This article was posted at the Party for Socialism and Liberation’s website. It is an article in which a member of the party, in Chicago, explains why she joined.
Through time I eventually learned how terrible this capitalistic government truly is. Through reading, viewing documentaries, witnessing and learning from my grandmother and my boyfriend, I started becoming more aware each passing day.
In March 2008, some friends and I performed a political poem during the protest against the Iraq war here in Chicago. I was not involved with any organization during this time, but that is when I first heard about the PSL and ANSWER Chicago [Act Now to Stop War and End Racism].
Less than a year later I had a neck injury. Due to my broken neck I was confined at home and constantly on the Internet. I searched up ANSWER Chicago and clicked the Web site. I remember I read, “Get involved,” and at that moment I knew I wanted to call. The following day I called the phone number that was listed on the Web site.
An ANSWER organizer answered the phone and asked me when I could stop by the office. I told him that I was suffering from an injury and would be able to meet him the following month. When I went to the ANSWER Chicago office for the first time, the organizer, John, immediately made me feel comfortable. He made sure I knew what the organization was about and how I could be of assistance.
After meeting the members of PSL Chicago and seeing how they were all genuine people who welcomed me into their office, I immediately knew I wanted to become a member.
For a long period of time I knew I wanted to be a part of something that united the people, a group that cared about the welfare, voice and interest of the people—an organization that fights for civil rights and fights against the injustices of racism, classism, sexism, oppression and war.
For me, the best decision I have ever made was to join the PSL. I stand amongst these members of the working class who fight every day of their lives to win justice and gain rights not only for themselves, but for every human soul on this planet. They are people who organize protests and rallies every time there are attacks on the working class, basic human rights, the environment, and the educational and health care systems. I stand amongst people who may not know you, but their selfless nature will fight for you when you are attacked by your own government.
When you join the Party for Socialism and Liberation, you are not just taking a step forward for the better, you are taking a leap. You are becoming united with people who are tired of daily oppression and who are willing to stand up to the political system and fight back.
Despite what is in the Constitution, this is not a true democracy, and there is not liberty and justice for all. So be part of this political movement and implement what this government fails to do: Help promote the general welfare of the people!
The Party for Socialism and Liberation was founded in 2004 and is an explicitly Marxist-Leninist political party.
[a] if you were a West Coaster, would you compromise, settle, waffle and join the California Peace and Freedom Party ???????
[b] do you not agree that after tons of anti Socialism and anti Communism thought and propaganda in North America in the 20th Century, the yelling of those two phrases clears a typical room faster than shouting ‘Fascist’ and or ‘Nazi’ ??????
actually, no, the working class and socialism are not like rust and steel. We Communists have been strong and active throughout all major struggles in the US (and internationally), be it womens struggles, lgbt struggles, race struggles, or even protesting things like past wars/US interventions or BP (like the PSL is doing with Seize BP). Without Communists and Socialists, the eight hour work day wouldnt’ve been passed in the 30’s, I guarantee it. The working majority ties hand in hand with Socialism and it has for hundreds of years.
socialism and the working class are like oil and water. actually more like rust and steel.
mdh is a moron. Socialism is NOT about making the government more powerful. In fact the opposite is true. Revolutionary Socialism is about abolishing the government in it’s entirety and establishing a whole new system run directly by the working class.
Learn your facts idiot.
Government and its corporate masters oppress people – let’s make it more powerful in the hopes that it will then not oppress people, because certainly if government is more powerful it will then break free of the shackles of said corporate masters. Hurrah!