I learned about the Progressive Labor Party from a member who I met during a rally against the murder of George Floyd in Patterson, New Jersey. We first met in a signal chat that consisted of various organizers and activists so I did not know what organization this person was from, if any. I remember listening to the progressive politician Larry Hamm speak at the protest about how the police were out of control and there needed to be better relations between the community and police. I didn’t know Hamm too well but remarked to the person I came with that he seemed like a pretty good guy. They shrugged and responded that he was a politician and therefore trying to diffuse the anger in the community and push people toward using the electoral process as a solution for the police murdering black people in America. I was impressed and wasn’t expecting such an answer from someone whose politics I didn’t really know. I considered myself a communist already but didn’t really share that too much because I find it can be alienating, even in “leftist” circles. I was happy to find out this person was a communist too. It was during this discussion that I learned about PLP.
I have been organizing with the DSA for a few years t but I was curious about this local communist party and eventually reached out to PLP to see what it took to become a member. Soon a member reached out to me, surprisingly another person I had already met in organizer circles, and I learned about a reading group the PLP was holding in a Newark park. I went and it was a small group, but they were all communists and discussing the party’s political line. I was amazed that this kind of thing existed in Newark; I had no idea. It was there that I learned about the summer project the Newark PLP members were organizing. The reading group was interesting so I was enthusiastic to learn more about this group.
When I went to the summer project’s opening study group I was not disappointed. I met many more members of many ages, backgrounds, and professions. I learned about the party’s history which was far longer and more storied than I would have guessed. Long-time members spoke to the issues the country was facing from an anticapitalist framework, discussed revisionism, and recalled rallying against and fighting against Nazis, among many other topics. We ended with an impromptu Challenge sale at a basketball game in the park where the local community had gathered to watch. People like myself who were just checking PLP out were encouraged to get out and talk to people in the community and hand out communist literature on their very first meeting. This showed me what PLP was about.
The two-week summer project continued in this vein. I met more members, including some from New York City where the party originated. I helped distribute Challenge to workers outside a member’s workplace, participated in a motorcade where we blasted homemade communist chants over popular songs, and participated in several more study groups where I learned more about the party’s line. It was so energizing and reassuring to know that a principled group of communists that really combined theory with praxis was right in the city I lived in and had members who were so active. I met many amazing people, made new friends and comrades, and learned much about organizing and theory. I don’t necessarily agree with everything in the party’s line. For example I don’t necessarily accept that existing socialist countries were wrong to preserve the use of money and wages. I don’t feel qualified to weigh in on that issue, among many others. But I don’t have to agree with everything in PLP’s line to know that this is an organization I want to be a part of. I look forward to studying, struggling and organizing with the amazing comrades I met during the summer project. I hear that it was one of very few summer projects in the country. I hope that changes next year and many more chapters hold summer projects because it made me a proud member and I think more summer projects would get many other workers on board with the party too. And that’s what needs to happen if we are to eventually see a revolution against this inhumane capitalist empire. Props and solidarity to the Newark PLP chapter; thanks for organizing such a great summer project.
*****
During the New Jersey summer project, members of PLP hosted a study group about immigration. We read the document “Migration Crisis: A Window into the Oppressive Capitalist System” from PL Magazine. Although the article is two years old, the system has not changed for migrants. Capitalist will never stop using racism, nationalism, and artificial borders to divide the working class in order to super exploit migrants. They will continue to use agricultural imperialism, wars, and corruption to push people from their homes to countries were they are forced to work for long hours, receiving meager wages, in exchange for promised safety and prosperity that never arrives. Capitalism will never provide for the working class, only a dictatorship of the proletariat under Communism will protect workers.
The study group was a combination of online and in person participants and was held in both English and Spanish. Three PLP members worked together prior to the study group to come up with guiding questions that were used to keep the discussion focused. Another PLP member served as moderator of the discussion. The entire process was a collective work. During the discussion, several participants served as interpreters. Members of our party and our base shared their immigrant experiences. One young woman shared how the United States was sold as the land of opportunity. Her mother sold all their belongings to move to the U.S. fleeing from gangs and poverty and in search of new possibilities for her children. Once here, she was faced with the harsh realities of the capitalist, racist U.S. system where she works all day for minimum wage but can barely provide for her children. She questions whether she made a mistake but fears it is too late to return.
