Michael Yates Quotes
I think the two issues, racism and chauvinism, are linked. Look at how much weaker was support for U.S. actions in Iraq among black people.
What needs to be grasped is that the system itself is the cause of all of the misery in the world. This is a simple but powerful idea.
Capitalism is, in Mao's language, the main contradiction in the world today and so our efforts have to be focused on ending this system and making a new one.
You can't take the view of some of the sectarian parties that hard issues can't be confronted when dealing with workers. If you don't confront these issues, what will ever change?
You have to get out in the world and meet folks on their own turf, something which a lot of urban radical intellectuals seldom do.
Most people in this country, while they might not be happy about things, also are woefully ignorant about many things. Sometimes people can learn, but other times they have to be confronted.
Most young people are or will soon enough be workers. They can help to energize and radicalize the workers' movement. And what revolution has ever succeeded without youth?
Of course we can talk about the radical potential of youth. But in the U.S. it is still the case that most youth are conservative and not very sympathetic to the working class.
The main dividing line is still race. This is the issue that must be focused upon in all working class organizations.
Without an understanding of the issue of race and a willingness to confront it head on, the working class will not build its strength.
Racism is the most divisive force in our society, so until it is dealt with we cannot hope for much.