There are too many self-proclaimed "Marxist-Leninist" who have zero understanding of german idealism, and as a result the Marxism that naturally comes after.
"Hegel is so complicated and too hard for me to read so I will avoid it. " I can't believe there are people who have the audacity to call themselves Marxists and refuse to engage with its fundamental building blocks.
Reading theory is important. Reading your continental philosphers is incredibly valuable. Demanding people have an entire history of the past 150 years of the academy lodged in their head before they can be taken seriously is reductive and alienating.
No Marxism before you've defended your understanding of Russell and Whitehead before the OP!
I mean as a communist you pretty much have to otherwise anyone who isn't sympathetic will just laugh at you