r

1 ======F=R=ll=DOM===Soc==I==AL~.O.SUiiM.M.EiR.1i~iI.. ~~~~~~~~~~~!!~!!~ .. !!~~!!~

BY STEPHEN DURHAM If so, this is a radical policy depar­ ture for the Sandinistas who, until re­ onald Reagan, with the blessing of cently, have done their utmost to dis­ Congress, has turned up the fire tance themselves from other revolu­ R under revolutionary Nicaragua. tionary struggles. As late as February, The war faction in Washington has Daniel Ortega was assuring the U.S. gained the upper hand since April 23 that Nicaragua was not a Marxist when Congress, mindful of U.S. anti­ state, a "Soviet beachhead," or a rev­ war pressure, first rejected Reagan's olutionary threat to its capitalist neigh­ proposed $14 million in contra aid. bors. The Sandinistas' first concern, Undeterred, the president enacted a he insisted, was to achieve final, last­ sweeping trade embargo against Nica­ ing "peace" with imperialism. ragua on May 1. Then early in June, Congress used Nicaraguan President Revolutionary contradictions Daniel Ortega's aid-seeking trip to the The Nicaraguan revolution of 1979 Soviet Union during April and Mayas constituted a giant stride toward de­ a pretext to reverse itself and approve mocracy, social justice, and economic $27 million in funding to the contros. equality-an inspiration to the people In a May 23rd speech, Secretary of of Central America and the world. State George Schultz for the first time Nonetheless, Nicaragua is saddled explicitly raised the prospect of U.S. with terrible problems, the products of invasion. Recent U.S.-provoked battles its colonial past, current imperialist along Nicaragua's Honduran and onslaughts, and many of the class-col­ Costa Rican borders raise the spectre laborationist policies of the Sandinis­ of imminent attack to "protect" Nica­ tas themselves. ragua's neighbors against "aggression." Immediately after dictator Somoza's The Reagan administration's grow­ overthrow and the nationalization of ing belligerence may be pushing the his vast landholdings and personally Sandinistas to acknowledge finally the owned banks, the triumphant workers impossibility of peacefully co-existing and peasants pressed for sweeping ex­ with U.S. imperialism. The trade deal propriations of the capitalists. They with the Soviets indicates that the San­ were opposed by the Sandinistas. private and socialized economy and es­ nevertheless, have stamped their im­ dinistas foresee the hopelessness of Nicaragua's inherited economic pouse equal political rights for capital­ print on the policies of the state. Their relying on the weathercock of liberal backwardness and the resulting scar­ ist and anti-capitalist parties. They in­ organizations-Sandinista Defense sentiment in Congress to reverse U.S. city of technological and administra­ vited the bourgeoisie into the govern­ Committees, agricultural laborers' as­ decimation of the economy. tive knowledge precluded speedy tran­ ment, and plan to institute a parlia­ sociations, factory workers' commit­ On April 26 in Managua, Minister of sition to a socialized economy. But the mentary system of government based tees, the national women's organiza­ the Interior Tomas Borge delivered a Sandinistas have refused to enunciate on universal suffrage-the bourgeois tion (AMNLAE), and the Sandinista remarkably militant speech that prom­ even a general strategy toward work­ governmental form par excellence. youth brigades-maintain civil de­ ised the U.S. would have hell to pay ers' control of production. Anxious to The Sandinistas also have declined fense, police neighborhoods, oversee should it set foot inside Nicaragua. ally with Nicaragua's "anti-imperialist" to extend democracy to those most in and administer production in many Then on June 6, Defense Minister bourgeoisie, they have expropriated need of it: Women's right to abortion private as well as state enterprises, dis­ Humberto Ortega pronounced words only under mass pressure and when is outlawed, and the government con­ tribute basic commodities, lead na­ that had long seemed unsayable by the forced to by capitalist sabotage. Today tinues to refuse Nicaragua's Indians tional health and literacy campaigns, Sandinistas. He vowed that "popular approximately 60070 of production re­ their inalienable right to self-determi­ and carry out wide-ranging discussions forces in Latin America will unleash mains in private hands. The basic an­ nation. The mass workers' and peas­ and debate on national policy ques­ their violence" against the U.S. if it tagonism between anarchic capitalism ants' organizations are denied the de­ tions. While their recommendations invades. Ortega's statement was a tacit and the needs of planned state-owned cisive voice in shaping state policy. are not binding on the government, admission that Nicaragua and all the production, and between Nicaragua's These failures, along with past efforts