#Socialists

[unaffiliatedpangolin]

Almost immediately after the workers’ revolution in the USSR, the Soviet government created the largest system of slavery in the modern world using the people they claimed to be saving from czarism and capitalism.

Just something to think about when you hear people supporting socialism today.

[mysharona1987]

[americanmarketplace]

[newyorkthegoldenage]

May 1 is International Workers' Day in more than 80 countries. In the U.S. in the 1920s and 1930s, socialist and Communist groups celebrated it, too. Here, women march in a column with upraised fists in a parade on May 1, 1935.

Photo: Murray Becker for the Associated Press

[typhlonectes]

[decolonize-the-left]

Anyway, I really like the work The Last Poet is doing on tt to help the strike that Bisan called for. If you missed the post about it here's the gist:

TLP a person on tt who relies on mutual aid to survive. As such, when Bisan called for a strike they had the knowledge of how to organize mutual aid. They used that skillset to help employed ppl who wanted to strike but did not have unions/money to do it. She got some of her other friends who had also built trust on the app to help and they worked together to support these ppl.

And what they did was organize fundraising for 30+ people and as of 2 hours ago, they're only $800 away from their 19k goal

I would like to do something similar next time a credible strike is called for.

I will need help keeping things organized as I'm not that kind of ND so I'm also inviting others to help me or to do this yourselves if you are more capable.

Further this is Tumblr and not tt so it's gonna be a little different.

How it works (generally):

Figure out who wants to help coordinate, who can communicate with a lot of people, to write/explain posts, to track goals on a spreadsheet, rational decision making, etc. Then figure out your collective reach and abilities (like how many people you can all raise money for) and apply them where they fit best. These are your Organizers.

The aid: funds for people who can't afford to strike.

People in need of aid will make their own posts that the Social Media Team then boosts.

As you might be concerned, boosting everyone might inhibit anyone from meeting their goal. So focusing on a select few would is best to help ppl meet their goals. Then we can move on to the next person/batch of people. Organizers need to determine who the Social Media Team should focus on first (fcfs is usually fair) and make sure it's communicated clearly who those specific people are.

The Social Media Team team can be anyone with a social media acct but large blogs should definitely be sought out to participate here. The goal of the Social Media Team is to reach Supporters, people who will donate and/or boost further. Absolutely share and boost on other platforms. As TLP explains: there is no shortage of people who are willing to part with their wealth for a good cause, we just gotta find them

Constant communication between people getting aid and organizers is key so that goals are being properly reported and updated on posts.

The way TLP has it set up: large donations go to organizers who then split the money evenly between the people being boosted. Smaller amounts can be directly donated. Any amount donated needs to be reported to organizers so that it can be tracked properly. When the goal is met, they move to the next person until everyone is helped.

When everyone is helped you can all decide to help more people (if you are able/still have spoons to repeat the process) or you can rest up before it's time to do it again.

And before y'all tell me I can't:

Yes the fuck I can actually, so jot that down.

Who is with me? If we start organizing now and growing our little Tumblr pods then the next strike that comes around it'll be more effective cuz more people will be able to participate. More effective is the goal, right?

Spread this post too. I am not (and don't want to be) the only person doing this. If you're able, please start up something similar within your own circle. We will reach more people and be able to help more people if more people are organizing this kind of work.

If you ALREADY make mut aid posts or share don*tion posts, this is the same thing. Just a bigger, more organized scale. It's really not that scary. And just cuz I'm posting this on Tumblr, that doesn't mean you can't create your own effort on Twitter or insta or whatever. Everyone should be doing this everywhere if you ask me.

Also we could practice this by coordinating with people who currently have mut-aid posts up. Just saying ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ we could learn how to be more effective while helping each other at the same time.

So if you wanna be involved or get involved then reblog this. Share it somewhere else. Make your own post about it. Just share it. Consider this the first post that needs to be boosted are you part of the team or not?

Also I feel like we'd find each other way easier if we used a specific hashtag for this decentralized global strike fundraising so leave some suggestions in the replies ⬇️

[reasonandempathy]

What is the most illogical and dangerous idea in politics?

