this post was submitted on 31 Jul 2024
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Lefty Memes

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An international (English speaking) socialist Lemmy community free of the "ML" influence of instances like lemmy.ml and lemmygrad. This is a place for undogmatic shitposting and memes from a progressive, anti-capitalist and truly anti-imperialist perspective, regardless of specific ideology.

Serious posts, news, and discussion go in c/Socialism.

If you are new to socialism, you can ask questions and find resources over on c/Socialism101.

Please don't forget to help keep this community clean by reporting rule violations, updooting good contributions and downdooting those of low-quality!

Rules

Version without spoilers

0. Only post socialist memes


That refers to funny image macros and means that generally videos and screenshots are not allowed. Exceptions include explicitly humorous and short videos, as well as (social media) screenshots depicting a funny situation, joke, or joke picture relating to socialist movements, theory, societal issues, or political opponents. Examples would be the classic case of humorous Tumblr or Twitter posts/threads. (and no, agitprop text does not count as a meme)


1. Socialist Unity in the form of mutual respect and good faith interactions is enforced here


Try to keep an open mind, other schools of thought may offer points of view and analyses you haven't considered yet. Also: This is not a place for the Idealism vs. Materialism or rather Anarchism vs. Marxism debate(s), for that please visit c/AnarchismVsMarxism.


2. Anti-Imperialism means recognizing capitalist states like Russia and China as such


That means condemning (their) imperialism, even if it is of the "anti-USA" flavor.


3. No liberalism, (right-wing) revisionism or reactionaries.


That includes so called: Social Democracy, Democratic Socialism, Dengism, Market Socialism, Patriotic Socialism, National Bolshevism, Anarcho-Capitalism etc. . Anti-Socialist people and content have no place here, as well as the variety of "Marxist"-"Leninists" seen on lemmygrad and more specifically GenZedong (actual ML's are welcome as long as they agree to the rules and don't just copy paste/larp about stuff from a hundred years ago).


4. No Bigotry.


The only dangerous minority is the rich.


5. Don't demonize previous and current socialist experiments or (leading) individuals.


We must constructively learn from their mistakes, while acknowledging their achievements and recognizing when they have strayed away from socialist principles.

(if you are reading the rules to apply for modding this community, mention "Mantic Minotaur" when answering question 2)


6. Don't idolize/glorify previous and current socialist experiments or (leading) individuals.


Notable achievements in all spheres of society were made by various socialist/people's/democratic republics around the world. Mistakes, however, were made as well: bureaucratic castes of parasitic elites - as well as reactionary cults of personality - were established, many things were mismanaged and prejudice and bigotry sometimes replaced internationalism and progressiveness.



  1. Absolutely no posts or comments meant to relativize(/apologize for), advocate, promote or defend:

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[–] Cowbee@lemmy.ml -3 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (1 children)

You could dispute the genocidal bit but you cannot in good faith argue that the communist party wasn't dictatorial.

In what manner was the Communist Party "dictatorial?" It held immense power, yes, but it wasn't 1 dude deciding everything, there was worker participation in how it ran and the party itself was democratically run. There was corruption, yes, but it wasn't a dictatorship either.

And I believe the OPs point is that that's a bad thing.

We shouldn't be basing our politics and imagery today off the guy who fucked socialism for a century.

How, exactly, did Lenin "fuck socialism for a century?"

[–] trashgirlfriend@lemmy.world 12 points 3 months ago (1 children)

In what manner was the Communist Party "dictatorial?" It held immense power, yes, but it wasn't 1 dude deciding everything,

Ah yes, as long as there is at least 2 dudes deciding everything it's not a dictatorship.

there was worker participation in how it ran and the party itself was democratically run.

As long as you liked the way that the party wanted things to be, yes.

How, exactly, did Lenin "fuck socialism for a century?"

His party went on to encourage other revolutionary groups to adapt the anti-socialist Leninist-Stalinist structure, at times actively sabotaging socialist movements that were structured differently.

In those times you either fell behind the ML party line or had no support from the international movement, the russian communists absolutely fucked it all up.

[–] Cowbee@lemmy.ml 0 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (1 children)

Ah yes, as long as there is at least 2 dudes deciding everything it's not a dictatorship.

There were far more than "2 dudes" in the CPSU, and far, far more than 2 dudes in the USSR that contributed to the electoral process and voted within it.

As long as you liked the way that the party wanted things to be, yes.

Yes, generally, though you could join the party and influence it from within.

His party went on to encourage other revolutionary groups to adapt the anti-socialist Leninist-Stalinist structure, at times actively sabotaging socialist movements that were structured differently.

How was it "anti-socialist?" Where is the departure from Marx in Lenin?

In those times you either fell behind the ML party line or had no support from the international movement, the russian communists absolutely fucked it all up.

What other movements have succeeded at all? Why do you think Marxists generally are made up of MLs?

I recommend reading Blackshirts and Reds if you want a critical look at the successes and failures of the USSR, and its place in Socialist history.

[–] trashgirlfriend@lemmy.world 7 points 3 months ago (1 children)

What other movements have succeeded at all? Why do you think Marxists generally are made up of MLs?

It's almost like some Mario-mustache-ass pedophile resented other socialist movements for threatening his order.

I am honestly tired, you people all peddle the same nonsense talking points and link the same shitty books and essays.

MLs have not had an independent thought since the early 20th century and it really fucking shows.

[–] Cowbee@lemmy.ml 0 points 3 months ago (1 children)

You're flinging mud because you can't or don't want to respond. Linking Marx is linking "shitty books and essays?"