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>From a quick perspective, things are looking pretty dismal in the United >States at this point for social justice -- and obviously don't bode well for >the foreseeable future. Corporate capitalism and the Republicans are easy -- >and generally appropriate things for us to blame. But there are other >dimensions that I, at least, see. For months, Obama personally and at least >much of his retinue, have been given a "pass" by much of the liberal >contingent and almost all of Labor -- and also by that significant portion of >what exists of the American Left which has, in position, lost its "point role" >and become almost indistinguishable from often cloistered liberalism. [Even at >this point, some of that may remain.] Labor has poured many millions and >millions indeed into this election -- with its hopes now going up in smoke. >In fairness, one can also say that flaming and strident leftist rhetoric, >often grandiose in pretentions, and sometimes for the sake of that alone, is >no substitute for reasoned thinking -- and certainly not for systematic and >effective grassroots organizing. Repeating what I wrote yesterday in my note to Jyri of Finland: "In the longer run, I remain optimistic. Ultimately, some sort of "third party" effort has to come -- and I think it will. To be meaningful, it'll have to have some genuinely socialist bones, a strong democratic ethos, and, in that context, a strong grounding on non-relativistic civil liberties principles. Some of this could start taking meaningful shape in the near future -- but I wouldn't expect a significant emergence of that until after what will very likely be, as many of us see it, a dismal 2012 election." It's an old, life-long song from me but, After Tomorrow, what's called for is genuine grassroots organizing in every conceivable quarter that offers an iota of potential -- and around every single social justice issue of concern. That's Genesis and the most foundational dimension of all. That can certainly include appropriate radical vision but not at the expense of porkchop needs. Labor could play an extremely helpful role if, say, it shifted much of its political action monies into really "organizing the unorganized" -- and the massive pool of unemployed as well. In my opinion at least, students, especially at the higher education level, remain a very powerful potential resource. The War issues cry out with urgency. There are a host of other realistic possibilities. A few good individuals at the appropriate place and time can often play a significantly positive role. But this is going to take, in addition to fast-flaring and short lived pitchy-pine fires, strong and consistent commitment -- long running oak wood burning. Hunter Gray [UAW] HUNTER GRAY [HUNTER BEAR/JOHN R SALTER JR] Mi'kmaq /St. Francis Abenaki/St. Regis Mohawk Protected by Na´shdo´i´ba´i´ and Ohkwari' Our Hunterbear website is now more than ten years old. Check out http://hunterbear.org/directory.htm See Outlaw Trail: The Native as Organizer: http://hunterbear.org/outlaw_trail1.htm [Included in Visions & Voices: Native American Activism [2009] And check out Elder Recognition Award: http://www.hunterbear.org/elder_recognition_award_for_2005.htm See our extensive course on activist Community Organizing -- often with new material: http://hunterbear.org/my_combined_community_organizing.htm ________________________________________________ Send list submissions to: [email protected] Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