they have input at the highest levels of oppressed in this hemisphere share workers and peasants and their capi­ to divorce the revolution from other state. More than once they have mo­ common revolutionary cause against talist exploiters is still unalleviated. anti-imperialist struggles, are intrinsi­ bilized in the cities and countryside to U.S. imperialism. The statement could The Sandinistas have attempted to cally connected to the Sandinistas' pressure the Sandinistas to implement be construed as an implicit appeal to resolve these contradictions by smoth­ strenuous efforts to appease and "co­ policies favorable to their interests, anti-imperialist forces to unite in prep­ ering efforts to extend the revolution. exist" with the imperialists. such as worker management of indus­ aration for war. They enshrine the concept of a "mixed" try and land reform. Collision course From the beginning, the Sandinistas The armed workers and peasants, topage 22

vera visited the FSP's national head­ Since the U.S. bourgeois press and quarters and addressed a few words to the FSLN have consistently portrayed an audience assembled for a public for­ the Indian struggle as part of the contra um. He described the Indians' continu­ war-the former to discredit the San­ ing struggle in Nicaragua, and thanked dinistas, the latter to discredit the In­ the FSP for its longterm support of dians-we could not trust this report. A their cause. He expressed the hope that call to Miskitu leader Armstrong Wig­ other U.S. progressives would soon re­ gins at the Indian Law Resource Center alize the justice of the Indians' position. in Washington, D.C. provided the fol­ His words were greeted with thun­ lowing clarification: derous applause. MISURASATA, MISURA and the Rivera is the chief negotiator for Southern Indigenous Creole Committee MISURASA TA at peace talks which (SICq have begun working together, have been held with the Sandinistas off and on June 16 announced formation Interview with and on since 1984. His trip to the U.S. of the ASLA (Unity) Commission to came on the heels of the third set of discuss how best to press the Indians' Miskitu leader talks, at which some progress seemed to demands on a united basis. The ASLA have been made. Commission is composed of Brooklyn But the fourth round of talks broke Rivera, Wycliff Diego of MISURA, Brooklyn down at the end of May, when the San­ and Jennie Lee Hodgson (SICC). dinistas refused to discuss the bottom­ Wiggins stated that the report that Rivera line issue-the Indians' right to auton­ the Indians wish to overthrow the San­ omy. Interior Minister Tomas Borge, dinistas is totally false. MISURA, he who oversees all matters relating to In­ said, has broken with the contros, dian affairs, charged that the Miskitus recognizing that its depredations are had "no tradition of legal autonomy against the Indians' interest. Fagoth's ... this is a concept that they picked up current relations with MISURA are from various international organiza­ unclear, but he is "not in the picture" tions"! Responded Rivera, "The gov­ as regards the ASLA Commission. ernment delegation completely refused Brooklyn Rivera was interviewed by to discuss the fundamental issues such Guerry Hoddersen, National Secretary rooklyn Rivera is the General This interview took place on April as land rights, cultural identity, natural of the Freedom Socialist Party and a Coordinator of MISURASATA, 28, 1985 in Seattle during a u.s. tour resources, and the political organization seasoned and highly respected activist B the organization of Miskitu, Su­ by Rivera to build support for the In­ of indigenous people. They have con­ in the Native American movement. mo, and Rama Indians fighting for ter­ dians of Nicaragua. Rivera hopes that tinued to deny our aboriginal rights." ritorial, economic, political, and cultur­ if MISURASA T A's position is under­ On June 25, United Press Interna­ • • • al autonomy within revolutionary Nica­ stood by Native Americans and the tional reported that, according to "rebel GH: How would Indian autonomy func­ ragua. Since 1981, Rivera has led Central American solidarity movement radio," MISURASATA and MISURA, tion in relation to the Nicaraguan armed Indian resistance against Sandi­ in the U.S., these groups will help an Indian organization identified with state? nista (FSLN) attempts to force Indians pressure a just and peaceful resolution contra supporter Steadman Fagoth, had Rivera: Autonomy means the exercise to leave their homelands and assimilate to the conflict. joined forces to "overthrow" the San­ of our aboriginal rights on our tradi­ into the majority Latino culture. The night before the interview, Ri- dinista government. to page 27 LETTERS

