Principles of Unity of the May 19th Communist Organization

18 Pages·1.688 MB·English

by  May 19th Communist Organization

t: TV
i
25t
' |
; ,
i
/
>
f'
n \
a ' /
}
*; I
.) V Principles of Unity
.
L I
;*1
1;
of the
*
May 19th Communist Organization
< *
i
I
COMMUNIST ORGANIZATION
NATIONAL OFFICE
P.O. Box 613 l
Van Brunt Station
Brooklyn, NY 11215
i
What We Believe
May 19th is the birthdate of Ho Chi Minh and of El
Hajj Malik Shabazz/Malcolm X. We commemorate them
as leaders of their nations’ struggles for land, in¬
dependence and socialism. They continue to provide
leadership in the worldwide struggle against imperialism,
colonialism and neo-colonialism; and for the creation of a
world without oppression and exploitation; a world
without genocide, white supremacy and war; a world built
for the, benefit of humanity: a socialist world.
In our lifetime we are witnessing the culmination of
thousands of years of struggle against class society. We
have seen the collective strength of national liberation
forever alter the balance of forces against imperialism.
Revolution is the main trend in the world, and revolution
is being led, ideologically and on the battlefield, by the
national liberation struggles for proletarian power.
We have changed our name to the May 19th Com¬
munist Organization out of a commitment to follow that
leadership. In this historic period the forces of national
liberation are waging war all over the world: in Zimbabwe
victory is certain, and that victory will unlock the struggle
in the whole region, leading towards the destruction of
South Africa and the birth of free Azania which will alter
the material basis of worldwide white supremacist domina¬
tion; in Iran, the glorious struggle of the Iranian people,
led by the Organization of the -Iranian People’s Fedayee
Guerrillas waging 'the armed struggle, has toppled1 the
bloody dictatorship of the US-backed Shah and advanced
the struggle for socialism; in Puerto Rico, an armed
clandestine front has emerged within the independence
movement that is leading towards full peoples’ war.
1
What We Believe
May 19th is the birthdate of Ho Chi Minh and of El
Hajj Malik Shabazz/Malcolm X. We commemorate them
as leaders of their nations’ struggles for land, in¬
dependence and socialism. They continue to provide
leadership in the worldwide struggle against imperialism,
colonialism and neo-colonialism; and for the creation of a
world without oppression and exploitation; a world
without genocide, white supremacy and war; a world built
for the, benefit of humanity: a socialist world.
In our lifetime we are witnessing the culmination of
thousands of years of struggle against class society. We
have seen the collective strength of national liberation
forever alter the balance of forces against imperialism.
Revolution is the main trend in the world, and revolution
is being led, ideologically and on the battlefield, by the
national liberation struggles for proletarian power.
We have changed our name to the May 19th Com¬
munist Organization out of a commitment to follow that
leadership. In this historic period the forces of national
liberation are waging war all over the world: in Zimbabwe
victory is certain, and that victory will unlock the struggle
in the whole region, leading towards the destruction of
South Africa and the birth of free Azania which will alter
the material basis of worldwide white supremacist domina¬
tion; in Iran, the glorious struggle of the Iranian people,
led by the Organization of the -Iranian People’s Fedayee
Guerrillas waging 'the armed struggle, has toppled1 the
bloody dictatorship of the US-backed Shah and advanced
the struggle for socialism; in Puerto Rico, an armed
clandestine front has emerged within the independence
movement that is leading towards full peoples’ war.
1
Because Malcolm X embodied revolutionary nationalist
Within the borders of the US, the struggles of the Black
leadership for the masses of Black people, he was
nation, the Native American nations and of the Chicano/
assassinated by imperialism’s murderous COINTELPRO
Mexicano people are building towards new levels of
program.
science, organization and power. It is this war of the
oppressed and exploited peoples against imperialism that
defines the terms, the direction and the timetable of pro¬
The struggle to free New Afrika has shown the power
letarian revolution in this era.