Fascism.

I’m sure fascists might take issue with that, but almost every definition of fascism recognizes that it in inherently contradictory, which is covered up for by a sense of aggrievement and the emotional investment of fascists to allow them to ignore the cognitive dissonance.

A lot of its core tenets can be explained by an incredibly hierarchical, selfish worldview (guns for me, gun control for thee; free medical care for me, death camp for you), but the Strong-Weak Enemy is inherently contradictory, with the easy example being the Nazi idea of Hebrew People.

They are inherently a lesser race who is weak, petty, and Objectively Worse And Dumber Than Us, but they’ve also managed to craftily and sneakily take control of the entire globe and have the entire world playing to their tune.

Quoting Umberto Eco, “the disciples of Fascism must feel humiliated by the enemy’s wealth and power, but feel nonetheless that they can defeat the enemy. The enemy is both too strong and too weak.”

You can see a similar dynamic play out in a number of fascist regimes or fascist politicians. Benito Mussolini put socialists as a whole into this territory, as explained by Marla Stone. Socialists actually made a common target for this sentiment, since they are typically the edge of acceptable politics that are opposed to the core tenets of fascism; it delegitimizes socialist politics while also reliably building fascist support.

[eretzyisrael]

Source (with follow-up tweets)

[dontmean2bepoliticalbut]

[lizardbytheriver]

"Be kind to people, be ruthless to systems." - Michael Brooks

[rednblacksalamander]

Yeah, that's right, vote-shaming season starts early this year.

[canadianabroadvery]

Despite speculation, she announced that she would not seek the leadership of the Socialist Party 

[dontmeantobepoliticalbut]

Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) issued what he described as a “formal travel advisory for socialists visiting Florida,” on Tuesday, warning that the state was “openly hostile” to socialists and their enablers.

“The state of Florida devalues and marginalizes the contributions of, and the challenges faced by Socialists and others who work in the Biden Administration,” Scott, who is also the state’s former Governor, said in a press release.

“Let me be clear – any attempts to spread the oppression and poverty that Socialism always brings will be rebuffed by the people of Florida,” he added. “Travelers should be aware that attempts to spread Socialism in north Florida will fail and be met with laughter and mockery.”

Scott’s statement is a mocking response to recent travel issued by social justice groups declaring Florida an unsafe state for certain minority groups.

Over the weekend, the NAACP issuing a travel advisory warning that Florida has become “hostile to Black Americans” under Gov. Ron DeSantis. The League of United Latin American Citizens (a civil rights organization) and Equality Florida (an LGBTQ rights group) also issued travel warnings in recent weeks.

Scott, who has often served as a political foil to President Biden, used similar language found in the NAACP’s advisory, seeming to mock the dangers outlined by the civil right’s group by drawing parallels to Biden.

He said the counteractive travel advisory came “in direct response to the Biden Administration attempts to erase capitalism and the system that has brought prosperity to Florida and the entire United States.”

[palatinewolfsblog]

"First they came for the Communists

and I did not speak out

because I was not a Communist.

Then they came for the Socialists

and I did not speak out

because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists

and I did not speak out

because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews

and I did not speak out

because I was not a Jew.

When they came for me

there was no one left

to speak out for me."

Martin Niemöller,

German pastor, theologian, central figure in the resistance against Hitler and peace activist.

If we heard Niemöller today, I bet he would speak for the Palestinians.

[decolonize-the-left]

I think a lot of people wanna help and simply don't know where to start so here's a how to.

Alright this How To is targeted towards youth and particularly school protests, but 18+ protests follow the same general outline. A good piece, especially if you find yourself in rural territory without activists/organizers to plan anything for you.

Protests are a good way to raise awareness and demonstrate support for an issue. They can also help people feel they are part of a bigger movement and inspire them to action. The goal of protesting isn’t just to yell and hold up signs, it’s to inspire change and influence your community. However, protests can be controversial, so you should think about the pros and cons in your particular situation.

Types of Protests

When people think of protesting, they often picture a large march, but there’s lots of different ways to get your point across.

