Red Flag Newspaper
International Communist Workers Party
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SEATTLE —Cynicism took a hit last week in the plant. The racist murders at Charleston Mother Emanuel Church dominated our discussions in the factory buildings and at our friends’ homes. Once again, communism proved to be the best antidote to pessimism.
“I grew up in Detroit,” began a past union official, reader and distributor of Red Flag. “The cops shot my brother at a Black Panther rally and I was arrested at 14. But I think it [racism] is worse now.”
“My wife says I go overboard. I don’t.”
To a woman or man, everyone was disgusted with the evasions. “Crazy my ass,” spat out another machinist. He knew racism was the main culprit.
Racist ideology inevitably leads to racist murder. Just look at the racist cop killings.
“If we change the economic basics that drive racism, we can finally end racism - maybe,” offered another friend and distributor.
“Yeah, communist revolution could start the process. I know we can’t diminish it with capitalism, no matter how much blood is spilt,” admitted the ex-union official.
“You know,” he added as an afterthought, “a lot of the workers’ enemies will have to be killed.” The shop stewards lurking around beat a hasty retreat when they heard this.
The discussion shifted to the topics of violence and forgiveness. These two subjects came up throughout the week.
By this time, most were familiar with the history of Mother Emanuel. “The original parishioners (who died organizing slave rebellions) would be turning over in their graves,” commented a third Red Flag distributor. “Forgiveness has its place, but not here!
“You can never defeat the power structure with peaceful struggle. The new can’t come into being without struggle, violent struggle. And we’ll live to see it!
“It’s just a fact of life!
“The present church leaders--and I’m sorry to say--the established black leaders are not living up to the example set by Vesey. Obama too!
“Of course, I’m pissed at the racist who shot those people. I’m also pissed at the so-called leaders.”
This worker follows the news closely. He remarked on a crowd outside the church who shouted at a CNN reporter, “Why don’t you interview those that are angry?”
“I keep hearing the argument that violence won’t produce anything.”
“Oh, it can produce something: a communist revolution!” interjected a comrade. “Capitalism reinvents racism in more virulent forms to justify super-exploitation and division in the working class. When communism ends wages and profits, we can carry on the multi-racial anti-racist struggle to final victory.”
“Speaking of divisions, the British and other imperialists divided up blacks in Africa to rule,” added a worker and her husband as we enjoyed a delicious lunch the next day. “They told the light-skinned they were better than the darker- skinned. Then they told the darker-skinned the light-skinned think you are garbage. The fight against racism is international.”
After these debates, our friends took drafts of the lead article for the Party’s forthcoming pamphlet “Only Communism Will End Racism.” Many promised to help us improve it. Some started writing comments right then and there. Three have already written at least a paragraph with their suggestions.
“Hi, just read the pamphlet,” wrote one reader. “Overall excellent, especially the section on how things will be under communism. I do feel however maybe the explanation of how racism destroys all workers could be more detailed ... how white workers’ lives are destroyed by capitalism ... and more about class.”
She ended her comments with particular edits for other sections.
These are only a small sample of workers’ ideas. The wisdom of the masses inspired by communism gives us hope and confidence.
LOS ANGELES —“The march scheduled for June 29 was cancelled,” said a janitor.
“What a shame! It would have been another good opportunity to massively take communist ideas to the janitors,” replied a comrade of ICWP (International Communist Workers’ Party). “Over 1400 janitors marched on June 18 and we distributed almost 500 Red Flags.”
“Yes, I saw. The response was very good. I heard several favorable comments,” responded the janitor.
“Many were amazed when we said that the newspaper is written by workers like you and me and not by professional journalists. Why was the march canceled?”
“Because BOMA, the US Building Owners’ and Managers’ Association, canceled their meeting.”
“What did that have to do with the janitors?”
“Our union contract will expire next year. BOMA is not happy with the cleaning companies who hire us. They want to know why they charge different rates per janitor depending on the area we work in. In area 1, they charge $85, in area 2. $70, and in area 3, $45. BOMA wants to pay the companies $45 per janitor everywhere.”
“This is the equality that the capitalists brag about.”
“Yes, they want to super-exploit us all equally. Now the companies pay us $15/hour in area 1, $13 in area 2, and $9.75 in area 3. The janitors in area 3 are the most humiliated and exploited. They have no sick days or time off for mourning and very limited health insurance. They have to clean 100,000 square feet per janitor per shift. In area 1, most only clean 50,000 square feet. But in the Wells Fargo building downtown—where there is a union leader—they have to clean 95,000 square feet.”
“And what do you all want?”
“We want them to pay all of us the same, but paying us what they pay to those in area 1, and we want a wage increase and better benefits.”
“Do you think the union will fight for this?”
“Well, I’ve already told you that the union is in favor of the companies. But the union is us, the members. If we don’t do anything, the companies will get away with whatever they want.”
“We communists always emphasize that the trade-union struggle won’t get us anywhere. It is a constant struggle and the bosses always end up winning because we’re still being exploited. Only communist revolution can end wage slavery. Then we won’t be anyone’s servants. Almost everybody has two hands. We can clean up our own messes.”
“I agree. Sometimes we make mistakes along the way, but sometimes the way teaches us how to correct ourselves.”
“Yes, practice is a good teacher. The janitors can play an important role in organizing communist revolution. The internal distribution of Red Flag at work is crucial.”
“I understand. I distribute seven where I work. Juan distributes ten. Juan needs to meet with us. He can help a lot to recruit more people.”
“Good. Let’s continue to struggle with him to join us more seriously. We made more contacts in the march and we’ll follow up with them.”
“They can also go to the Staples Center to distribute Red Flag. About 100 janitors work there. That place is one of the most exploitive. The best time is between 10 and 11 pm.”
“Thank you. We will make plans to go there and to the next march with the new Red Flag.”
March 19 – Tens of thousands of people joined rallies and marches in big cities and small towns across Australia, like the one above in Perth, for “Close the Gap” day. They focused attention on the racism that creates lower life expectancy, fewer jobs, and employment possibilities, and worse schools for Aboriginal people. The day of action targeted a plan to evict residents from 150 or more Indigenous communities. We hope that Red Flag readers with friends in Australia will get this issue of the paper to them! See letter here