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I used to be in the IWW and saw how the "trainings" went there. I've also seen it elsewhere. The problem with this entire approach is that it is essentially apolitical. Being a socialist organizer is a lifelong learning process. It means, first of all, being grounded in Marxist principles - not "principles" in the moral sense. but principles similar to how they physical sciences work, but in this case how the history of human society works. For instance, having an understanding of the meaning of the tendency of the rate of profit to fall, or an understanding of the principle that the working class can only advance through its own organizations. In other words, what tends to work and what doesn't. But this is only the start, the foundation. The world moves on, and socialists need to not only keep abreast of world events but to see beneath the surface and understand how the principles of Marxism apply - not in the abstract but concretely. It also means a continual dialog with workers - not just white, middle-class rooted Berniecrats, but wider layers of workers. Especially the most oppressed. But what is this "training" all about? As we know, many DSA members are new to socialism and many of the leaders are very connected with the liberal (vs. socialist) philosophy of working in and through a capitalist party - the Democratic Party. This might sound harsh, but what the training is all about is avoiding discussing this and other thorny issues while pretending to educate the members. As one defense <https://medium.com/@cl740/a-response-regarding-the-national-training-program-b072dc081d37> of this "training" model makes clear, what the training is all about is "learning the skills", not learning about and discussing the world situation, the class struggle, politics in the United States, etc. And the author (who on Facebook has made clear his hostility to questioning the strategy of working through the Democratic Party) makes clear his politics. He writes: "East Bay DSA has conducted an impressive canvass in a supporting role for the Healthy CA campaign, spearheaded by the California Nurses. If not for Speaker Rendon, it’s entirely possible the legislation would have been passed into law: no mean feat." This statement really shows the massive political confusion of the leadership of DSA (to be charitable about it). No, Speaker Rendon was not some accidental figure. As Karen Bernal, chair of the California Democratic Progressive Caucus, said <https://oaklandsocialist.com/2017/07/06/us-health-care-single-payer-or-socialized-medicine/>, it was never intended for this bill to pass. It was intended to kill the bill in committee all along. In fact, the Democrats have proven that they have no intention of passing a single payer bill either at the state or the national level. They are just using this issue to win elections and if they regain a majority in congress and the White House, they will make sure that single payer does not pass. Almost pass, maybe, but not quite. How does this relate to the issue of "training"? It shows that "training" is a substitute for real political education and debate. It's a means of avoiding political debate with ersatz "learning". John Reimann -- "No one is going to give you the education you need to overthrow them." Assata Shakur Check out:https:http://oaklandsocialist.com also on Facebook _________________________________________________________ Full posting guidelines at: http://www.marxmail.org/sub.htm Set your options at: http://lists.csbs.utah.edu/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
