"Be what? Know what? Do what?" a couple of folks have asked. We're glad they asked that question. BE: an example. This is paramount. When one joins the CPUSA, she is accepting the Party's program and the Party's concept of theory and practice, Marxism-Leninism. She also then becomes the face of the Party for everyone who knows her. So without making it sound too much like the Brownies, a Communist then becomes responsible to be reliable, honest, credible, and fair in her dealings with others. We do have rules that are unwaiverable. We are not permitted to engage in racist, sexist, homophobic, or xenophobic activities. We do not "rat" on fellow workers, or become police informers. We do not subvert our allies or their organizations. We stay away from "far-left" organizations that behave as provocateurs, or who refuse to connect with practical working class realities, and thereby discredit our ideology. Also, BE patient. This organizing won't happen overnight, and the revolution is a long term project. KNOW: The lifelong commitment of every Communist is to increase understanding. The first responsibility of any Communist is to thoroughly understand the basic works of Marx, Engels, and Lenin, and to review as much commentary on their work as possible, both favorable and unfavorable. We are obligated to stay abreast of current events, and to increase our understanding of the specific dynamics of the class struggle today. We are encouraged to be Renaissance people, with a broad scope of interests and an inclination to connect those interests to the larger framework of our understanding. DO: Work within activities that have potential to mobilize the working class. We write, speak, discuss, help out, support, and encourage. We take sides with and fight for working and poor people. We can be found working in unions, in non-profits, in community organizations, peace groups, wherever there is an opportunity to increase the consciousness of the people. Elevated consciousness is the only way to open the path to the socialist reorganization of our society. |
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