We have changed our name to the May 19th Com¬ of Black people against the empire. The heart of that
munist Organization to acknowledge the struggle of the struggle is the fight to free the land, the national territory
Vietnamese nation; and in recognition of the Black of the Black nation which comprises the five states of
nation’s struggle for liberation within the US as central Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia and South
and decisive in the defeat of US-led imperialism. Carolina. Black people have acquired a historic and
The great victory of the Vietnamese Revolution, under legitimate claim to the land. They have, continuously since
the arrival of the first kidnapped Africans, farmed and
the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh, taught the world
that the defeat of the most dangerous and aggressive im¬ developed it, and fought to stay on it. Historically and still
today, the superexploitation of Black people’s labor has
perialist power is possible. The Vietnamese people, led by a
formed the backbone of the US empire.
Marxist-Leninist party guided by a correct political line,
Throughout the history of US imperialism, the Black
won victory through 45 years of protracted people’s war.
liberation struggle has exposed the true nature of the
They built a united front against imperialism which
system: the struggle of Black people for human rights and
mobilized millions of people worldwide in solidarity with
against genocide has put the lie to the myth of “liberty and
their struggle for independence and freedom. The Viet¬
justice for all”: the terrorism of the police and of armed
namese people proved in practice what Ho Chi Minh had
white vigilantes in the Black community exposes the
fought for in the world communist movement: that in the
brutality that is needed to maintain the system. Most fun¬
era of imperialism and victorious socialist revolution,
damentally, it is the Black liberation struggle which has
national liberation has become decisive in the worldwide
exposed the relationship between the subjugation of op¬
proletarian revolution.
pressed peoples and the privileges of the oppressor nation.
The liberation of the Black nation imprisoned within
There can be no slaveowners without slaves; there can be
US borders will sound the death-knell of US-led im¬
no US empire without the continued colonial condition of
perialism. Self-determination, independence and land —
the Black nation.
these have been the tenets of the Black liberation struggle
The 1960s marked a decisive shift in the contradiction
for 400 years. Today, the political and strategic articula¬
between imperialism and the forces of revolution. The
tion of that history is revolutionary nationalism, the
Vietnamese war for national salvation led these forces. The
science of dialectical and historical materialism applied to
Black and Native American nations and the Chicano/
the concrete conditions of the Black nation. Malcolm X
Mexicano people within US borders, and the Puerto Rican
said of revolutionary nationalists: . .but just as the fuse
nation opened up a second front. Around the world, op¬
is the smallest part or the smallest piece in the powder keg,
pressed people took up arms to defeat imperialism: in
it is yet that little fuse that ignites the entire powder keg.”
3
2
Because Malcolm X embodied revolutionary nationalist
Within the borders of the US, the struggles of the Black
leadership for the masses of Black people, he was
nation, the Native American nations and of the Chicano/
assassinated by imperialism’s murderous COINTELPRO
Mexicano people are building towards new levels of
program.
science, organization and power. It is this war of the
oppressed and exploited peoples against imperialism that
defines the terms, the direction and the timetable of pro¬
The struggle to free New Afrika has shown the power
letarian revolution in this era.
We have changed our name to the May 19th Com¬ of Black people against the empire. The heart of that
munist Organization to acknowledge the struggle of the struggle is the fight to free the land, the national territory
Vietnamese nation; and in recognition of the Black of the Black nation which comprises the five states of
nation’s struggle for liberation within the US as central Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia and South
and decisive in the defeat of US-led imperialism. Carolina. Black people have acquired a historic and
The great victory of the Vietnamese Revolution, under legitimate claim to the land. They have, continuously since
the arrival of the first kidnapped Africans, farmed and
the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh, taught the world
that the defeat of the most dangerous and aggressive im¬ developed it, and fought to stay on it. Historically and still
today, the superexploitation of Black people’s labor has
perialist power is possible. The Vietnamese people, led by a
formed the backbone of the US empire.
Marxist-Leninist party guided by a correct political line,
Throughout the history of US imperialism, the Black
won victory through 45 years of protracted people’s war.
liberation struggle has exposed the true nature of the
They built a united front against imperialism which
system: the struggle of Black people for human rights and
mobilized millions of people worldwide in solidarity with
against genocide has put the lie to the myth of “liberty and
their struggle for independence and freedom. The Viet¬
justice for all”: the terrorism of the police and of armed
namese people proved in practice what Ho Chi Minh had
white vigilantes in the Black community exposes the
fought for in the world communist movement: that in the
brutality that is needed to maintain the system. Most fun¬
era of imperialism and victorious socialist revolution,
damentally, it is the Black liberation struggle which has
national liberation has become decisive in the worldwide
exposed the relationship between the subjugation of op¬
proletarian revolution.
pressed peoples and the privileges of the oppressor nation.
