here is the synopsis

A former Marine and a public school teacher in two different states find themselves broke and unable to sustain their livelihoods through their jobs. Activated by the energy of the 2016 Sanders presidential campaign and the murmurs of a state-wide teacher strike, both turn to socialism, a once-fringe ideology, to tackle problems larger than themselves.

THE BIG SCARY “S” WORD delves into the rich history of the American socialist movement and journeys with the people striving to build a socialist future today.

With inequality growing, a climate catastrophe looming, and right-wing extremism ascending around the world, many Americans are wondering whether capitalism is to blame.

But what is the alternative? Socialism is plagued by conflicting definitions. Is it dictatorship or democracy? Norway or Venezuela? Reform or revolution?

This film explores where American socialism has been, why it was suppressed, and imagines what a renewed American socialism might look like.

the site

the tweet

hot take

bernie and the squad were a bad thing for the US left

  • pppp1000 [he/him]
    ·
    3 years ago

    Nordic socialism or socialism with american characteristics doesn't exist and shouldn't be talked about. What's not socialism cannot be shoehorned into being called a socialism. When that thing fails all the westerners will again resort to saying "Look socialism failed. It never works."

    My biggest gripe with Bernie and the Squad or any "progressives" is their usage of phrases like "corporate socialism". It's not socialism. Bailing out big business isn't any way related to socialism. If you continue to perpetuate that talking point then an average person is going to get a wrong idea. As for those arguing that an average person wouldn't know better, teaching them the wrong thing isn't how you should remove western anti communist propaganda. Also, Putting up white socdem nations(is it even socdem) as socialist countries while bashing any remotely non white country like Venezuela , China or Vietnam as authoritarian country only serves the anti communist agenda and results in radlibs like V*ushites.

    • sun [they/them]
      ·
      3 years ago

      What do you mean by saying socialism with American characteristics doesn’t exist? I thought it was generally accepted that socialist states had to accommodate national characteristics. Where has there been socialism where that hasn’t been the case?