August 15, 2022 A Guide to This Issue of Revolution What You Need to Know and Engage This Week About the World and Revolution |
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Once Again: The Revolution We Need… The Leadership We Have |
This week we again cover a society in which reactionary forces clash, the attacks on the people intensify, and the need for revolution stands out all the more starkly. We cover the sharply escalating battle between the Republi-fascists and their ruling class rivals, grouped around the Democratic Party. We cover the extremely dangerous contention between the U.S. and China over which empire will dominate and plunder the rest of the planet—the one arena right now in which the fascist forces find unity with their “democratic” rivals. We cover the struggle being waged by Rise Up 4 Abortion Rights (see here and here), in the wake of the overturning of the right to abortion. We cover as well the intense and intensifying oppression of Black people—and the dead end of reforms (see here and here). We cover what is going on around the world, and especially people’s struggle to break all oppressive chains—which includes this week important struggles against the reactionary Islamic fundamentalist regime in Iran and, relatedly, a statement from the editors on the reactionary murderous attack against the author Salman Rushdie, which was applauded by that regime. All these developments are extremely important—they illustrate the stresses on the system, the ways in which the old forms of ruling are under the most acute strain in over a century, with the society split in half and many openly talking of civil war. Many of these developments portend real and serious danger, for people here and around the world—and unfortunately that is right now by far the bigger trend. Moreover, this danger is accelerating—the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade is one deadly harbinger of a still larger and more pervasive horror in store. |
For none of these problems, nor the larger crisis of which they are a part, can be dealt with short of a complete change in systems—an overturning of the capitalist-imperialist system that has brought us to this pass and the institution of a socialist system… one serving as a “base area” for revolution all over the world… one on the road to a communist society, a world community without exploitation, oppression, antagonistic conflicts, and the me-against-all ideas that grow out of and further reinforce the horror. |
But revolution does not mean just getting together with a few people and doing “mutual aid” and calling it revolution. Revolution does not mean electing someone who functions within the same system (see our article on Charlottesville for what happens to even the most “well-meaning” of such “reformers”). Revolution does not mean having a demonstration (though demonstrations can be important as part of a larger process). |
No. Revolution requires a force of millions, well-organized and well-led, and able to meet and defeat the forces of violent repression serving the old order. Revolution means having an orientation and a plan for what comes next and a way to prevent the betrayal of the revolution. Revolution requires science that enables people to understand society, to understand the constantly evolving challenges that it poses, and to work together collectively to solve those problems. And it requires leadership—people with the keenest understanding of that science, of how to apply it, and how to bring forward others to wield it and contribute to the whole process. |
We need to urgently change the situation where not nearly enough people know about this revolution and are with it. We need to get this revolution, and its leadership, known everywhere. We need to challenge and seriously struggle with people right around us, and all over the country, to do something that, yes, requires real heart and will make a positive difference for real—become part of this revolution, and follow this revolutionary leadership. We need to organize more and more people into the ranks of the revolution. |
But over the past few months, this leadership—Bob Avakian--has been under intense attack—along with Rise Up 4 Abortion Rights, the revcoms, and Sunsara Taylor, a follower of BA who has been active in initiating and helping to lead Rise Up. This week we are again featuring letters and statements from readers responding to those attacks. The new letters this week add powerful testimony to what has gone before, especially around BA’s leadership. |
This week we’re asking you to do more than just read those letters. We’re asking you to be part of figuring out how to use these to carry out the task called for above in the "Declaration and Call." If these letters move you, or if you have been following BA, or if you are moved by the grossly distorted and unfair character of these attacks to want to see this voice not only be defended but be heard—we have a challenge. Help us to figure out the best way to get these letters out into the bloodstream of society. Send us your thinking on what should be done to popularize these testimonials that show people from so many different backgrounds and perspectives talking about what it means to have BA and his leadership, and why it’s so important to defend him (email revolution.reports@yahoo.com). |
Both of these tasks above are not things unto themselves—they are important parts of carrying out the much larger strategy outlined in Something Terrible, OR Something Truly Emancipating. They are fighting for a different future. To go back to the beginning and the articles on what is happening in the world today: the time is getting short; the danger is great, but within that also lies the potential; but people must know about this analysis and this leadership for the revolution to build its forces and have a real chance of realizing that potential. Be part of that. See the table of contents for other important articles in this issue. |
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| “...we have two choices: either, live with all this — and condemn future generations to the same, or worse, if they have a future at all — or, make revolution!”—Bob Avakian |
A weekly YouTube show about ACTUAL revolution, based on Bob Avakian’s new communism |
What Is the Revolution Club? Who Should Check Out the Revolution Club, Run with It and Join? What Does It Mean To Join? And How Do I Get Started? What do I do first? Find out more about Revolution Club » |
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WWW.REVCOM.US/REVOLUTION NEWSPAPER brings alive a scientific analysis of major events in society and the world—why they are happening, how different events and developments relate to each other, how all this relates to the system we live under, where people's interests lie in relation to all this, how revolution is in fact the solution to all this and what the goals of that revolution are, how different viewpoints and programs relate, positively or negatively, to the revolution that is needed, and how people can move, and are moving, to build toward that revolution. Revcom.us/Revolution is the guide, the pivot, the crucial tool in drawing forward, orienting, training, and organizing thousands, and influencing millions—fighting the power, and transforming the people, for revolution—hastening and preparing for the time when we can go for the whole thing, with a real chance to win. Subscribe to revcom.us | Donate to/Sustain revcom.us | Send your correspondence to revolution.reports@yahoo.com |
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