The liberation of the Black nation imprisoned within
There can be no slaveowners without slaves; there can be
US borders will sound the death-knell of US-led im¬
no US empire without the continued colonial condition of
perialism. Self-determination, independence and land —
the Black nation.
these have been the tenets of the Black liberation struggle
The 1960s marked a decisive shift in the contradiction
for 400 years. Today, the political and strategic articula¬
between imperialism and the forces of revolution. The
tion of that history is revolutionary nationalism, the
Vietnamese war for national salvation led these forces. The
science of dialectical and historical materialism applied to
Black and Native American nations and the Chicano/
the concrete conditions of the Black nation. Malcolm X
Mexicano people within US borders, and the Puerto Rican
said of revolutionary nationalists: . .but just as the fuse
nation opened up a second front. Around the world, op¬
is the smallest part or the smallest piece in the powder keg,
pressed people took up arms to defeat imperialism: in
it is yet that little fuse that ignites the entire powder keg.”
3
2
organize solidarity with the struggles of oppressed peoples
Guinea-Bissau, Angola, and Mozambique the Portuguese
within the US.
empire was shattered and socialist republics established; in
Latin America, the people of Chile, Bolivia, Argentina and
Uruguay initiated wars of liberation to free their countries
from US-led imperialism and its puppet military dictators;
The mass movements of the sixties suffered defeat at
in the Middle East, the Palestinian people emerged as the
their own hands by their failure to recognize that no move¬
leadership of the struggle against Zionism, Arab reaction
ment can be revolutionary or even progressive if it does not
and for the liberation of their homeland. These struggles
accept the leadership offered by the national liberation
represented anti-imperialist unity on the highest level.
struggles. Most of the white left has been reduced to a mir
Their impact defined revolutionary anti-imperialism, the
ror image of the white oppressor nation as a whole because
realization of Che Guevara’s call to “create two, three,
this lesson was not learned. The white left advocates
many Vietnams,” as the correct strategy towards the
pacifism in the face of national oppression and genocide; it
defeat of US-led imperialism. r
withholds material aid at a political price; it attempts to
Every sector in the world’s oppressor nations tvas
deny oppressed people the right to wage armed struggle by
forced to respond. Every contradiction within these
condemning national liberation war as terrorism, it at¬
societies was heightened, and this laid the basis for the
tacks the consolidation of vanguard forces for revolution
emergence of progressive movements among white people
as “narrow nationalism.” In taking the name May 19th
in the US and throughout Europe. The anti-war move¬
Communist Organization we commit ourselves to the
ment, the student movement, the women’s movement, the
strategy of revolutionary anti-imperialism under the
lesbian and gay liberation movements — all of these arose
leadership of the national liberation struggles. Our practice
in response to the struggles of the Third World.
will be guided by the principle of the right of oppressed
We trace the political roots of our organization to that
nations to self-determination. We are committed to break
history. It is a history that reflects all of the contradictions
with the white left’s history of white supremacy and revi¬
of the society it is a part of: white supremacy, American
sionism, and to struggle for the positive lessons of the past
exceptionalism, arrogance. A serious political struggle
20 years.
went on within the mass movements of the sixties, in which
The oppressed nations within the US are preparing
a significant anti-imperialist sector struggled to follow the
themselves to wage full-scale people’s war against the
leadership of the national liberation struggles in building
enemy that has entered its final decline. While US-led im¬
revolutionary solidarity. Opposed to this was a sector of
perialism will not disappear and must be overthrown, it
the white left which consistently attempted to set its own
will never again reach the heights of power and hegemony
terms for the struggle. It refused to recognize the reality of
that it had after World War II. The determination of op¬
Third World leadership — that the student movement grew
pressed peoples to win their liberation is heightening and
out of the struggles of Black students in the early 60s; that
will never be defeated.
the struggle for women’s liberation is led by the women of
Imperialism, to survive, must maintain control and
the Third World and not by white women in the US. Con¬
defeat these wars of liberation emerging all over the globe.