Sit-ins involve peacefully occupying a public space by sitting for a designated period of time and are popular in schools and colleges.

Sit-ins for student rights have taken place outside the offices of college presidents and in high school courtyards. A sit-in demanding academic freedom could entail students sitting in on a class they’re not allowed to take, sitting outside a principal’s office, or occupying a school board meeting.

Silent protests can be done as part of refusing to participate in a required activity. You can organize your protest on a specific day and include symbols of solidarity such as wearing a specific color. In 2010, 2,086 students at West High in Madison, Wisconsin gathered for a silent sit-in to protest a change in their curriculum.

Walkouts are often used in schools and colleges where a group simply leaves at a designated time in an effort to express disapproval. They can often lead into a rally or march. They also can occur spontaneously, in response to some event.

Walkouts have a long history in the fight for student rights, including Barbara Johns who organized a walkout to protest poor school facilities and segregated schools in the 1950s and Mexican-American students that protested unfair treatments and corporal punishment in the 60s.

Protest rallies involve people making speeches about an issue. You can invite someone to act as an emcee to lead protest chants and songs and other community members who support your issue. Rallies are often used at the beginning or end of protest marches, but can be used by themselves. Rallies should be creative to bring attention to your cause. In 2014, dozens of students from the Providence Student Union in Providence, RI dressed up as zombies for a rally against standardized testing.

Picketing and protest marches are similar except a picket stays in one place, like in front of a business, and marches go from one location to another. In most places, you will have to remain on the sidewalk or other public areas unless you’ve obtained a permit from your local government.

Boycotts are refusals to buy a product or participate in an activity. Boycotts can happen alongside a protest and are good to use as a last resort- just the threat of a boycott may be enough to make your opposition back down.

Planning Your Protest

Use your protest as part of a larger campaign. Depending on what your issue is, you should make sure that you’ve also used other methods to create change. If you are protesting a law or policy, let the people responsible know your complaint and give them a chance to respond. And since not everyone will be comfortable with protesting, make sure you are being inclusive by encouraging other ways for people to show their support, such as:

making phone calls

writing letters

organizing a boycott.

Holding a protest where not enough people show up might not help your campaign as much as other tactics, so you should make sure you have enough people to participate.

Decide on a time and place. Protests can happen anywhere, but you should arrange your protest where it will be seen by as many people as possible. Some options include:

the sidewalk in front of a business

government offices

your school

a park

If you’re protesting on private property without permission, the owner can ask you to leave and call the police to remove you if you don’t.

You should also pick a time when you can get the most people to attend the protest (like a weekend), unless you want to specifically target someone (such as a legislator) and pick a time when they’ll be around. Obtain a permit, if needed.

Publicize your protest.

Make brightly-colored flyers and posters about the protest and put them up around town and your school

Hand out pamphlets

Publicize in your school newspaper and on social media

Make a press release and send it to local newspapers, to websites and blogs, and to other organizations that may support your message

Call local newspapers and radio stations and ask them to promote the protest.

Be prepared to talk about your issue in case you are asked for an interview. Even if people don’t come, they may be curious and research it.

Make a visual impact

Make brightly colored posters and banners with catchy slogans and bring some extra. Have pamphlets to help spread your message information on what you’re protesting to interested parties. Put the name of your chapter or group with your contact details so that people who are new to the issue will know who to contact to find out more. You can use chalk to write messages on public sidewalks.

Be vocal. Learn or create some chants so that everyone knows what you’re protesting and why. Some examples include:

What do we want? Voting Rights! When do we want them? Now!

Hey, hey! Ho, ho! Curfew laws have got to go!

Youth rights are human rights!

Whose schools? Our schools!

[scotianostra]

September 8th 1820 saw the execution of John Baird and Andrew Hardie in Stirling, following the Battle of Bonnymuir in April. This was part of what is known as the Radical War that year.

The following words are from a sort single sheet newspaper of the day called a Braodsheet, published by William Cameron of Edinburgh, and cost one penny.