The multigenerational, multi-ethnic makeup of the group made for great conversation where non-English speakers participated as robustly as anyone else. This should be a given in any conversation, but we see time and time again how immigrants are exiled to the back of the room and made to feel like they don’t belong. Not in PLP.
However, we do have to make more progress in spreading the politics of no borders. Every member of PLP must be confident in saying that we don’t want the immigration reform of liberal bosses, we want to do away with racist borders.
*****
I joined the PLP members on the streets of Newark, where I handed out issues of Challenge with a headline about a nurses' strike. I was inspired by a few workers actually reading them in front of me. Several people were intrigued, thanking me for the information or asking questions about communism. This community engagement invigorated my perception of communism from academic philosophy to activist reality.
That day, I also attended an open study group focused on abolishing borders and nationalism. Every single word was translated, which communicated a sense of urgency to ensure everyone understood the information being discussed.
While I am too young to have been there in person, I have watched videos of the activist group called ACT UP, which mobilized workers to action against the spread of AIDS. My experience in the study group last week made me think of ACT UP in its diversity, unrelenting commitment to globalism, and the feeling of determination in the face of a deathly foe. I am excited to come back to PLP study groups and continue to promulgate the Challenger. Please continue with this important work.
*****
I am a communist speaking out against the atrocity’s workers face under this capitalist health care regime. Workers know if they are not fully exploited by a corporation, they will not gain the perks of having insurance to treat an illness. That insurance or copayment from the wage slave savings though exploitation, is then used to care for a worker in a healthcare institution. The hospital where I work has a “We Care” motto. This facility says, “We care for 120 patients.” Each shift is supposed to have 9 nurses, 14 Certified nurse’s aides, 4 housekeepers, 6 dietary aides. On the contrary here, there is only 1 nurse taking care of new admissions and 30 patients at $21.96 per hour. There are also only 2 Certified nurse’s aides working a floor of 45 patients at a rate of $11.40 per hour. There is only 1 housekeeper on the floor to make 30 beds and only 3 dietary aides to serve food to all 120 patients for $9 per hour. THAT IS SUPER EXPLOITATION!!
Many experiences have destroyed my trust of the capitalist health care system. I did doubles and even triple shifts for pennies while being the only Certified Nurse’s Aide taking care of 45 patients. The orders that are given to me by the head nurse in charge “I don't care if the patients are soiled just make sure that they are alive and there are no falls on my shift.” This shows the workers how much the bosses care. All of this exploitation for a $20 gift card and $17 overtime. Another example is when we workers asked for more Hoyer lifts. These devices allow us to transfer patients from their beds and to wheelchairs without hurting our backs. Even though there are three lifts in the facility, only one is in working condition. The administration’s answer to our demand to fix the other two is that this single one works! This means we must suffer through back-breaking Olympics risk injuring patients with the antiquated sliding board. When we workers are injured, we are replaced, and the hospital fails to pay for sick leave.
This super exploitation of cheap labor oppresses the workers and allows the bosses to profit anywhere from $15,000 -$30,000 per patient per month. The bosses use allocation of resources to make sure the corporation stays afloat; by dipping into the savings accounts of the patients and by not paying the full amount on a check to workers. The union 1199 is the glue to keep the workers' mouths shut. The union handbook states, it's illegal to strike or interfere with the operation of the employer as a partner of the union!
Another capitalist lie for control is: you work at the bottom so you can reach the top through hard work, time management, and perseverance. This competitive attitude allows the bosses to profit. Racist, sexist ideology furthers individualist division. Bosses have always known that we the workers have power when we break down these capitalist barriers. They know that united we will win, separated we will lose! Whether it be anti-immigrant ideas or liberal lies from Obama or Biden, all bosses try to keep us separate.
Internationally the working class has been suffering police murder, poverty, lynching’s and disease. But many of our brothers and sisters believe that if we just get respect, then we might become the next CEO, administrator, or even a liberal politician. Then we believe we have the power to reform the capitalist system. But no matter which individuals are in power, the ruling class conquers us through nationalism, false barriers of race privilege and favoritism among workers. They want to keep us full of illusions, passivity and cynicism as class war rages in the streets. Meanwhile our brothers and sisters die in emergency rooms everywhere.
Attention Workers! If you want to end the oppression of this capitalist system it is time to stand up, organize together and join the Communist Progressive Labor Party! Unite in the Working Class fight back to overthrow the capitalist system internationally!