sistently the white left found it an easier task to recognize
To accomplish this imperialism is strengthening its armed
national liberation when it was 5,000 miles away than to
5
4
organize solidarity with the struggles of oppressed peoples
Guinea-Bissau, Angola, and Mozambique the Portuguese
within the US.
empire was shattered and socialist republics established; in
Latin America, the people of Chile, Bolivia, Argentina and
Uruguay initiated wars of liberation to free their countries
from US-led imperialism and its puppet military dictators;
The mass movements of the sixties suffered defeat at
in the Middle East, the Palestinian people emerged as the
their own hands by their failure to recognize that no move¬
leadership of the struggle against Zionism, Arab reaction
ment can be revolutionary or even progressive if it does not
and for the liberation of their homeland. These struggles
accept the leadership offered by the national liberation
represented anti-imperialist unity on the highest level.
struggles. Most of the white left has been reduced to a mir
Their impact defined revolutionary anti-imperialism, the
ror image of the white oppressor nation as a whole because
realization of Che Guevara’s call to “create two, three,
this lesson was not learned. The white left advocates
many Vietnams,” as the correct strategy towards the
pacifism in the face of national oppression and genocide; it
defeat of US-led imperialism. r
withholds material aid at a political price; it attempts to
Every sector in the world’s oppressor nations tvas
deny oppressed people the right to wage armed struggle by
forced to respond. Every contradiction within these
condemning national liberation war as terrorism, it at¬
societies was heightened, and this laid the basis for the
tacks the consolidation of vanguard forces for revolution
emergence of progressive movements among white people
as “narrow nationalism.” In taking the name May 19th
in the US and throughout Europe. The anti-war move¬
Communist Organization we commit ourselves to the
ment, the student movement, the women’s movement, the
strategy of revolutionary anti-imperialism under the
lesbian and gay liberation movements — all of these arose
leadership of the national liberation struggles. Our practice
in response to the struggles of the Third World.
will be guided by the principle of the right of oppressed
We trace the political roots of our organization to that
nations to self-determination. We are committed to break
history. It is a history that reflects all of the contradictions
with the white left’s history of white supremacy and revi¬
of the society it is a part of: white supremacy, American
sionism, and to struggle for the positive lessons of the past
exceptionalism, arrogance. A serious political struggle
20 years.
went on within the mass movements of the sixties, in which
The oppressed nations within the US are preparing
a significant anti-imperialist sector struggled to follow the
themselves to wage full-scale people’s war against the
leadership of the national liberation struggles in building
enemy that has entered its final decline. While US-led im¬
revolutionary solidarity. Opposed to this was a sector of
perialism will not disappear and must be overthrown, it
the white left which consistently attempted to set its own
will never again reach the heights of power and hegemony
terms for the struggle. It refused to recognize the reality of
that it had after World War II. The determination of op¬
Third World leadership — that the student movement grew
pressed peoples to win their liberation is heightening and
out of the struggles of Black students in the early 60s; that
will never be defeated.
the struggle for women’s liberation is led by the women of
Imperialism, to survive, must maintain control and
the Third World and not by white women in the US. Con¬
defeat these wars of liberation emerging all over the globe.
sistently the white left found it an easier task to recognize
To accomplish this imperialism is strengthening its armed
national liberation when it was 5,000 miles away than to
5
4
forces and reorganizing its intelligence apparatus; it is wip¬
The victories of national liberation and the decline of
ing out the gains made irvthe struggle of Third World peo¬
imperialism have had a profound impact oh the life of the
ple inside the US for national democratic rights; and daily
white oppressor nation. The quality of life is decaying —
it is heightening the level of police terror against Third
the rising cost of living, alcoholism, pornography, aliena¬
World communities. It is heightening, now in the name of
tion. The brutality that imperialism directs against the op-'
“the war against international terrorism,” its counter¬
pressed nations spills over, and becomes a part of the
intelligence program (code name: COINTELPRO) of
fabric of daily life within the white oppressor nation.
murder, infiltration and harassment against Third World
The overall decline in the privileges of empire
leaders, movements and entire communities.
heightens all of the contradictions within the white op¬
Where direct military or political control is not possi¬
pressor nation. The exploitation and oppression of certain
ble, the US has installed puppets as its front-men. In
strata — of women, and especially working class women;
Nicaragua, Zaire, the Philippines, bloodthirsty dictators
and of the entire lower stratum of the working class — in¬
remain in power because of US support. In other parts of
tensifies, and is the material basis for discontent and
the world, the US uses its economic might to penetrate and
rebellion. These contradictions, though, will spontaneous¬
influence the political direction of many Third World na¬
ly move most white people towards white supremacy and
tions. Increasingly, since Nixon introduced Vietnamization
reaction. At the same time, the impact and the example of
during the war in Southeast Asia, the US strategy has been
the national liberation struggles will have a progressive ef¬
to find Third World people and countries who will act as
fect on some sectors.
