I’m an American Marxist-Leninist, so I know that it is materially possible for a privileged westerner to come around. But a few of us being able to unlearn the constant propaganda and overcome the horrific state of American education and the political climate isn’t enough.
The Overton window is so far to the right here in the United States that most don’t entertain the idea of a future beyond capitalism being possible or necessary. Even when Americans see this wretched system for what it is, they’d sooner turn to nihilism or accept whatever additional crumbs are thrown.
I know it’s important to maintain revolutionary optimism and always strive to be part of the solution, but it feels like an extra big battle to build a proper revolutionary left.
Do I still try to convince people and teach people? Yes
Do I have hope it will gain enough traction to prevent the oligarchy from killing us all? Not really. Conservatives fantasize openly about killing us, and liberals fantasize about the conservatives killing us. Anarchist and “anti-fascist” groups actively fight against us and help the fascists. People say half the younger generation has a favorable view of socialism.
So yeah, won’t stop trying but I really have no hope for it. America’s weapons may be aging and falling behind. China may be able to achieve a level where American weapons are of little threat, but those aging weapons will be plenty capable of killing civilians. The empire turning inwards, fast. Meanwhile even in left spaces we spend more time making it a purity contest then trying to just get people started on the basics.
Edit: there’s a half finished thought in here I finished in response to the comment below.
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Honestly that was a half finished statement I forgot to finish cause I got interrupted while typing this out. And then came back and forgot it was in there when I added the last paragraph. lol. What I meant to say was something a long the lines of “People say half the younger generation has a favorable view of socialism. But that’s 50% of like 20% of the population. Further more, many of those people are the kinds that think “The Nordic Model” is socialism or are the kind of people that go “well, I support a socialist approach but communism is evil” and such things.”
So, glad you mentioned that. Cause I never would have noticed that super out of place seeming statement. lol