Proper focus lerns. I have studied prodigiously, formed by people who broke away Just a note to tell you I complete­ and gained a basic understanding of from the SWP following policy ly agree with your outfit's analysis of Marxian ideology; the effect of class disputes, I consider the FSP to be a ...._, the Jackson Movement and himself. struggle on human history, the emer­ valuable source of information. ------______Also let me congratulate you on gence of the capitalist system, and I was introduced to the FSP Volume 9. Number 2 Summer 1985 having the Miskitu issue in proper the evolution of the proletarian through the Autumn 1984 edition of focus! Keep on trying to tell our Left movement toward socialism. Being the FS which contains a particularly the difference between supporting an aware member of the working informative article titled "The SWP Takeback? Fightback! 24 Sandinistas when they are right and class, I have determined to con­ Abandons Trotskyism." opposing them when they are tribute to the struggle. Bay Area women workers I am in a state of re-evaluation of color get the labor move· wrong. You have it right-keep it Early in the process of my rad­ right now and I seek informed opin­ ment moving in the battle up! "the Sandinistas concede to icalization, I was introduced to the ions with which to temper my deci­ againsttakebacks,decertifi­ Creoles and Indians the right of self­ SWP. I was in basic agreement with sion making. Thank you very much cation and plant closures. determination-they will return to the Leninist-Trotskyist interpretation for your assistance. AFSCME member Nancy defense of the country. All other of Marxism, so the SWP's program A Wisconsin prisoner Reiko Kato reports. problems are minor. was readily accepted. R.D. Casey A few months ago, I met a new Thanks for writing. We're glad to Belize prisoner who introduced me to hear you're reconsidering your com­ organizations and pUblications that I mitment to the SWP. For more on had been only vaguely aware of. the SWP's degeneration and the Gentlemen's Agreement 23 Startled by this new world of leftist crisis in world Trotskyism, please We'll be writing! thought, I set out to gain the full pic­ read "Behind the 'Gentlemen's The 12th World Congress I am an inmate at a state pnson in ture of Trotskyist activity in the U.S. Agreement''' in this issue. of the Fourth International Wisconsin. When I first came here I I have read the literature of many avoided the issue of the U.S. befriended a leftist prisoner who different parties and seen many Socialist Workers Party's Readers are encouraged to submit letters, abandonment of Trotsky­ helped me turn my general discon­ criticisms of the SWP. As a result, I news stories, commentary, cartoons, graph· ism. Robert Crisman calls tent into an interest in understand­ am re-evaluating my commitment to ics, photographs, and pertinent information for good, honest, healthy ing the causes of the world's prob- the SWP. Because the FSP was on world and national affairs. debate.

Correction make its demands heard. For Blacks politics as a synonym for cultural na­ In the article "The III-Fated and other people of color, such self­ tionalism. We oppose the principle AI DS-Everyone's Crisis 28 Journey of Jesse Jackson" which ap­ organization on the basis of race can of -cultural nationalism or separatism peared in the last issue of the Free­ be described as skin color politics. because it places the struggles of a The medical and political dom Socialist, we inadvertently gave Throughout the FSP's history, we particular race or people above and AIDS emergency will either a negative connotation to the term galvanize or engulf the have supported and motivated such in isolation from all other struggles, lesbian/gay movement and "skin color politics." This mistake organizing. Racism, sexism, and ho­ especially the basic class struggle. other progessive struggles. may have caused readers to misun­ mophobia are so entrenched within This prevents the oppressed from ce­ The political remedy is at derstand the FSP's position on the U.S. society, the labor movement, menting the alliances which are nec­ hand, says Dr. Susan importance of independent organizing and most movements for social essary for survival. It disguises the Williams. for Blacks and all other oppressed change that the most oppressed class divisions which exist within groups. would be effectively silenced if they every oppressed group. It prevents Autonomous, independent organ­ did not organize independently. the adoption of a realistic program izing is key to every oppressed However, in the Jesse Jackson ar­ for change. Hidden Heroines 25 group's ability to rally its forces and ticle we carelessly used skin color -THE EDITORS Gloria Martin reviews Missing Pieces, an eye­ opening book which re­ stores to history the names Mila AggJlar and deeds of one hundred Irish women fighters and feminists. Filipina poet imprisoned

