Letters of April 22

PL Communist Youth School: ‘Amazing’

The following letters are from PLP’s communist youth school.

Something that really stood out this weekend was the workshop discussions. The readings and questions chosen were engaging and laid bare the way capitalism fails the working class and how communism is the only system that can address that and win. Discussions among young and old, Black, white, Asian, Latin, new and experienced really deepened those conversations.
It was so exciting to discuss and debate our visions of communism in a real, materialistic way.
★ ★ ★ ★  
It was great interacting with young and old and the idea of what communism would look like in the future. All doubts were answered in our community where children weren’t discouraged, but encouraged. A multiracial group of people partook in contributing their ideas to shape a better future and demolishing individualism, racism, nationalism, sexism, and any injustices which the system tries to make us blind to.
★ ★ ★ ★  
My weekend went great. I’m glad that I learned new stuff, such as communism. And I would love to learn more. I love the fact that everyone was friendly. It took me out of my comfort zone, but I loved the atmosphere here. I’m really shy and just to know that people don’t judge here makes me more comfortable. I still have a lot of questions to ask about communism. But I’m really sure I will become a communist when I’m older, maybe even now (if I can). Everything I learned this weekend was very interesting. And I would love to be a part of this fight to make our world better. And that fight is for communism.
★ ★ ★ ★  
I’ve been around the Party for a while now, but I haven’t had the chance to come to the communist school until now. It exceeded expectations! It was amazing to see people of all ages, races, and genders getting along and treating each other as equals. Seeing people living communally makes me confident that a worker-led world under communism is possible! I am re-energized for May Day and can’t wait to bring all my friends and see my comrades again.
★ ★ ★ ★  
I really enjoyed this communist school. Working together, preparing meals, cleaning, and participating in discussions really shows the potential that workers have to transform society.
As a single mom, it was refreshing to have so many people help with my daughter throughout the weekend so I could participate in the political discussions.
The youth, as always, are so inspiring. Seeing them embrace the Party’s ideas is refreshing and gives me both confidence and hope in the future.
★ ★ ★ ★  
I’ve been here three times and this was the best one so far! I loved both workshops but the first one was the best. It was very exciting to learn about surplus value and how slavery is basically still happening but in a more secretive way.
★ ★ ★ ★  
I enjoyed this weekend because I got to see some familiar faces and also meet new people. I always enjoy hearing people’s ideas and viewpoints on communism, capitalism and other topics that relate to it. This was my first retreat and I enjoyed myself.
★ ★ ★ ★  
The communist school was amazing, not only because of the communist content but the people. They are genuinely good people and it felt amazing to meet and connect with comrades. The workshops were beautifully led. Living together went smoothly because we all took responsibility. And most importantly we had fun. Whether it was playing games or dancing, we had fun. I love everyone here, and I am looking forward to building this Party and getting ready for May Day. It’s going to be lit [exciting]!!
★ ★ ★ ★  
As a teacher and communist, the most wonderful thing to see is when our young people get serious about changing the world for the better. At this communist school, one of my former students did an excellent and exciting job of leading one of the discussion groups. And another student, active in the school club for which I’ve been an advisor, loved the weekend and is now seriously thinking about joining Progressive Labor Party. These are profound and heart-warming developments!
★ ★ ★ ★  
This weekend was another great experience for me because every year I come, the learning gets better and it opens up my thoughts. Communism has and will have such a great effect on the communities.
As a student I will invite a few of my friends to May Day. And also give them a quick look on my experiences about attending May Day in the past.
★ ★ ★ ★  
I had my doubts about coming to this retreat but I am very grateful that I was given this opportunity. Instead of spending another weekend at home alone, I spent my time gaining knowledge about a topic I was still somewhat unclear about — communism! It was amazing to see how a common struggle among workers could bring so many people together. Everyone, young and old, took part in our discussions (which were led by young students) and helped out with work that had to be done (cooking, cleaning, etc.). This weekend showed us all that if we can live as a community for 3 days then we can do it for even longer (forever).
★ ★ ★ ★  
