No Communist Manifesto

[skeptical]

I'll keep this short.

The communist manifesto, while enlightening and entertaining in a college classroom setting, is simply NOT appropriate to be a part of the movement's official education package. It sends the wrong message to the media (which matters if we want to get anything done, whether we like it or not), it reeks of infiltration and assimilation to old left-wing professional activists that don't have the 99% in their best interests, it alienates SO many would-be partners/members, it would just further confuse our goals, and there are literally hundreds of subjects/books that are more useful to teach.

For example, books about:
Civil disobedience
MLK Jr.
Ghandi
The American revolution
The Jefferson v. Hamilton fight
The enlightenment
Etc.

[PortlandSean]

I feel that excluding having a teach-in of the communist manifesto based on sending the "wrong message" to the media, whatever that means, and because of potential alienation to peoples' knee jerk reactions to anti-communist propaganda, is foolish. The point of a teach-in is education, not necessarily advocacy...

[khawk]

i absolutely disagree. 

[skeptical]

The "wrong message" is that our movement has be co-opted by people who are trying to push THEIR beliefs rather than supporting ours.

Message is important.

If you think it doesn't alienate people, then ask a liberatarian. Ask a republican. Non partisan means not alienating these people.

Why not teach something else? Why that? What is the purpose? Who is teaching it and what are their motives?

[l1legend]

Free Speech. Even if you don't agree with their views you cannot exclude them. 

[skeptical]

No one is saying that NO ONE can read it, or express themselves, only that it doesn't correctly exhibit the movement in it's entirety, therefore alienating many that would be a part of it.

It's about optics.

[kilroy]

I would like to suggest that if the idea is to discuss the formation of movements, the SDS Prot Huron 1962 Port Huron Statement might be a great thing to have as part of your educational series. It is not only a really good example of a "what we see as the problem," and "what we propose as a solution" format, but it also addresses many issues that are still important and part of the struggle in this country. 

 

Maybe of equal importance is that that group was originally called "a Communist front," as have so many organizations and people in this country, it is the boogie man of all boogie men. 

 

I would suggest that at this point, when the public is beginning to believe that occupy is something they can believe in and support, bringing the Manifesto in would be a little self-defeating.  it isn't about freedom of speech or thought, or of conforming to "public opinion," but rather about the overall goals of the occupy movement.  

 

Just suggestions,   

Peace and Love.

[nameredacted]

While I do not agree with the tenants of Communism and the teachings of Marx, I cannot espouse enough that if someone wants to talk about it, let them talk about it. I like my capitalism, being as it were because I've been trying to think of a new form of economics based on an old one, it can't hurt to educate people on various forms of economic policy if only to give them better understanding of how the systems differ. One man's capital can be interpreted in many ways; learning about those subtle differences can only help us determine exactly what is the best route to take to enact resounding change.

 

We learn from each other as we learn ourselves; to squelch the voice of one is to demand the silence of others. Let 'em speak. I don't agree with them, but at least I can learn from them.

[skeptical]

I agree wholeheartedly that people can talk about whatever they like.

The issue, though, is that THE OCCUPY CHI movement can be seen to endorse it.

It's not a good message to send. I am dismayed by how often I have to remind people that this movement is about the 99%, not about their narrow political view, or utopian neverland.

Study the book, espouse it. I don't care. The movement shouldn't be a part of it though.

[temp2290]

I would say that the biggest utopian premise is the ideal of social democracy.  The media will characterize you however it sees fit.