The Commune proved that workers can govern and organize society according to the masses’ needs, not capitalists’ interests. From March 18 to May 28, workers erected barricades and bravely defended their new popular power.
The Versailles government responded with brutal repression that left thousands of Communards murdered, imprisoned, or exiled. But it failed to destroy their historic legacy. The Commune taught a powerful lesson to our International Communist Workers’ Party and the entire international communist movement: the working class must organize, fight, and take state power to end capitalist exploitation and advance toward a truly communist society. The Paris Commune continues to inspire the struggle of workers around the world.
To read more see Paris Commune of 1871
Communism, No Less here ♦ Obstacles and Contradictions here ♦ Need Armed Struggle here ♦
Letter: New ICWP Member Says: “Communism and No Less!”
A child of empire here in the United States, I was able to believe the anesthetizing rallying cries of reform for many years, even though I was raised by southern working-class parents who I saw struggling. The US mythology told me that capitalism was a gift, and that any inequality it created could be ironed out through peaceful protest and democratic reforms.
However, with every passing year that story became harder to believe. I found and loved communist theory, but I continued to hope for socialist leaders to fix things. The last burst of reformist energy fizzled out in me when I saw United States openly fund the livestreamed genocide of Palestinians. This act of evil, despite the mass protests of their constituents, showed me that the reformists were never going to prioritize the people’s interests if it conflicts with the interests of capital.
I knew I was a communist, but I was without a party. I looked around and thought, “There’s no communist party I can vote for in the USA.” So electoral politics faded to a background obligation. My work focused on my interests and strengths: building community, civil rights activism, and distributing resources through mutual aid. I connected to neighbors, socialists, and anarchists, and we collaborated where we could.
For my profession, I am a healer. But what is the point of mental health under this kind of oppression? It is no measure of a well mind to be well-adjusted to the alienation and exploitation created by capitalism. I can do my work with patients, but to provide lasting healing I have to commit to dismantling the systems that cause them trauma, damage their dignity, and make them want to kill themselves.
While living with these contradictions, I ran into an ICWP member at a church function. They handed me a copy of Red Flag, and I liked the articles. Through coming to their dinners and discussions, I realized I did not have to be a lone communist, watching the fascist state escalate its violent tactics as the years grind along. There is a party for me, and it has no nation or borders.
I can’t keep just providing mutual aid and patching people up from the ills of capitalism. I need connection to the other workers of the world and support from my communist elders, so that I can start building power with my comrades for something bigger. I can say with my full chest, “Communism and no less.” I do not have to settle for the crumbs offered by liberal capitalists’ reformist slogans– None of us do.
I’m glad to have found you here, comrades, and thank you so much to the elders who have welcomed me. Now let’s build power together, in the written word and in the streets. I know I am not the only isolated young communist yearning for party. We just need a chance to connect in the struggle.
—New Comrade in Los Angeles (USA)
Letter: Obstacles and Contradictions
I recently attended an inspiring international conference. The discussions were valuable, but I noticed problems in how dialectical materialism was being applied.
The first concerns the word “contradiction.” Several speakers described trying to get someone to do something, say, attend meetings. They said we must understand that person’s “contradictions.” At first this seemed odd. It became clear they really meant understanding the obstacles preventing attendance—what is holding the person back.
But contradictions are not obstacles. In dialectics, a contradiction consists of two aspects in struggle. Each side limits and shapes the other. It is inaccurate to treat contradiction as a barrier that must be removed.
Understanding someone’s internal contradictions is essential if we want to help them move forward. However, in general we do not completely eliminate contradictions, at least not right away. For example, it will take generations before the contradiction between workers and bosses completely disappears. In the meantime, we weaken the aspect we oppose and strengthen the aspect we support.
What I heard at the conference, however, leaned heavily toward weakening the “negative” side. This produced an almost entirely defensive approach.
Consider a comrade who skips meetings because they fear judgment from more experienced members. One response is to reduce that fear by reassuring them that others are not judging them. That may help.
But there is also a positive approach. We can ask why this comrade wanted to attend in the first place. What motivates them?
Suppose they feel strongly about sexism. We could ensure that sexism is meaningfully addressed in upcoming meetings and let them know their concerns will be taken seriously. Their commitment to fighting sexism may strengthen their confidence and outweigh their fear. By reinforcing the positive aspect of the contradiction, we help shift the balance internally rather than merely trying to suppress the negative side.
There is also the question of materialism. One speaker suggested that we win people to communism simply by talking to them.
For a small number of people, especially those shaped by intense struggle, that may be enough. But for most, words alone are insufficient. People want to see practice. They want to know whether we live up to what we say. Materialism means recognizing that action—shared, concrete activity—carries decisive weight.
Fortunately, there were several discussions about collective actions, for example about comrade Soso organizing her friends to fight for a math teacher. Of course we don’t fight for reforms, but hiring a math teacher hardly counts as reforming the system!
Beyond workplace struggles, we can organize other collective efforts—such as a chorus, a picket squad, or a street theater group. Shared activity builds trust, confidence, and political understanding. Through such experiences, people see in practice what the International Communist Workers’ Party stands for.
If we apply dialectical materialism concretely—treating contradictions properly and grounding our work in collective practice—we strengthen both our theory and our organizing.
—Comrade in Canada
Letter: We Need Armed Struggle for Communist Revolution
This letter adds to the article in RFBR about Bad Bunny’s halftime show at the US Superbowl. As the article showed, many people loved it and saw it as countering the racist and imperialist attacks by the US government.
But the liberal US imperialists who are desperately fighting for their empire also support and promote the vision of people of all skin tones dancing together to great lively music. That says “God bless America” means the entire continent and all its peoples.
Unlike those who yearn for a world without racism, sexism, genocide and borders, these imperialist rulers need a multi racial army to fight for them. They think America—all of it—should belong to them. They want youth of all races to loyally fight and slave for them–with that vision of unity—especially unity with them. They want us to accept wage slavery as the only alternative.
For example, Alexandra Ocasio Cortez is considering running for President of the USA. A Latina Social Democratic politician who supports US imperialism, wage slavery and capitalism. Who promises “healthcare for all” while the US is preparing global war, its economy is in sharp decline, the US Dollar is losing value and unemployment is growing.
These liberal social democrats support capitalism and imperialism. They want to trick us into supporting it. Their capitalist sponsors think more government control is needed for war preparation and for war itself. They support capitalist wage slavery of immigrants and all workers. They condemn the “excesses” of ICE but not borders. They will unite with the open fascists to attack the revolutionary masses.
Those who celebrated Bad Bunny’s joyful music should ask themselves why he didn’t use his huge opportunity to call for food and oil for Cuba, to end the genocide in Gaza, to halt the attack on Iran. Too “risky”? Bad Bunny has over $40 million and multiple deals with clothing companies. Artists and all of us have a responsibility to fight to end racism, capitalism and imperialism, not to just dance together!
We need armed struggle for a communist revolution to end all imperialist wars, genocide, racism and exploitation. Let’s build ICWP everywhere to fight for a communist world without any borders, bosses or imperialists. One international working class, one struggle!
A Comrade
Please send your letters, responses, and suggestions to contact@icwpredflag.org