LOS ANGELES (USA), July 14 — “Fascism is here. ICE is terrorizing workers on our streets. When our brothers and sisters are attacked, this is when we fight harder to raise working class consciousness with communist politics.” These were in the opening remarks at a conference on developing communist leadership. It was primarily organized and led by younger comrades. The conference centered around a commitment to building this leadership now and in the future. And recognizing that it’s not just a position, it’s a practice.
The conference started with video greetings from a younger woman maquila worker comrade in El Salvador and young female student comrades in South Africa. It proceeded with an opening speech that highlighted the brave response of the masses against the reign of terror of ICE raids as well as the necessity of communist revolution and thus communist leadership.
The speech noted that contradictions reign in the material world and in the world of ideas. They are the source of all movement.
Two groups then discussed our efforts to build the party. In one, questions like How do we build leadership in the party? What does it take to be a leader in ICWP? How do we recruit and build the party in fascist times in the US? helped lead the conversation.
One of the comrades leading one group shared how it is difficult to blend personal life, work life, and political work.
“I love talking to people about communism,” he continued.
“I often feel isolated, and to be honest I value my alone time. If I dedicate time to a political contact, I know I must commit more of my personal time to building the party.”
The group identified such behavior as one that many workers have in a capitalist system. Isolationism is anti-social capitalist behavior. This comrade’s contradiction was identified. He agreed to struggle against capitalist behavior. The key is to build communist behaviors. What an exquisite contradiction for a comrade who says he has many friends in all aspects of his life! For him, building the party means developing political relationships.
Another comrade said that the workshop was communism in action. Experienced and inexperienced alike were there to listen and learn. And at the same time, they were also there to teach. Everyone expressed their struggles and motivations freely without fear of judgment.
Communist leaders aren’t exceptional beings. Capitalism pushes the idea that leaders are different from the rest, creatures who are charismatic, eloquent, brilliant, and unwaveringly passionate. Like with many of capitalism’s tactics, these ideas just serve to divide us. By indoctrinating us with these unattainable characteristics of leadership, we end up believing that we cannot be communist leaders, which is exactly what capitalism wants.
Communist leadership takes many forms. There are many types of communist leaders. Leadership can be displayed in all sorts of ways. “For me, this makes leadership less overwhelming. I don’t have to be perfect to be a leader. It means taking action. Through those actions all of us can grow and become better communist leaders,” a comrade stated.
In the second group, a younger comrade said that a central question was: “How do we stimulate and inspire new communist leadership?” A simple yet powerful answer emerged: “Carry Red Flag with you wherever you go. Whether it’s on the job, at school, or in at your neighborhood grocery store, the work of building connections and opening political conversations must happen everywhere. Leadership begins with presence—being out in the world, talking to people, and planting seeds.”
We need to make time. Learning and growing as communist leaders requires commitment and consistency. Carving out space in our schedules to study, ask questions, and meetings are all essential.
Everyone wants a communist future. Time pressures, emotional stress, and uncertainty can hold us back. Acknowledging these challenges is an important step toward overcoming them. We’re not looking for leaders who have all the answers. We’re building a community that supports and struggles with one another through communist relations.
Younger members can lead by creating more room for initiative and older comrades stepping back with confidence. Communist leadership doesn’t always start with a megaphone. It can begin with listening, offering support, and asking questions.
When we reflect on what’s missing in our own communist leadership, the word “commitment” comes up. Renewing our commitment to each other, to the party’s communist work, and to the bigger vision of a communist world is what will carry us forward.