My weekend at the Spring Retreat was AMAZING! I got the opportunity to reconnect with old comrades and meet some new ones. The workshops were very insightful and allowed us to expand our minds. I had an awesome time here and I will definitely do this again! It gave me a taste of what a communist society would be like and I like it a lot.
★ ★ ★ ★  
Like every year, this PLP youth camp was amazing. Learning, cooking, cleaning, dancing, was done collectively. The participants ranged in age from eight to decades upon decades old, and everyone participated. The discussions ranged from how bosses make surplus value from exploiting workers’ labor to how health care under communism would be figured out collectively for the benefit of all. The youngest group could not believe that the American Girl dolls they love so much only cost $3 to make but are sold for over $100!!! The best part of the weekend was hearing plans for how to make this year’s May Day March the biggest and best yet.
★ ★ ★ ★  
I had the best weekend ever! There were amazing workshops that consisted of amazing content. I was lucky to have been a workshop leader and have such an engaging discussion with my group. The knowledge each individual had was shared amongst the group; everyone was enlightened! The best part of the retreat was that there was a natural connection between everyone. There was no outsider here. There is no outsider in the Progressive Labor Party EVER. Join PLP and fight for what’s right. We are strong when we are unified. Be a part of the unification.
★ ★ ★ ★  
This weekend like every other Communist School has been an experience in communist living and learning over the course of the weekend. The most inspiring thing was the level of understanding and analysis that our youngest elementary and middle school students showed. This young future leadership, even myself, really shows that we will continue to fight strongly for an egalitarian world. A communist world.
★ ★ ★ ★  
The Communist School was without a doubt one of the most inspiring and enlightening experiences of my life. To discuss communism in an environment full of some of the most insightful people I have ever met was a privilege and a pleasure. Before coming, I was full of doubt. Although my rational mind had already accepted communism as the only real solution to our ailing world, I had no experience on which to base my beliefs. Now, I believe. In the Communist School, I see a future worth believing in, worth fighting for, and I cannot wait to continue the fight.
★ ★ ★ ★  
Seeing the young new faces at this weekend’s camp was exciting — working with them and getting to know them was a privilege!
In two days’ time, we saw shy young women transform from believing they had nothing to say to articulate, assertive leaders. By the end, watching them volunteer to stand up and explain their vision of communism and their reasons for fighting for it were inspirational.
This is just a glimpse of how communism transforms lives. If we can do this in three days, imagine what we will do when the working class has power.
★ ★ ★ ★  
Everyone was friendly and helpful. The event was very organized and the readings were interesting. I am looking forward to the next Communist School.
★ ★ ★ ★  
I was excited to come to this year’s Communist School because of my experience during the one we had last year. And indeed, I wasn’t disappointed. My happiness was on fleek [in the state of perfection] this weekend.
I was amazed at the level and depth of the conversations that took place among comrades of every age. The kids and high schoolers in particular blew me away with their ability to understand what’s happening around the world. The future of communism looks bright when we look at the younger generation. As usual, I was amazed at the collective nature of the school.
★ ★ ★ ★  
My favorite thing about this weekend was meeting new people and learning new things. This was a great experience for me and I learned a lot of new things. It really helped me see how bosses and companies are. To change the way things are, we are just going to have to take this really seriously. I feel like one day the company and bosses won’t be so mean and we will finally be able to live happily and peacefully.
★ ★ ★ ★  
This retreat was something amazing. I had a lot of fun and a grand time understanding how this world works. I had always said, “Who wants to go to school all day every day until 7 pm for 16 years. Then for the rest of their lives after school work till they die to keep food on the table to keep a house over their head to ‘survive’. That’s crappy. I don’t want to survive, I want to live.” But I never fully understood why things were the way they are until this school. And you know what, I’m happy I did it. People need to learn about what communism is and that it isn’t what the bosses make it seem. I was one of those people that thought,  “communism is bad.” But that is not what it is. Its focus is to further human lives, enjoyment, and further knowledge. The system we live in now where we all compete against each other instead of working together isn’t working for us. It’s just filling the greed of people who have more than enough.
★ ★ ★ ★