Inaugural Address

This blog is the result of a series of discussions on Facebook concerning the rampant sectarianism of the radical left. I hope to encourage a discussion of a united left, what it means, what we have to do as revolutionary leftists, and what strategies we have to secure a pan-Left solidarity in the United States.

For an understanding of the problem, all you have to look at is any post on Facebook by a self-identified Socialist showing solidarity with a Communist or Communist group. The responses aren't in favor of solidarity. The responses question the dedication of the poster to Socialism. This problem is endemic on the Left and prevents us formulating any real, tangible solutions to the problems facing the American people. So the solution I am proposing is a broad, consensus-based, theoretical baseline to operate from, paired with evangelical approaches to anti-Capitalism, and coalition building among the disparate groups of the Left to build popular support for a revolutionary shift away from Capitalism.

To this end, it is my goal to illustrate various theorists on "Theoretical Thursdays" and compare and contrast them to other theorists. My ambition is to break down the arguments of an entire piece (if I can, I will do an entire body of work by a theorist) and pull out what is accepted across the board for the Left and anti-Capitalists in general, while simultaneously highlighting some aspects that may not be accepted across the board but are important to keep in mind or contemplate nonetheless.

"Fresh Fridays" will highlight theoretical contributions of myself and other Leftists I am in contact with or read. This feature will try to pinpoint the entrenched attitudes of many Leftists in theories that have become divorced from their historical/material context that aid in continued sectarianism while bridging the gap to modern theorists which satisfy current historical/material contexts of our present situations. The ultimate goal is to utilize "Fresh Fridays" as a means of illustrating a satisfactory, contemporary approach to dialectical materialism so we can leave historical sectarianism behind where it belongs and build a broad consensus of the now.

Our history as Leftists is important and we should learn about it and understand it. But what is rooted in the Russian Revolution of 1917 should stay rooted in that revolution. We should, however, tease out of Lenin and Trotsky what is universally applicable and retain it while shedding what was contextually unique to their specific experience. What is rooted in the Anarchist struggles of the Spanish Civil War should stay rooted in the Spanish Civil War. But, again, what is universally applicable should be retained. What is not universally applicable should be shed.

And, for basic Marxist theory for those who are new to the whole thing, there will be Marxism Mondays where basic Marxist theory is explored and presented.

I will begin regular posting this upcoming Monday December 30. I will spend the weekend writing up some outlines. Until then, Solidarity is the watchword!