https://socialistaction.org/2017/11/21/educational-conferences-reflect-growing-interest-in-socialist-ideas/
Educational conferences reflect growing interest in socialist ideas
/ 2 days ago
Nov. 2017 Conn. conf.
Taliba Obuya of the Malcolm X Grassroots Network speaks to the “Solution
is Socialism” conference in Connecticut on the Black struggle for
self-determination.
Connecticut: ‘Solution is Socialism’
By KEITH LESLIE
— NEW BRITAIN, Conn. — On Nov. 4, Socialist Action Connecticut and the
Central Connecticut State University Youth for Socialist Action held
their second annual conference, entitled “The Solution is Socialism.”
More than 100 workers, students, and activists from as far away as
Alabama turned out for a day packed with talks, workshops, and
educationals from 21 speakers.
Taliba Obuya from the Malcolm X Grassroots Network brought the
revolutionary history of the Black nationalist movement and the fight
for self-determination among Black Americans to the forefront. Michael
Roberts, a leading Marxist economist from Britain, explained key
elements of the crises of world capitalism.
Socialist Action member Daniel Adam gave a stirring speech on the
prospects for socialism and the potential of a socialist future. A set
of workshops organized and led by the YSA covered the struggle for a
united Caribbean against imperialism, LGBTQ+ liberation, lessons of the
Russian Revolution, immigration and Islamophobia, and feminism and
fossil capitalism.
Left Voice’s Juan Ferre and Socialist Action’s John Leslie covered the
task of building a class-struggle left wing in the labor movement.
Puerto Rican activist Mikael Rosa raised the topic of the colonial
oppression of Puerto Rico in light of its devastation by Hurricanes Irma
and Maria as well as the disaster capitalist offensive in their wake.
Christine Marie of Socialist Action and Tatiana Cozzarelli of Left Voice
exposed the central role of gendered oppression under capitalism and the
need for a feminist voice in the revolutionary left.
The YSA also made significant contributions, not only helping to
organize and advertise the conference, but also constructing the
workshop sessions and providing four speakers, including CCSU YSA leader
Shelby Williams, who delivered opening remarks and spoke in a workshop
on building Caribbean resistance to imperialism.
The conference revealed some of the potential of socialist politics in
the current climate. Capitalism’s status quo is failing billions of
people in extremely apparent ways. The failures of the Democratic Party
and disillusionment with the Bernie Sanders campaign, which served
mainly as a vehicle to try to lead discontented people back into the
party, have opened a space for the genuinely socialist left to share our
perspectives. This opening has been recognized even by right wingers—who
felt the need to tear down posters advertising the conference at CCSU
and elsewhere in an effort to suppress news of it.
The conference drew in many new faces, particularly young people.
Socialist Action was able to build new relationships with workers,
students, and activists, many of whom are enthusiastic to learn more
about socialism and to join the struggle.
Capitalism’s crises are clear to anyone who bothers to look. Scientists
warn, for example, that capitalism is quickly pushing toward shattering
crucial thresholds on global warming and other environmental catastrophes.
The release of the “Paradise Papers” has exposed massive corruption
among the ultra-rich members of the capitalist class. The assault on
Puerto Rico has shown the class interests of the austerity offensive
against working people.
The revelations of Donna Brazile in her new book “Hacks,” concerning the
inner workings of the Democratic Party, have confirmed once more its
role as a bourgeois party owned and operated by capitalist elites and
the need for workers to break from it.
These constitute only the tip of the iceberg; new outrages are arising
on a daily basis. It is necessary, however, to construct and broadcast a
socialist vision for society, and shatter the lie that there is no
alternative to capitalism. As the anniversary of Russia’s October
Revolution turns 100, it is imperative that we ensure that its memory
and legacy do not fade away. As the Nov. 4 conference emphasized: the
solution is socialism!
Minneapolis: ‘Socialists in Action’
MINNEAPOLIS—Twin Cities Socialist Action, together with the Philosophy
Department at Minneapolis Community and Technical College (MCTC), hosted
a conference entitled: “Socialists in Action: Taking Theory to the
Streets,” on Nov. 3 and 4 on the MCTC campus.
Over 80 people were in attendance for at least some portion of the
conference—many for the entire two-day event. A majority of those in
attendance were students—well over 60%—most of whom were being exposed
to socialist ideas in real depth for the first time.
The conference opened with a keynote address by Socialist Action’s
National Secretary, Jeff Mackler, speaking on “The Relevance of the
Russian Revolution Today”—in this, its 100th anniversary year.
All day on Saturday, Nov. 4, we explored the core concepts of
Revolutionary Socialism. Michael Livingston explained: “What is
Socialism Really?” to people who might only have heard of socialism
through the Bernie Sanders campaign. Bruce Lesnick gave an “Introduction
to Marxist Economic Theory.” Carl Sack spoke on “Eco-Socialism: How
Marxists Confront the Climate Crisis,” while Karen Schraufnagel, branch
organizer for the Twin Cities branch, addressed: “Marxism and Women’s
Oppression” in her talk.
Rob Wallace spoke on: “How Capitalist Agriculture Misuses Science,” in a
lecture that transfixed the audience and led to a Q&A session running
well into the time for the closing panel, as the deeply engaged crowd
asked question after question.
The day ended with a shortened closing panel: “Socialists in Action,”
featuring Jeff, Carl, and Karen, together with Adam Ritscher. When it
was over, several students asked to join Socialist Action immediately,
with another 10 or more expressing interest in learning more and
potentially joining in the near future.
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November 21, 2017 in Connecticut, Marxist Politics and Philosophy,
Marxist Theory & History, Minneapolis.
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