Hello everynyan, we’re studying Marxism-Leninism. Here is a link to the list

This week we’re reading:

  1. Why Socialism? - A. Einstein (1949)
    Webpage | Audiobook [~10 min / 22 min]

  2. Why Marxism? - R. Day (2020)
    Webpage | Audiobook [~15 min / 21 min]

  3. Why do we Have to Study Theory? - Ho Chi Minh (1957)
    Webpage | Audio book [~10 min / 11 min]

  4. General Rules for Independent Study - N. Krupskaya (1934)
    Webpage [~5 min]

  5. “Tankies” - N. Frome (2020)
    Webpage | Audiobook [~5 min / 11 min]

Next week we will be watching 6. US Interventionism, the Third World, and the USSR - M. Parenti (1986)

Webpage Transcription of Speech | Original Speech [~1 hr / 1 hr 33 min]

  • LeylaLove [she/her, love/loves]@hexbear.netEnglish
    8·
    2 days ago

    Hello! I’ve been procrastinating, so I’ve started reading through these with my girlfriend. I’ve read a lot of theory, however she has only ever read the Communist Manifesto. When we met, she had a distaste of people who called themselves leftists because they’re the type of people I’d call vibes based leftists. No real information or thought behind them, just taking their emotions and considering them objective fact instead of digging any deeper. This reading list will be her first exposure to theory

    We read the Einstein piece last night, while it was suited to getting me into socialism a decade ago, it was not great for my girlfriend. I am the type to want scientific, more logic based arguments like Einstein’s, while I feel like she’s going to be more moved by the more emotionally charged arguments. She liked Why Socialism, but I’m really excited for her and I to read Roderic Day together because I think she’ll like that a lot more

      • LeylaLove [she/her, love/loves]@hexbear.netEnglish
        5·
        2 days ago

        I’ve definitely mentioned Parenti in passing to her, she’s at the point where she understands a lot of what she knows about the world/leftism is tainted by capitalist propaganda, but doesn’t really understand what is western propaganda and what’s the truth about these socialist nations.

        I often tell her that her and I dislike Stalin for very different reasons, because she has standard western anti-stalinism. I’ve always been slow pushing this issue because of how evil westerners believe Stalin was, but I have been challenging her on it lightly our whole relationship. I also told her about the 4 pest campaign and the context of Mao’s leadership. Pretty much setting up the idea that these people can be criticized and I don’t necessarily expect her to agree with everything they say, but letting her know that what Western propaganda says about them simply isn’t true.

        I even explained some context behind North Korea she seemed receptive to. Pointing out that after the Korean war, they had practically suffered an apocalypse set on by America, then were cut off to the rest of the world by America. Pretty much told her the one thing that’s true from reading their state media is they definitely do hate America, but with the history that’s there can you even blame them? She also understands that these smaller countries fighting for their own sovereignty need nukes, so she isn’t inherently against North Korea having a nuclear program even with knowing very little about their society except for what the West has told them.