Our greatest weapon to combat capitalism is communist revolution for the working-class ultimate power. Our biggest lesson from working class history is that we can conquer the disease of capitalism with communist revolution! Only through communism will workers be able to experience the long and productive life we deserve.
Capitalism is the disease; only communism is the cure!
*****
For the first time, Challenge Sales were distributed in Stephen Crane Village, a low-income housing complex where the residents are predominantly Black and Latino. Stephen Crane lies on the border of Belleville, NJ near the Clara Maass medical center. A few comrades stood in front of Pat’s Deli, where workers from the hospital often visited during their lunch hour, while other comrades went door to door with their papers, speaking with the residents, encouraging them to inquire further if they were interested.
I live in Stephen Crane village and I initially had been cynical about reaching out to residents due to me projecting my own individualist thinking onto them. But I was surprised that my neighbors turned out to be more receptive than I’d believed. My neighbors are affected by COVID and discriminatory housing practice just as I am, and those who are employed are most likely essential workers, so they feel angry and discouraged too. They listened to what we had to say and seemed interested in learning more. I myself reached out to them and told them that if they had any questions, they could contact me.
I would love for distribution to become a more regular thing in Stephen Crane, because the residents’ voices matter too. It’s a predominantly Black and Latino complex, but majority of these people are elderly, disabled, and rely on fixed income. Their needs, and concerns often go unheard of by the directors, who are selective about who needs help first. This is a cheaper and more accessible way for them to be informed.
I was a bit apprehensive about distributing by the hospital because Belleville is a town with a decent number of residents who support the police force. However, that was not the case and was pleased to know that those were receptive to our fellow comrade.
Motorcade & Protest
The Motorcade went well. I looked all around, passersby were honking their horns in solidarity, they were cheering us on, they took the newspapers and nodded their heads in agreement at our chants. I saw many people raising their fists in approval when we drove past. This was especially evident when we entered the Shop Rite parking lot. We handed out the Challenge paper to those on foot.
The protest in Kearny went well, the reception was largely warm, a few comrades passed out Challenge Papers to those driving past. I felt energized standing alongside my fellow comrades as we chanted and railed against the capitalist system, even as the police cars kept driving back and forth trying to intimidate us. The speeches that were given during the protest were heartfelt and compassionate, calling on people to fight back against the evils of capitalism; One comrade spoke about how capitalism prioritizes profit over workers and patients alike in hospitals which has been highlighted through this whole COVID pandemic. Despite a brief encounter with the police, it was a great experience.
Study Groups
The study groups were interesting because it bought together the seasoned comrades with the younger inexperienced comrades, we learned from one another. The media will have you believed that the older generation looks down on the younger generation, but I saw none of that. People of different ethnicities, sexualities, religions were engaging each other, and honestly, that is what solidarity looks like in that setting. I learned from the older comrades, and I hope that they learned something from the younger comrades. Out of the study groups I attended, I loved the What is Communism? and Sexism group discussions the most, because I got a lot of insight about how sexism isn’t gender exclusive, but capitalism would have us believe it is, because they exploit sexism (just like they do with racism) to maintain profit and power and keep workers from developing class consciousness. I went into the discussion thinking that men benefitted from sexism, but it hurts them just as much as it hurts women, only they don’t realize it. As for Communism group, I’m glad we had it, because I grew up with misconceptions about Communism and only had knowledge based on the heavily biased American news networks. All I knew about Communism was through Fidel Castro, and I was programmed to believe that Fidel Castro was a horrible person because he was a Communist. Being in this party, as well as having the discussion on Communism shattered my beliefs about the Communist movement, and I didn’t know that there were so many black people who were a part of a Communist movement.
We constantly critique capitalism and I never realized how deeply embedded it was in our belief systems and ideology, even through the art and music we consume. Which is why I opted to lead the discussion in ideology and culture myself. I never realized how capitalism shaped and molded my beliefs. I used to talk about wanting to be rich enough to support my family and use it to help people. I realize that while my intentions were good, it still wouldn’t be enough under a capitalist society, because there would still be inequality, poverty, and oppression. I meant well, but I couldn’t see how that was individualist in nature.
Overall, the Summer Camp Project was a great success, and I look forward to the next one.
****
One highlight of the Newark Summer Project was the distribution of our Challenge newspaper. I estimated we got out a total of 1500. Additionally, it’s my practice to divide hundreds of papers so that we have separate English and Spanish. That makes every issue go twice as far!