YESTERDAY, 8th September, 1820, the preparation for the execution of these unfortunate men having been completed the previous night, this morning the scaffold appeared to the view of the inhabitants. On each side the scaffold was placed a coffin, at the head of which was a tub, filled with sawdust, destined to receive the head. To the side of the tub was affixed a block.

The clergymen of the town (the reverend Drs Wright and Small,) and the reverend Mr Bruce, throughout the confinement of the prisoners, were unremitting in their duties. The morning previous to the execution was spent almost solely in devotion and reflections, suited to the awful situation of the prisoners. About 11 o'clock a troop of the 7th Dragoon Guards arrived from Falkirk, and were assisted by the 13th Foot quartered in the Castle.

At a quarter after one the procession left the Castle, and was seen to move down Broad Street, the unfortunate men in a hurdle, their backs to the horse, and the headsman with his axe sitting so as to face them. They were respectably dressed in black, with weepers. The procession was attended by the Sheriff-depute and his Substitute, and the Magistrates, all with their staves of office. The troops lined the streets so as to permit the whole to pass slow and undisturbed to the spot intended for the execution. During the procession, the prisoners sung a hymn, in which they were joined by the multitude. At 20 minutes to two o'clock, the hurdle arrived at the Court-house.

Hardie first descended. He was followed by Baird, then the headsman. Hardie, by mistake, was conducted into the waiting-room. He bowed twice respectfully to the gentlemen who were present. The Reverend Dr Wright accompanied Hardie. The Reverend Dr Small, and Mr Brown, were with Baird. Hardie turned round, and observing how few persons were present, said to one of the clergymen, “ Is this all that is to be present.” Dr Wright read the whole of the 51st psalm. He then delivered a most impressive prayer; after which, a few verses of the same psalm, from the 7th verse, were sung by the prisoners and others present, Hardie giving out two lines at a time, in a clear and distinct voice, and sung the same without any tremulency.

The Reverend Dr Small then delivered a prayer, remarkable for zeal and fervour ; after which, the 103d psalm was sung, Hardie giving out two lines at a time as before. The conduct of these two men while in the Court-room was most calm and unassuming. Some refreshment being offered, Hardie took a glass of sherry, and Baird a glass of port. Hardie said something the exact import of which we could not collect. He begged the sheriff to express their gratitude to General Graham, Major Peddie, and the public authorities, for their humanity and at-tention ; he then bowed to the other persons present, and drank off the whole of the contents of the glass.

Baird then addressed himself to the sheriff, and begged to convey sentiments of a similàr nature. When they were pinioned Hardie mentioned to Baird to come forward to the scaffold. While in the Courtroom both prisoners particularly Hardie, seemed less affected by their situation than any other person present; his hand, while he held his book, never trembled. On their arrival at the scaffold, there was a dead silence. After a few minutes, Baird addressed the crowd in a very loud voice. He adverted to the circumstance in which he was placed, and said he had but little to say, but that he never gave his assent to any thing inconsistent with truth and justice. He then recommended the bible, and a peaceful conduct to his hearers. Hardie then addressed the crowd. He commenced with the word “ Countrymen.” At some-ting which we could not completely catch, and which we must not guess at there was a huzzaing, and marks of approbation. After a few moments silence as if recollecting he had proceeded too far, and had excited feelings inconsistent with his situation, he spoke again. He advised the crowd not to think of them, but to attend to their bibles, and recommended them, in place of going to public houses, to drink to the memory of Baird and Hardie, that they would retire to their devotions.

After the ropes were adjusted, a most warm and affectionate prayer was delivered by the reverend Mr Bruce. At eleven minutes before three the necessary arrangements being made, Hardie gave the signal, when they were launched into eternity.

After hanging half an hour, they were cut down, and placed upon the cof-fins, with, their necks upon a block; the headsman then came forward ; he was a little man, apparently about 18 years of age; he wore a black crape over his face, a hairy cap, and a black gown

On his appearance there was a cry of murder. He struck the neck of Hardie thrice before it was severed ; then held it up with both hands, saying, “ This is the head of a traitor.” He severed the head of Baird at two blows, held it up in the same, manner, and used the same words The coffin were then removed, and the crowd peaceably dispersed.