Comrade:Wapiti

8 editsJoined 15 November 2022

1. I found ProleWiki through discussions on Lemmygrad and on Discord.

2. I consider myself a Marxist-Leninist. I was radicalized initially through experiences in my community and in the country where I live (the USA) more broadly. In my local area, systemic problems such as forced homelessness, gentrification, racially motivated hate crimes, police brutality, exorbitant rents, and others led me to develop a more critical perspective against capitalism, imperialism, and the ruling class and state that uphold them. I began to research online, initially stumbling upon the lectures of Richard Wolff and Michael Parenti and gradually reading more deeply into Marxist-Leninist theory. I have since joined my local PSL chapter and participated in strikes and other actions.

3. I have read the principles. I agree with most of them completely. However, I would like some more clarity on the support for the Russian Federation section. I understand the necessity of opposing NATO imperialism, and I agree that some critical support for reactionary governments such as the one in Russia may be necessary for the survival of socialism around the globe. I am uncomfortable with lending too much support, though.

4. China is a socialist country governed by a Marxist-Leninist party according to Marxist-Leninist principles. The working people of China, through the Communist Party, possess all of the political power in China and have established control over the commanding heights of China's economy, making China a socialist country. I support the CPC, and I think that its achievements in repelling the Japanese imperialists and KMT compradors, defending Korea from American aggression, and vastly improving the life expectancy, food security, education, medical care, and quality of life for 1.4 billion people are nothing short of extraordinary.

5. Joseph Stalin was a monumental and successful, if flawed, leader. Stalin's leadership, continuing Lenin's legacy, managed to rapidly industrialize the USSR and build up its economy and agriculture, enabling the USSR to improve its people's quality of life, to defend itself from fascist aggression, and liberate half of Europe. Stalin's theoretical achivements were synthesizing Marxism-Leninism and putting its principles into successful practice. While I don't agree with some of Stalin's policies, overall I appreciate his historical role in building up the USSR and defeating Nazism.

6. Gender describes the social norms, roles, and perceptions around masculinity and femininity. Gender isn't a binary, instead it has many dimensions. It's not static either, but changes as history and society change. Marxists have a duty to support the LGBT community in its struggle for liberation. We must oppose discrimination, violence, and social stigma against LGBT people.