Members of the recently-reorganized Culture Committee of PL continue to struggle over ideas for presentations to counter the bourgeois culture that surrounds us with the hatreds and anti-working-class propaganda of the ruling class and their mass media. Our discussion reviewed the pre-May Day event we organized in April.
We conceived of the idea of a No Borders event to counter the vicious attacks upon undocumented immigrants called “illegal” or “alien” by the bosses’ press. As was pointed out at a demonstration in Staten Island, “How could anyone from the Earth be an alien?” If anyone is alien, it’s the bosses who don’t care if workers live or die. They use us like pawns, an important cultural understanding. We produced the show, touching on the many facets of anti-immigrant propaganda that are becoming prevalent through media outlets and popular culture in the United States.
We opened the show with a little musical presentation that spoke to the need to smash all borders. Our poetry and song reflected the common humanity of ordinary people struggling in the face of the enormous obstacles that the rulers create to stop us from uniting. The show went on with excerpts from Paul Robeson’s speech made at the Peace Bridge on the Canadian border because Robeson was not allowed to leave the U.S.
There was a great rendition of the Langston Hughes poem “Good Morning Revolution,” spoken by many voices from the audience. An original poem from Haiti was read in both Kreyol and English. Our historical PL photo exhibit was also on display. The evening was a resounding success.
Next Event: The Fight Against Sexism
We are now moving on to organize another event with a theme of anti-sexism, and want to expand the committee to reflect the diversity of the Party. We are also developing a youth chorus to perform popular and revolutionary songs.
We are all positive about the possibility of developing the cultural work in the Progressive Labor Party. The tasks ahead are not easy, but the joy that the No Borders evening brought to the audience, the performers, and the organizers was evident. Since our reorganization, the committee has presented a variety music show as a fundraiser against racist police violence. It included a photographic exhibition of historical PL, anti-racist, and pro-communist struggle, along with a revue of song and poetry on the theme of No Borders.
Join with us to develop the youth chorus and expand the cultural work that can inspire workers to smash the racist, sexist, and individualistic culture that capitalist rulers try to use to keep workers divided and passive. Our communist voices will be heard!J (Anyone interested in joining the committee should contact us through plp.org.)