BY LINDA AVERILL doning all pretense of justice, the Also Marcos regime detained Aguilar un­ ila Aguilar, revolutionary der the Preventive Detention Act. Intemational People of Color feminist poet and political This is a catch-all law that allows Nicaragua 1 Chicano struggle 7 M activist in the Philippines, the military to circumvent civilian Brooklyn Rivera 1 was arrested without a warrant in courts and hold anyone suspected Mila Aguilar 2 Lesbian/Gay August 1984 and charged with of "subversion" for as long as the South Africa 4 Alison Thome 8 "subversion and conspiracy to government wants. Labor commit rebellion" against the Mar­ Hotel strike 3 Features cos regime, a crime that carries the Support grows Human rights 3 death penalty. Despite the attempt to silence Women Clara Fraser 25 Aguilar's "crime" is that she has Aguilar, the Committee to Free Abortion rights 24 Cartoon 25 spoken out against the Marcos re­ Mila Aguilar, composed of teach­ gime. Her imprisonment exempli­ ers, writers, and political activists, fies the ongoing attempts by the has been formed in Manila and U.S.-backed dictator to stifle dissi­ Cambridge, Massachusetts. Thou­ dent teachers and writers and to sands of letters and cables of pro­ squelch the Filipino liberation test have been sent to Marcos, and On the cover: movement. on September 10 in Manila a large Design by Doug Barnes, from a photo by Steve Hone. Aguilar is one of 70,000 who rally of supporters protested the Staff have been arrested in the Philip­ military's ill-treatment of Aguilar pines for political reasons since me tell you about the movement! and its disrespect for the civil court Editor Buslne.. Managers 1972. Marcos-to whom the U.S. The revolutionary twists and turns! ruling. As a result, Aguilar was Robert Crisman Ann Gonsalves will send $900 million this year to The flow as well as the ebblNot only transferred to a regular detention Lori Garrett Editorial Board protect "democracy" in the Far my strengths but my vacillations.lNo camp where she is now held. Yolanda Alaniz Type.. tters East-currently holds 3000 political romance.! Only the resolute capacity A petition campaign has been Clara Fraser Helen Gilbert prisoners. to overcome." organized and letters demanding Guerry Hoddersen Scarlet Letters Janet Sutherland the release of Aguilar and other Tamara Turner Production Coordinators No romance Preventive circumvention political prisoners are encouraged. Sandra Welsted Doug Barnes Arrested on August 6 along with Letters can be sent to President Kay Eriksen At 32, Mila Aguilar is a former Manager Kathy King teacher at the University of the a co-worker and a high school stu­ Marcos, Malacanang Place, Ma­ Andrea Bauer Philippines and journalist for the dent, Aguilar was placed in solitary nila, Philippines, and Ambassador Paste-up Proofreaders Linda Averill Manila Graphic. A distinguished confinement and interrogated for Bosworth, U.S. Embassy, Manila, Michael Green Karen Brodine poet, she has been published in three days without access to legal Philippines. For petitions or more Karrie Peterson Megan Cornish This Bridge Called My Back, Aza­ counsel. On August 13, a civil court information, write: Committee to Peggy Shafer Susan Docekal Joanne Ward Jonathan Foe lea, Big Mama Rag, and Off Our dropped the subversion and conspi­ Free Mila Aguilar, P.O. Box 1726, Backs. In November 1984, Kitchen racy charges for lack of evidence. Cambridge, MA 02238.0 The F1'f!¥!dom SociDIist (lSSN 02724367) is published quarterly by the Table Women of Color Press pub­ The court ordered Aguilar's release Freedom Socialist Party, Freeway Hall, 3815 Fifth Ave. N.E., Seattle, WA 98105. Phone 206-632·7449. lished A Comrade is as Precious as on bail for a minor charge, "pos­ Linda Averill, a journalism stu­ Subscriptions: I year 53.00 (Institutions $6.(0), 2 year Supporting Sub a Rice Seedling, a book of poetry session of subversive documents," dent and former president of the $15.00,5 year Sustaining Sub $50.00. Add 52.50 surface postage outside tbe United States; add $7.00 for overseas airmail. Back oopies 5.75 each. Dona· reflecting her work against the which carries a maximum penalty Women's Commission at the Univer­ tions to defray publishing costs welcome. Subscriptions exchanged. Marcos government. of six months. sity of Washington, dove into radical FS articles and graphics may be reproduced with our permission and with appropriate credit given. Material submitted to us will be carefully considered The poem "Orientation: No Bail was posted that same day, politics at the age of 19 when she for publication. The FS is 1isted in the AlteraatiTe Press Iadex. Romance" by Aguilar begins: "Let but Aguilar was not released. Aban- joined the anti-draft movement. ViT

FREEOOM SoaALISf 0 SUMMER 1985

Combative strikers rock NYC