“gendarmes” for the interests of US imperialism.
This is historic — we experienced it during the late 60s
Internally, imperialism is attempting to mobilize the
and early 70s, when the victorious struggle of the Viet¬
entire white oppressor nation in defense of empire. The im¬
namese people and the rise of the Black liberation struggle
perialist bourgeoisie is leading mass movements aimed at
pushed many white people to the left: students, progressive
consolidating the support of the white working class. The
intellectuals, women. The task of white communists is to
death penalty, tax reform, “law and order,” and the
exploit these contradictions, organizing among those sec¬
defeat of affirmative action represent a well-orchestrated
tors for revolutionary consciousness.
attempt to identify Third World people as the enemy and
These contradictions define our tasks in this period.
source of all contradictions. Increasingly, the white “mid¬
We must oppose the consolidation of reactionary forces.
dle class” is being portrayed as the “victim” in US society.
We must organize all who can be organized within the op¬
The Ku Klux Klan and the Nazis are the armed shock
pressor nation, and in particular within the white working
troops of white supremacy, but every sector among white
class, to provide material aid and political solidarity to the
people is being mobilized as a mass base of support for
national liberation struggles. Any revolutionary movement
racist terror, heightened repression and imperialist war.
of white people within the US must be under the leadership
The ability of US imperialism to mobilize and unite the
of the national liberation struggles, and must be prepared
white working class has enabled it to maintain control in
to fight alongside national liberation against US-led im¬
its drive for hegemony. This alliance was sealed from the
perialism, to free the subjugated nations. This is both an
time that Black people were enslaved and white people
urgent and a difficult responsibility, and demands that we
made the overseers.
scientifically analyze the white oppressor nation in all of its
6
7
forces and reorganizing its intelligence apparatus; it is wip¬
The victories of national liberation and the decline of
ing out the gains made irvthe struggle of Third World peo¬
imperialism have had a profound impact oh the life of the
ple inside the US for national democratic rights; and daily
white oppressor nation. The quality of life is decaying —
it is heightening the level of police terror against Third
the rising cost of living, alcoholism, pornography, aliena¬
World communities. It is heightening, now in the name of
tion. The brutality that imperialism directs against the op-'
“the war against international terrorism,” its counter¬
pressed nations spills over, and becomes a part of the
intelligence program (code name: COINTELPRO) of
fabric of daily life within the white oppressor nation.
murder, infiltration and harassment against Third World
The overall decline in the privileges of empire
leaders, movements and entire communities.
heightens all of the contradictions within the white op¬
Where direct military or political control is not possi¬
pressor nation. The exploitation and oppression of certain
ble, the US has installed puppets as its front-men. In
strata — of women, and especially working class women;
Nicaragua, Zaire, the Philippines, bloodthirsty dictators
and of the entire lower stratum of the working class — in¬
remain in power because of US support. In other parts of
tensifies, and is the material basis for discontent and
the world, the US uses its economic might to penetrate and
rebellion. These contradictions, though, will spontaneous¬
influence the political direction of many Third World na¬
ly move most white people towards white supremacy and
tions. Increasingly, since Nixon introduced Vietnamization
reaction. At the same time, the impact and the example of
during the war in Southeast Asia, the US strategy has been
the national liberation struggles will have a progressive ef¬
to find Third World people and countries who will act as
fect on some sectors.
“gendarmes” for the interests of US imperialism.
