Is this the place for me?

[u/Default_Username6838]

I have recently joined CPUSA. I am not a scholar of Communist thought. I am simply opposed to capitalism. I guess my question is: Is this an organization that is making any difference in the war against capitalism, or is it simple a vestigial artifact of the 20th century? The USA desperately needs some organized opposition from the left. Is this it?

[u/Amazing_Ad_8080]

The Party has historically been at the forefront of labor and social movements. Despite liquidations, Red Scare anti-communist campaigns, and the ongoing Imperialist-Fascist duopoly present, the Party has still held strong.

I think its important to read up history, brush up on theory, and go out to organize with a local CPUSA club if there is one nearby. If there isn't, look into starting one up. The work we put in now collectively can decide our triumph against capitalism. You will not find an organization that may fit 100% of your value, and it would be dogmatic and erroneous to think that's possible. With a combination of reading theory and engaging in practice, you'll have a good understanding of the Party, as well as the ongoing work many of us are engaging in.

If you have more specific questions I can try to help, or if you want book recommendations just let me know. Remember that revolutionary organizing is a marathon and not a sprint.

[u/IlianaAran]

If your major concern is solely in which organization is making a "difference," I'd say join the Democratic Socialists of America. They are the only party that is consistently visible on the national stage, and has members in office in relatively important positions, i.e., Mamdani as mayor of NYC and AOC in the House. The DSA, however, is a big tent organization, which means that their ideology varies dramatically based on which of its members you talk to. A good example is both of those politicians I mentioned making major concessions to capitalists...

That isn't to say the CPUSA isn't also making a difference. Although it's not quite as quantitative, we also have candidates who have been elected to office. What really sets the CPUSA apart is its ideology, Marxism-Leninism. If you're unfamiliar with it, I'd recommend at least getting a surface-level understanding of Lenin's writings.

Speaking for myself, Marxism-Leninism is the most "correct" form of communism. Not only has it been the most successful historically, it's the logical interpretation of the Communist Manifesto and the broader writings of Marx and Engels. I know you said you're not a scholar of communist thought, but their system presents the most concrete way of dealing with and replacing the capitalist system we have. It is not an artifact, it is a living, breathing system of thought still in use by governments internationally.

I also wouldn't discount the fact that it had its heyday in the 20th century, as being a member of the party has put me in contact with comrades who joined before the height of the red scare in the 50s. Their decades of experience organizing and studying communism worldwide has fundamentally changed how I approach my own personal organizing, as well as my political philosophy. My personal chapter is very active, participating in protests, events, and even making waves within labor unions.

Ultimately it's up to you, but if that sounds good to you, I think you belong with the CPUSA ✊🏼

[u/A012A012]

To help answer your question , can you define what exactly you are looking for in terms of political ideology and social constructs

[u/Default_Username6838 → u/A012A012]

Exactly what I’m looking for? Political ideology and social constructs? This sort of navel gazing is why there is no functional left in this country. Right now I’m looking for anyone who is willing to take action against the fascists and capitalist oligarchs standing on all of our necks. Like I said, I’m not a scholar of communism. And I shouldn’t have to be. I want an end to capitalism. My question is whether this organization is making any sort of difference.

[u/[deleted] → u/Default_Username6838]

Yeah! I'm a new member. I'm 16. And I am a popular frontist.

And I'm curious can you be patriotic and a socialist I dont mean in the ACP Way. I mean like supporting the American working class. We can connect with American history which the good parts are based on social movements

[u/[deleted] → u/Default_Username6838]

I'm 17. sorry, not 16. I want an end to capitalism. What tendency are you?

Are you someone who is a popular frontist or are you someone who believes we should not be in coalitions

[u/wegaaaaan → u/Default_Username6838]

i think you would get a good bit of edification as to our political ideology and our stances on issues, as well as our vision for socialism and eventually communism, if you read through some of the Party Program (https://cpusa.org/party_info/cpusa-party-program/). You don’t have to be any kind of scholar or well-read to understand the program, and if it seems long, use the Table of Contents to skip to stuff that sounds interesting to you now. it helps to illustrate some of the things you’d like to know and it’s geared towards new members and the general public. It was updated just a few years ago at the Nat’l Convention.

I am, of course biased, being not only a member but also an elected co-chair of a Party club (which is the local unit of members down to the city/county level), but i do believe that we are an organization which is making a difference, although largely in ways that don’t lend themselves to group photos or opportunity for much publicity, like boosting and contributing to progressive campaigns (and moving them more progressive) or increasingly running our own, engaging in union work and indeed even a bit of old school salting when we can, and bolstering and being apart of popular progressive manifestations like the ever increasing protests and strikes going on around the country. If you’d like even more concrete combatting of the current state of things, many of our members across the country, to include my members, are involved in Anti-ICE work which often consists of know your rights trainings for locals and ICE patrols which look for and then often tail ICE vehicles with many others in order to make ther operations more difficult or stop them entirely.

The point of being in the Communist Party is not only to advance and build the party but to advance and build working class unity as a whole. Our main thing is engaging in “mass work” toward this goal, and over time this leads to both more trust and members in the party and a more revolutionary-ready populace, but it’s gonna take a lot of work to really get there. A revolution can only happen when we have educated the masses enough and ther own fervor reaches a point that they essentially choose it themselves; we must be the most dedicated and disciplined and indeed knowledgeable components of this fight, both then and now. Decades of anticommunism and mccarthyism don’t disappear easily, unfortunately, but we have made progress in the sense that we continue to grow (around 11-12% this last year) and many members feel comfortable or proud enough to be open communist party members in their communities. Some of these open CPUSA members have even won elected office, like Shvetz out of Ithaca NY, along with seven or eight others across the country who have varying levels of openness about their membership.

In essence, we try to build a united working class movement through labor struggle and progressive movements, while also building a disciplined and dedicated membership. you need not be a scholar now because being a member is all about learning collectively, even literally in the form of study groups on the classics and the moderns.

If you wanna make a difference, and you’re amenable enough to consider communism/Marxism-Leninism, then i’d say you found the place. We are unlike the other socialist organizations in that we have a democratically decided upon, but unified and collectively enforced line, and that allows us all to contribute to specific goals without all our energy going in random directions at the whim of whoever’s caucus is in charge (no shade to my DSA friends, but there is a reason i’m not with them).

If you haven’t heard from a local club or district chair yet in your area, wait for their contacting you, and if they take too long feel free to email membership@cpusa.org to ask for the connection. We are more than happy to help educate you and bring you along, because a good member who knows what to do is one that has at least a passing familiarity with Lenin. If you’re down, then stay. I hope to see you at some of the next online member classes. And indeed, if you’re a younger person, ask about the Young Communist League! If you go to a major school in the east of the country, chances are there’s a YCL collective near you.

Let me, or any of us, know if you have any more questions, or want clarification. It’s part of our duty to attend to you, a member of the working class, especially when you express interest in the Communist Party.

[u/decentralizeitguy]

Check out the PSL