PSL and ANSWER are notorious for co-opting organically created mass struggles; they routinely insert themselves into events related to the fights of oppressed peoples, and make their brand excessively visible so that they can gain in fundraising and recruitment. This is an observation I’ve heard from former PSL members who’ve become disillusioned with the org’s lack of willingness to do anything more than what’s necessary for maintaining its own business model; as has become the default for mainstream leftist orgs in the USA, PSL and its leader Brian Becker seek to organize for its own sake. Which amounts to a practice of opportunism.
I've always leaned towards PSL is a college fraternity in the American left, they have a serious rape culture and racism. So I'm not surprised they only think about money. I've been to their anti-war rallies before and they've been pushing their book (I'm not denying the content of the book, I haven't read it).
Those articles are from at least ten years ago. I don’t know what rallies you went to, but at mine they were denouncing the US and Israel and calling for decolonization, all without plugging their org. Obviously they aren’t perfect, and I’d like to look further into their successes and failures, but I’m not going to take decade old articles or Rainer f-ing Shea as sources for their failures.
Can only speak to personal experience, but PSL and ANSWER are at just about every single protest or action in our city. Or they're helping organize them. And they always do their best to center the communities that are deserving of spotlight in these moments.
And yes, they try to build their own org at the same time. That's the point. It'd be co-opting if they just swept in and took credit, but they actively work with other orgs and help them with mobilization. We need these orgs to continue working with each other and building trust among themselves. Otherwise, how in the hell do we expect an eventual vanguard to emerge out of the currently decentralized movement?
What's impressive too is that they maintain a presence yet aren't some gigantic chapter with hundreds of cadre. Like you said, not above criticism, but they're composed of hard working members that sacrifice a lot.
I've always leaned towards PSL is a college fraternity in the American left, they have a serious rape culture and racism. So I'm not surprised they only think about money. I've been to their anti-war rallies before and they've been pushing their book (I'm not denying the content of the book, I haven't read it).
Those articles are from at least ten years ago. I don’t know what rallies you went to, but at mine they were denouncing the US and Israel and calling for decolonization, all without plugging their org. Obviously they aren’t perfect, and I’d like to look further into their successes and failures, but I’m not going to take decade old articles or Rainer f-ing Shea as sources for their failures.
Can only speak to personal experience, but PSL and ANSWER are at just about every single protest or action in our city. Or they're helping organize them. And they always do their best to center the communities that are deserving of spotlight in these moments.
And yes, they try to build their own org at the same time. That's the point. It'd be co-opting if they just swept in and took credit, but they actively work with other orgs and help them with mobilization. We need these orgs to continue working with each other and building trust among themselves. Otherwise, how in the hell do we expect an eventual vanguard to emerge out of the currently decentralized movement?
What's impressive too is that they maintain a presence yet aren't some gigantic chapter with hundreds of cadre. Like you said, not above criticism, but they're composed of hard working members that sacrifice a lot.