This is historic — we experienced it during the late 60s
Internally, imperialism is attempting to mobilize the
and early 70s, when the victorious struggle of the Viet¬
entire white oppressor nation in defense of empire. The im¬
namese people and the rise of the Black liberation struggle
perialist bourgeoisie is leading mass movements aimed at
pushed many white people to the left: students, progressive
consolidating the support of the white working class. The
intellectuals, women. The task of white communists is to
death penalty, tax reform, “law and order,” and the
exploit these contradictions, organizing among those sec¬
defeat of affirmative action represent a well-orchestrated
tors for revolutionary consciousness.
attempt to identify Third World people as the enemy and
These contradictions define our tasks in this period.
source of all contradictions. Increasingly, the white “mid¬
We must oppose the consolidation of reactionary forces.
dle class” is being portrayed as the “victim” in US society.
We must organize all who can be organized within the op¬
The Ku Klux Klan and the Nazis are the armed shock
pressor nation, and in particular within the white working
troops of white supremacy, but every sector among white
class, to provide material aid and political solidarity to the
people is being mobilized as a mass base of support for
national liberation struggles. Any revolutionary movement
racist terror, heightened repression and imperialist war.
of white people within the US must be under the leadership
The ability of US imperialism to mobilize and unite the
of the national liberation struggles, and must be prepared
white working class has enabled it to maintain control in
to fight alongside national liberation against US-led im¬
its drive for hegemony. This alliance was sealed from the
perialism, to free the subjugated nations. This is both an
time that Black people were enslaved and white people
urgent and a difficult responsibility, and demands that we
made the overseers.
scientifically analyze the white oppressor nation in all of its
6
7
pressor nations and a large number of oppressed nations.
aspects: who are friends and who are enemies.
There exists within the borders of the US a white oppressor
We are a Marxist-L'eninist organization committed to
nation, forged through centuries of subjugation of op¬
the following principles: pressed peoples. The white oppressor nation is a parasite
on the Third World, and the liberation of the nations held
1 We believe that the principal contradiction in the
captive within US borders will mean its destruction.
world today is between the national liberation struggles
and U.S.-led imperialism. The struggle of oppressed na¬
3. We are committed to the principle of Third World
tions vfor land, independence and socialism leads the pro¬
leadership. In the era of imperialism it is the national
letarian revolution worldwide. liberation struggles who lead in the development of revolu¬
The victory of the revolutions in Vietnam, Kam¬ tionary ideology and in the waging of war against im¬
perialism. No movement within the oppressor nation can
puchea and Laos is the defining event of our era, sending
US imperialism into its final decline. The highest point of be revolutionary or even progressive if it does not accept
world revolutionary struggle has shifted to Southern and follow that leadership, politically and strategically.
Africa: in Azania, Namibia and Zimbabwe where people s
The task of white communists is to build political and
war is being waged against imperialism. The defeat ot
material solidarity with the leading forces for revolution
white settler colonialism — in Southern Africa, in
Concrete practice can be the only principled basis of
Palestine and within the borders of the US — will mark the
solidarity by white people with the national liberation
next qualitative defeats for imperialism and worldwide
struggles.
white supremacy, and will resolve the principal contradic¬
tion in those areas in favor of national liberation. 4. Armed struggle is the fundamental tool of op¬
pressed people to win their liberation. We fully support,
2 The US is an empire, which holds within its il¬ both politically apd materially, the waging of national
legitimate borders the Black nation; many Native liberation war against imperialism. Around the world and
American nations; the Chicano / Mexicano people, and in the US, vanguard forces will emerge and have done so
which colonizes the nation of Puerto Rico. We support the through the building of armed clandestine movements and
struggle of the Black Nation for the right to self- the waging of people’s war. A central aspect of our sup¬
determination, which in practice means the establishment port is the active defense of all political prisoners and
of a Black state within its national territory; the struggle of prisoners of war captured by the imperialist state.
Native American nations for sovereignty; and the struggle
The waging of armed struggle is the responsibility of
of Puerto Rico for independence and socialism. “All
all true revolutionaries, and so we commit ourselves to
revolutions are fought for land and political power,”
fulfilling our fundamental task, to wage war against the
(Malcolm X) and it is the struggles of these oppressed
enemy for the final defeat of US imperialism.
peoples for liberation that defines the content of revolu¬
tionary class struggle in the US.
5. The revolutionary struggle for women’s liberation
Lenin defined the characteristic feature of imperialism
is an integral part of the struggle against imperialism. It is
as the division of the world into a small number of op¬
9
8