ment of more "flexible" job classifi­ cations. And they have yet to see the document they ratified. But the settlement is not the whole or even the major part of the story. The workers won the most important victory: rather than acquiescing to give­ backs, as too many unions are doing these days, they put up a fierce fight that indicates the way forward for U.S. labor. They kept their union intact. And they experienced the immense ac­ tual and potential power inherent in workers' united struggle. This experience has already served them well. When management refused to take back 200 strike leaders, the outraged workers arranged their own media coverage and leafletting to press the union to threaten the hotels with another walkout. At press date all but a handful are back at work. The re­ maining cases are in the grievance process. Union militant Stephen s 16,000 workers struck 54 of the hotels swung into their busiest pUblic. And they won on some issues. Durham, a. picket captain at the Parker New York's most swank hotels tourist season. Management, out to They accepted a new five-year con­ Meridien, said the strikers won "some A for 26 days in June, the fabled bust the union, insisted on a two-tier tract on June 27, winning a 4.7070 year­ valuable intangibles. We held the line sidewalks reverberated with the rumble wage structure, cuts in benefits, a 4070 ly wage increase and improved medical against union-busting. We're still intact of angry, shouting pickets. raise, and weakened job classifications. benefits. However, they did not win and they can't divide us now! When Housekeepers, cooks, waiters, bell­ The hotel workers-overwhelmingly ground on the two-tier wage structure, 16,000 people walk and talk through a hops, clerks, bartenders, and engineers women, people of color and immi­ which they recognize as the bosses' hard strike, they gain incredible solidar­ represented by Hotel and Motel Trades grants-organized rallies and street dem­ newest tool for dividing workers and ity. We're still fighting management's Council, a coalition of eight unions, onstrations, and kept the pressure on the lowering the general living standard. unionbusting attempts, but we have a rejected a settlement offer June 6 as bosses by getting their story out to the They were unable to prevent establish- great deal to build on." 0 Seattle ordinances threatened Human rights & gov't wrongs mayor, who acts under orders from power to hire and fire HRD directors, Commerce, various landlords' associa­ BY HELEN GILBERT the City Attorney's office. and return that power to the Human tions, and rightwing religious bigots. Overnight, discrimination victims Rights Commission, thereby protecting What a sleazy coalition of human he battle to save human rights in lost their right to receive full monetary HRD's political autonomy. The amend­ rights opponents! The "liberal" mayor, Seattle rages on. While local gov­ awards and attorney's fees; to refuse ments also strengthen the political Charles Royer, and City Attorney T ernment pressures Seattle's inadequate settlement offers; and to ideology and sexual orientation protec­ Jewett want to make the ordinances human rights agencies to acquiesce in amend complaints to include further tions of the ordinances. (Won by the unenforceable, since the city is one of their own destruction, the Ad Hoc acts of discrimination, including retali­ civil rights movements in the early '70s, the worst human rights offenders (as Committee for Fair Employment and ation for having filed the complaint. the ordinances were among the first to any cursory check of the city's largest Open Housing is leading the fight to Conversely, the HRD Director was bar discrimination against sexual mi­ department, City Light, will attest). expose, protest, and stop the city's empowered to dismiss a charge if the norities and political dissidents.) In ad­ Landlords' associations are dead-set dition, the Ad Hoc Committee includ­ against having to make alterations to ed for the first time protections in the allow for physically disabled tenants. Open Housing Ordinance for people The rightwing homophobes are em­ with mental, sensory, or physical barked on a holy war against lesbians disabilities. and gay men; they prevented a similar More than 20 individuals from labor, ordinance from being enacted by the feminist, people of color, lesbian/gay, county, and are determined to totally radical, and civil libertarian organiza­ abolish Seattle's protections. HRD and tions met with Councilwoman Jeanette Human Rights Commission bureaucrats Williams in April 1984 to urge accept­ have opted for their own political ance of the amendments. Over the "career development" at the expense next year, two public hearings were of the victimized and oppressed. The held which were attended by hundreds Chamber of Commerce, of course, has of community supporters. From Sep­ always on principle opposed equal op­ tember to December 1984, a Human portunity and anti-discrimination laws. Rights Ordinance Review Panel, con­ \11'.