decrepit leadership. Looking back with hindsight it was kind of obvious who the fed was, mfer was always taking notes but since he was in leadership and I was new I thought he was just the most organized. Also knew about all the obscure online shit from 200 years ago that leftists argue about, almost like he took a class on it...
But even though this was supposed to be a revolutionary org I never head anyone even mention the threat of feds, so unless an org has some sort of plan for their eventual infiltration and recognizes the threat I just feel like nothing serious will ever happen in that org. We'll just be selling stupid newspapers or knocking on doors for "progressive" democrats all day, which I'm now like half convinced is a literal op lol
Sounds horrible, fascinating, and like a useful story to tell. Sorry that happened to you. If you ever felt like writing it up in a way that protected your info, I'd read it!
It was a good story, though I would have to change some details especially because I know the fucking fed has notes on me. I might write a post in a few days with some lessons to others.
Ahhh well on the one hand, I can see the suspicion if you're fed-aged, on the other I worry that many times "orgs" just end up being social clubs for progressive-minded college kids. Either way: that sucks.
The alternative could be to join events organized by the org, I'm sure even if you're not in it they wouldn't mind you participating, and if they aren't organizing anything well hell: that just means they're dweebs who won't put your membership to use anyway.
I'm really keen to join a DSA chapter, but the penis inspection makes me wary.
C'mon, it's just your dad. Nothing he hasn't seen before.
While this post wasn't meant as an attack, this comment absolutely is. What's stopping you, are you scared? You gonna piss your pants and run crying to your mommy? What are you a chicken? Bawk bawk bawk!
Nothing wrong with taking care of yourself how you need to, comrade.
Chronic illness :c
Also my state is controlled by republicans and they've been passing laws limiting what employees of universities can say and I don't want to get kicked out of grad school or my TA position if I get too fired up.
Unholy cocktail of burnout, depression, interpersonal stuff, doomerism, paranoia, disillusionment with local orgs, oh and there's a fucking pandemic too. It's all tangled. I probably missed a few
Yeah like I'd love to join an org just as soon as I find one I believe can make an actual difference and also find a way to deal with crushing depression and needing the entire weekend to work through feelings of stress and shame about not working hard during the week. I'll join an org when I don't want to die, basically.
That's sort of the trick I'm getting closer to being able to play on myself. It's just hard not to be :doomjak: when you've glimpsed the Cthulhu that is Capital.
Assuming you wouldn't particularly endanger yourself, you could found a chapter by yourself or with one other like-minded soul!
On one hand, this can seem daunting because it's all on you. On the other hand, it's pretty low pressure because you get to set the agenda. Plus then you will have your organizer bonafides and that's always cool.
Also geographically, do not lament: for every JD Vance there are three chuds and a Trillbilly. Find the Trillbilly!
Curious about the physical exhaustion, is it like a health matter?
Wrt to depression and cynicism, I think joining an org actually kinda helps with that. Obviously if you're depressed now you'll be depressed in a party, but at least you'll be depressed in a party without beating yourself up about your inactivity.
When I'm working full-time, I've barely got enough energy to cook food for myself. The days off that I get are generally just spent recuperating and trying to get household chores done. The idea of putting time into going to meetings, or doing volunteer work, seems far off.
I'm not saying it's a great excuse, just that it's my personal experience with my work life, although I'm probably not alone. People with changing schedules and shift work have a hard time doing stuff in their off hours, especially if it's a physical job.
Yea I hear ya, that tracks. I have a hard time organizing the stuff I'm supposed to be organizing and I don't even work a full 40 hours.
You could join a party that offers at-large membership. The lack of orgs in a locality does not have to be permanent!
Organizations oftentimes offer online resources and trainings to at-large members to establish locals, do activism, or participate in state (edit: province, department, or whatever the equivalent is in your country) level or national campaigns. With everything on Zoom it's probably easier now more than ever to get involved in something and hone skills critical to organizing even if it isn't in your immediate community.
No orgs worth speaking of, so I'm on the ground trying to create networks, educate, and meet people's needs.
I did join the DSA though, lol.
cant drive, nothing is nearby
when i can drive :inshallah-script: and move out of this hell, it's top of my list
Zhou? Mao? Che? Castro? All rich bois. There's nothing a communist has to look like.
You're a communist so you're already a good example, comrade.
