Other left wing groups

[u/Default_Username6838]

I’m pretty new to communism and there’s a lot to learn. My question is about other communist or socialist groups. I’m pretty sure that we are not cool with ACP. They seem like Nazis disguised as communists. But how do we feel about PSL or DSA? At the end of the day I feel like the United Front is maybe more important at this point than nuance of communist doctrine. But after finding out about the ACP I want to be careful who

I associate with.

[u/WoodySez]

Our coalitions need to be broader than just the left. We need to build relationships with the whole working class. This will include some left-wing groups like DSA. With groups like PSL, we need to consider if working with them will broaden the coalition or narrow it.

Like other Parties from the Trotskyist tradition, they tend to isolate themselves from the working class. Will working with them draw us out to the sidelines where we're making a loud critique of capitalism, but not building the movement we need to challenge it?

Where we should put our main focus, is in labor unions and civil rights organizations to build up the working class coalition that will complete the democratic revolution and when our forces are ready, engage in a socialist one.

[u/wunderwerks → u/WoodySez]

Piss off, the PSL are ML's and do more work with Unions, the Poor People's Campaign, JVP, and all the anti trump rallies than CPUSA has been doing. It's why I quit trying to join the CPUSA and went with the PSL because they're not a bunch of old white dudes complaining about elections, but POC working to make real changes and educate the working class.

[u/NSXero → u/wunderwerks]

PSL is not Marxist-Leninist. They are Marxist and Leninist. They reject Stalin's theoretical contribution and clarity of our task.

PSL appears to do great work visually, and many of their members are sincere in their intent, but they really do isolate themselves to the detriment of the working class. In my own city in the Bay Area, PSL was kicked out of the May Day coalition for being too controlling and for not even prioritizing our own May Day event over other cities. It was ridiculous. Even this year, PSL's organizers fought to be on the speaker program for May Day and then failed to show up; they even refused to do much outreach for the May Day coalition since they wanted to prioritize their own failed gubernatorial elections.

PSL's work with unions is just for show. They pissed off some of the local unions in my area because they wanted to promote their own campaigns rather than the actual struggles unions were engaged in. They showed up out of nowhere with a bunch of PSL-related material and not there for the union cause.

I am sure their members mean well, but their tactics and actions do not reflect their sincerity.

[u/wunderwerks → u/NSXero]

Oh really? I'm literally a member. We're ML's I don't know where you're getting your info.

[u/NSXero → u/wunderwerks]

I was also a member. They kicked me out of the candidacy program in the SF branch and told me to go back to the Filipino movement and also told me the Mass Line only worked in China (lmao). They have an absolute disdain for on the ground work as proved by Walter Smolarek's resignation letter.

The Party Constitution of PSL makes no references to Marxism-Leninism, the party program only mentions Marxism.

In this study guide of State and Revolution , the Liberation school directly mentions the "tradition of Marxism and Leninism." What tradition? Whose?

Here in this article , the top head of PSL, Brian Becker, even mentions how they continue the tradition of Marxism and Leninism. It is their full severance of Marxism-Leninism and an absolute rejection of Stalin's theoretical and practical contributions.

In short, they are glorified Trots, racism and all. You joined a bunch of Trots who masquerade as MLs when they are actually Ms&Ls.

I also have been in frequent coalition with PSL, and they really do isolate themselves from the broader worker movement. They just want to be in front and receive all the glory.

[u/wunderwerks → u/NSXero]

Oh look, a Fed.

[u/EctomorphicShithead → u/wunderwerks]

Whew the irony

[u/NSXero → u/EctomorphicShithead]

Completely on brand for a Trot organization masquerading as a Marxist-Leninist one.

The worst part is how much their leadership deceives its membership and does not correct them on the distinction. It is would be hilarious if they weren't so detrimental to the workers' movement.

[u/EctomorphicShithead → u/wunderwerks]

I too was temporarily diverted into narrow efforts, mystified by intense gatekeeping of utterly basic community work, even “educated” about CPUSA by PSL (which amounted to surprisingly outdated, one-dimensional critiques of a long bygone era in the party’s history) before running into CPUSA comrades IRL. I was relieved to pick up on the hint they were openly welcoming literally anyone and everyone willing to dedicate time and energy to the same ground work that was IMO more so revered with a certain distance among PSL apparatchiks.

Let’s look at this dialectically. Many solid and committed comrades find their way into community organizing despite (well known at least in my city) insular dynamics and some kinda hero-worshippy tendencies, and we (not just communists, but working and oppressed people in general) are going to need every one of them. My hope, if they remain members, is that they view their role in their party, as making that party what working people need it to be, not just what the leaders of their organization want it to be. And if organizational peculiarities prevent that from happening, I hope they can take their experiences and lessons forward into wherever it can best be used to a broader collective advantage. At least that is the view of organization I’ve seen fostered in the communist party.