· ... vened by the Council, met and finally Bellwether of resistance' voted to endorse the amendments. In Lining up against the reactionaries, January 1985, the Council voted to however, is a solid phalanx of support J)OCEKAL make the amendments a "priority." for the Ad Hoc Committee. Every sec­ anti-rights machinations. victim failed to attend a fact-finding No action was taken, however. Then tor of the community that has fought The Ad Hoc Committee was formed hearing or brought a parallel suit in in June 1985, Williams called for a to make equality under the law a reali­ in March 1984 after the Seattle Hu­ civil court. Also, the HRD Director series of work sessions, to gather still ty is outraged by the city's betrayal. man Rights Department (HRD) an­ and the Oty Attorney were granted more "input" on the amendments. The Committee's firm stance on be­ nounced its intention to adopt revised authority to unilaterally alter or half of all who suffer discrimination administrative rules which would ef­ amend a finding after it was issued! Tbe bad guys has won it broad respect and helped fectively hamstring enforcement of Williams' stall tactics were clearly unite the movements for social justice. Seattle's Fair Employment Practices Pressing tbe figbt for rights designed to give City Attorney Doug Uniting the movements is the key to and Open Housing Ordinances. De­ In March 1984, the Ad Hoc Com­ Jewett time to gather opposition and the Ad Hoc Committee's ultimate suc­ spite massive community opposition, mittee presented the City Council with beat into submission city agencies that cess, as it is the key to every struggle including 3000 signatures on an Ad amendments to strengthen the enforce­ showed signs of rallying behind the against the current reactionary tide. Hoc petition, HRD overturned long­ ment procedures and restore the origi­ amendments. By the first work ses­ The test of wills over human rights in standing practices for filing, settling, nal intent of the non-discrimination sion, both HRD and the Human Rights Seattle will be an indicator of how the and amending discrimination complaints. laws. (The Council is empowered to Commission were solidly in Jewett's battle will go nationally. And the Ad Responsibility for HRD's treachery make the amendments law.) camp. Also lining up against the Hoc Committee and its supporters are lies with its director, appointed by the The amendments remove the mayor's amendments were the Chamber of determined to win in Seattle. 0 t

4 FREEDOM SocIALISf 0 SUMMER 1985

BY TOM BOOT ers have established squatters' camps The stayaway, unprecedented in the ity in the townships "has been largely near "white" cities. Fierce resistance to breadth of its demands, was the first destroyed" and called for "people's assive waves of rebellion in the regime's attempts to destroy these political strike by major unions in re­ committees on every block which could South Africa, increasing in settlements is a large component of the cent years. Demonstrations rocked the become the embryos of people's M force since August 1984, now current rebellion. Transvaal, to protest police and troop power." threaten the foundations of apartheid Much has been made of supposed occupations of the townships, skyrock­ as never before. government "reforms." But these are eting rents and taxes, and jailings of Insurgent women South Africa is aflame from Cape­ paper concessions to appease interna­ anti-apartheid protesters. Demonstra­ In each of these struggles, Black town to the Transvaal. The Black ma- tional protest. Pretoria's official policy tors demanded reinstatement of dismiss­ women have played a major role. How remains one of racist exploitation and ed workers, resignation of government­ could it be otherwise? Apartheid aims violence. Nowhere in the world do de­ appointed township councilors, and an at the genocidal destruction of African mands for democracy collide so starkly end to "Bantu education," the segre­ culture, family life and community life, with avowed policy as in this police gated schooling that prepares Blacks as prerequisite to consolidating the en­ state. only for servitude. Students also de­ slavement of Black workers. Women are The current uprising is ringing alarm manded an end to the sexual harass­ the traditional organizers and guardians bells in London and Washington as well ment of female students by teachers. of community life, and workers as well, as Pretoria. South Africa is an econom­ Frightened to death by the leadership and their struggle is the resistance of ic, political and strategic cornerstone of of trade unions in creating what one the race. imperialism. It is a vast storehouse of commissioner described as a "general Apartheid afflicts women to an even riches-chromium, manganese, plati­ spirit of revolution" among Black work­ greater degree than it does men. Wom­ num, gold, diamonds-that are vital to ers' police killed 24 people and arrested en are defined by law as perpetual capitalist industry and finance. U.S. in­ over 20 strike leaders. minors, and restricted to the most me­ vestments there reap profits double nial jobs, as domestic servants and agri­ those anywhere in the world. South Repression and rage cultural laborers, in "white" areas. Africa, moreover, controls the shipping , Police routinely charged and tear­ Hundreds of thousands have been lanes for half the oil imported by gassed protests that grew out of the shipped to the "homelands" as "eco­ NATO countries and serves as a coun­ boycott. With army troops they in­ nomically superfluous appendages." In terrevolutionary military and economic vaded dozens of townships, made the bantustans, denied the right to own force throughout southern Africa. house-to-house sweeps, and arrested land because of their sex, they are left With its prosperity and domination hundreds. By the end of November, 96 to rot; employment there is virtually

Striking Black workers defiantly face a gauntlet of apartheid's anned guardians. jority is rising nationwide for racial jus­ tice and economic equality. But Pre­ toria cannot and will not meet these de­ mands. The country is locked in civil war, and revolution looms. The State of Emergency enacted by Pretoria on July 21 underscores the magnitude of the threat to the regime's existence. threatened, the capitalist west is flood­ people had been ing white South Africa with weaponry, killed in police Racist exploitation making it clear that democracy in actions. Apartheid segregates, disenfran­ South Africa can be realized only by But repression chises, and subjugates the 80% of toppling the profit system. only fueled the South Africa's 25 million people who revolt. In March, are non-white-Africans, Coloureds United they stand another general (people of mixed race), Indians and In tempo, scope, and organization, strike exploded in Asians. The Black majority is virtually the anti-apartheid revolt dramatically the Eastern Cape enslaved as a permanent source of surpasses the student-led Soweto upris­ when workers and cheap, captive labor to fuel the profits ing a decade ago. Alliances among students, led by the of white capitalists. ("Black" is used by Black trade unionists, women, unorga­ UDF-affIliated Port the movement in South Africa to de­ nized workers and students have Elizabeth Black note all people of color.) pushed the upsurge to a potent new People's Associa­ The lash of apartheid falls most keen­ level. tion, stayed home lyon Africans, who cannot vote, own Revolt was sparked last August by to protest consumer property in the "white areas," sell their South African president Botha's pro­ price hikes. Again, labor freely, reside permanently in the posal to add two segregated and power­ police fired on peo­ cities, or travel without the most rigid less houses of Parliament to the govern­ ple in the streets, restrictions. ment, one for Coloureds, and one for In­ killing 15. Fundamental to apartheid is the ban­ dians and Asians, in order to divide On April 13, tustan policy, the segregation of these groups off from the African ma­ 60,000 people-the Africans through a program of forced jority, which remains completely ex­ largest gathering of removal to state-designated "indepen­ cluded from representation. oppressed in South dent homelands" constituting a meager The proposal was met with a nation­ Africa's history­ South African women raise fists and voices against apart­ 13% of South Africa's territory and wide election boycott initiated by came to Kwanobule heid and the white supremacist police state. located on the fringes of the Transvaal, the United Democratic Front (UDF), to bury victims the country's industrial heart. Penned a multi-racial coalition of radical, labor, massacred by police on March 21, the nonexistent. Yet in these wastelands, in these arid, infertile hellholes, African student, community and women's orga­ 25th anniversary of the Sharpeville women must somehow support their workers must seek employment in nizations, many of them affiliated with massacre. The crowd rallied against children, the aged, and the infirm. "white" South Africa as contract mi­ the outlawed African National Con­ apartheid for six hours. Police and the Women have led the anti pass-law grant laborers with no citizenship gress (ANC), the Black majority's lead­ army, afraid their intervention would fight since 1913, preventing the exten­ rights, subject at any time to banish­ ing political organization. Despite se­ trigger an explosion, stayed away. sion of the laws to them until 1956. It ment to the "homelands." A key aim of vere penalties for not voting, only 18% Black rage is increasingly directed took beatings, killings, the burning of the bantustan policy is to "de-urbanize" of Coloureds and 16% of