Many new faces came out to distribute; we had a minimum of 5 and max of 10 people at every place we went. We went to large housing projects in Newark, Belleville and Kearny, a hospital, and the entire length of a motorcade through Newark and Kearny. We emphasized our workplaces, neighborhoods where several of us live and locations where we have distributed for decades and where we will continue to concentrate. At least two hours were spent at each location in the midst of the heat wave.
We found that at each place new to us, we encountered people from our jobs or who we had known in years past. One location in Kearny has several friends from our long-term activities in a large Latin organization.
A criticism I had was that the papers were distributed and not sold. It used to be a principle of mine to never “give out the paper for free”. But my understanding is that we will focus on neighborhoods in future years where the emphasis will be on deepening ties, and then the contributions as well as new members will come around.
*****
Can there be a communist revolution if we don’t fight sexism? Can we do away with sexism without a communist revolution?
Participants in the study group on sexism that was part of the New Jersey PLP 2020 Summer Project answered both questions with a resounding “No!”
Sexism—oppression and exploitation based upon gender—is everywhere around us. Demeaning representations of women in popular culture; domestic violence against women and children; women’s substantially lower pay; the trillions of dollars’ worth of unpaid labor (usually women’s) performed in the home; brutalization of sexually nonconforming people; the commonly shared belief that gender difference involves inequality: all these ways of seeing and being are so much a part of everyday experience that it is easy to detach them from capitalism and see them as just reflections of “human nature.” Yet, especially when conjoined with racism, sexist ideologies and practices are immensely destructive, dividing and disempowering the working class around the world.
Marxist class analysis enables us to root these beliefs, behaviors, and practices—sometimes directly, sometimes indirectly—in the political economy of capitalism. We asked everyone to consider: (1) What is sexism, and how have you experienced it? (2) How have your ideas about gender and sexuality been shaped by the broader culture? (3) Do the majority of men benefit from sexism? (4) What is the difference between oppression and exploitation? (5) How does sexism profit the capitalist class? (6) Is nonconforming sexual identity intrinsically radical? In preparation, people were invited to study the article about fighting sexism in the August 7, 2020 issue of Challenge-Desafio (http://www.plp.org/challenge/2020/8/7/working-class-women-organize-against-racist-cops.html); the PLP pamphlet on sexism (file:///C:/Users/BARBAR~1/AppData/Local/Temp/strugglevssexism.pdf); a video containing interviews with various Party members talking about fighting sexism (https://www.dropbox.com/s/7t461d8lhnnak6z/Winning%20the%20Fight%20Against%20Sexism.mp4?dl=0); videos featuring Queen Latifah ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8cHxydDb7o, Missy Elliot (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UvBX3REqSY, and Ru Paul https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PD3-3FPNd0c; as well as excerpts from Friedrich Engels’s On the Origin of the Family, Private Property and the State and Lise Vogel’s Marxism and the Oppression of Women. We sought to link key concepts in Marxist theory with familiar pieces of popular culture.
Here are a few highlights from our discussion:
-- While there are biological differences between men and women, sexist differentials in class society are rooted in the rise of private property (see Engels). Sexism not a "natural" outcome of biology, but a historical consequence of relations of property ownership.
-- Sexist ideology both reflects and justifies a social division of labor that coerces women into unpaid work in the home, lowers their wages, and depresses the living standards of women and men alike. Sexism contributes enormously to the bosses’ ability to extract surplus value.
-- Dominant sexist ideologies and practices can warp male workers' notions of "gender-appropriate" behavior, leading them to embrace toxic hyper-masculine ideas and behaviors that greatly restrict the range of human emotions they allow themselves to experience—e.g., “Boys don’t cry.”
-- Women too can internalize sexist ideas—about beauty, about how women should act around men—that end up making them complicit in their own oppression.
--Identity politics and intersectionality—ideas having widespread influence these days—caricature class analysis as “class reductionism,” direct attention away from capitalism as the source of inequality, and foster division rather than unity among the world’s workers.
We came away from the study group on sexism with increased appreciation of the importance of linking our political practice—as communists and friends of communists—with a theoretical understanding grounded in key Marxist analytical concepts, such as historical materialism, exploitation, and ideology.
Sexism greatly impedes the working class’s struggle for self-emancipation. At a time when lies and mystification abound, and women and men, straight and nonconforming, need to unify around our common class interests, we must struggle to arm ourselves, in theory and practice, for current battles and battles to come.