I have been part of the organisation since its early stages. I first joined a national-in-form collective, that became a multi-national organization, that became the LRS. I view the current discussions on the direction for the organization as part of an ongoing process of defining and re-defining, of shaping and re-shaping, of focusing and re-focusing the revolutionary work of a revolutionary organization.
The questions that confront us today are the challenges put to us by the 1990’s. We have entered a new decade and are on the brink on a new millennium.
We have collectively engaged in social practice for 20+ years. I recently asked some folks who have been at this a lot longer than we have if they knew of any guidelines or sign posts that would help us avoid pitfalls in our immediate future. They modestly reminded me that each period had to be played out according to its own particularities.
I perceive the challenge facing us revolutionaries in the 1990’s is one of offering the masses a viable and winnable alternative to Capitalism, and alternative which can overtake the current rightward motion. I believe this to be our challenge because at this juncture in history, Communism as it has been practice in the world, no longer provides a creditable alternative to Capitalism.
The progressive movement has always had its ups and clowns, has always been targeted and tarnished, has had to live with correct and incorrect practices, but as long as Communism was supported by the masses and practiced in the world, it could be considered a real life alternative to Capitalism.
What has happened in Eastern Europe and China is unfortunate. I am confident that as the dust settles, we along with revolutionaries the world over, will be able to sum up the events of the late 1980’s and move forward. Nevertheless, the impact of these events on the masses is that vision of a Communist society, as the world has come to know it, no longer provides a vision of a society behind which they can rally and unite.
We have just waged a campaign to elect the first African American Mayor of New York City. We ran a good campaign, made a difference, and integrated ourselves with the masses. Some of the lessons I learned are:
– that the majority of people, no matter what their situation in life, will work hard and sacrifice for a vision of an equitable, just and democratic society
– the majority of the people want multi-national unity and are inspired by struggles where there is multinational support and respect for each other
– the majority of people strive to be empowered
As I see it, our task is to shape these dreams and aspirations and to organize, mobilize and lead the mass movements so that our shared vision of a fair and equitable society can be realized.
I believe that the difference between the LRS and other left groups is that we have a vitality, a liveliness, and energy that comes from our connection to the mass movement. We always recognized that our first responsibility is to the masses of people. We have been on the front lines in the struggles of the national minorities for democracy and empowerment. I believe that the position adopted by the Secretariat allows us the most ability to continue in this tradition.
We cannot lead our lives looking backward, and the future is full of uncertainties. As revolutionaries, we have no choice but to go forward with revolutionary hope and optimism. I believe that we can fashion a better world in birth, one which will encompass all of the dreams and aspirations, and enjoy all of the confidences of the majority of people.