Indians and against the Black councils that "govern" homes, and the banning and imprison­ the Black workforce; Pretoria fears Asians voted. The measure passed be­ the townships under the direction of ment of their leaders to impose the above all revolt in the massive town­ cause whites retain an overwhelming the white regime. Many councilors and laws. ships that ring the "white" cities. voting majority. Black policemen have been killed and In the '50s, women stepped up their Cementing this policy are the in­ The boycott broadened into demon­ their homes torched in the uprisings. fight against both the regime's broad famous pass laws that regulate where strations and strikes that culminated in Rejection of stooge councils is so over­ policies and special oppression of Blacks may live and work, where they November in a two-day general strike whelming that in recent elections to fill women. Leaders emerged, such as may travel, and what jobs they may organized by students, women's groups vacancies on the Lekoa town council, Lilian Ngoyi, Florence Matomela, and hold, purposely separating huge num­ and trade unions in the Transvaal. Five no candidates stepped forward. the white Communist Party member bers of Black family members. In defi­ hundred thousand Black workers and In April, the National Executive Ray Alexander, many from trade ance of these restrictions, Black work- 400,000 students went out. Council of the ANC stated that author- unions which had opened to women ======zzc:aT'

FREEDOM SocIALlSf 0 SUMMER 1985 •

during the post-war industrial boom. on the ANC. The ANC's vagueness in These three women were elected of­ defining its socialist goals purposely ficers of the Federation of South Af­ allows for differing political ideologies rican Women (FSAW) at its founding within it, most sharply defined in the conference in 1954. An FSAW docu­ differences between socialists and those ment prepared for the 1955 Congress of who adhere to the limited nationalist the People, "What Women Demand," demand for majority rule. The latter indicted the apartheid system and was would be satisfied with a Zimbabwe­ one of the most wide-rangingfeminiYt type solution, where majority rule was manifestos to appear at that time. It negotiated with the proviso that capital­ demanded an end to the pass laws and ism would be protected. migratory labor; day care, birth control, The socialists, while currently voic­ and full-paid maternity leave for wom­ ing only democratic demands, realize en of all races; the right to vote and that civil rights are unattainable in equal pay for women; free quality edu­ capitalist South Africa and that Black CAPE PROVINCE cation for children of all races; proper freedom can only be achieved through housing and fair rent in the townships; socialist reconstruction. ~ price controls on basic commodities; The ANC's activities and demands .~ equal distribution of the land. -for nationalization of monopolies and c5le SOUTH AFRICA Women currently lead the battles to land reform; stepped-up guerrilla war- ~ preserve the squatters' camps, erected fare; prolonged strikes supported by I!! ~ in defiance of Pretoria's attempts to armed resistance; and "people's power" ~ III Bantustans "de-urbanize" Blacks and ship them off within the townships-are aimed, ac- ~ to the bantustans. Their decades-long cording to ANC's president Oliver intransigence has made the squatters' Tambo, at "seizure of power by the CJl" camps permanent, although officially people and the building of a new soci­ ever, equating race with class in the ~ and arrests and passing union resolu­ unrecognized, townships with schools, ety in a united, democratic, and non­ lonial world, and therefore holding the tions denouncing apartheid. In Decem­ clinics, and local political administra­ racial South Africa." But the ANC false notion that all whites are capitalist ber, an inspiring example of solidarity tion. The massive battles at Crossroads, must come to terms with the fact that oppressors, it insists that only Blacks was shown by San Francisco Bay Area outside Capetown, in 1978 and again the "people's revolution" in South can fight for South African liberation. longshoremen who refused for ten days this February have twice foiled the gov­ Africa can be nothing less than socia/iYt AZAPO takes serious issue with ANC's to unload South African cargo. ernment's "relocation" efforts. revolution, and it must educate its con­ call for multi-racial SOlidarity, and re­ In April, the divestment issue ex­ Women are also fighting in guerrilla stituency accordingly. Attempts to jects all alliances with white South ploded on campuses from Berkeley to struggles and participating increasingly maintain unity at any cost with pro­ African freedom fighters. Columbia and brought U.S. protest to a in strikes. And by reaching out to white capitalist elements will lead to a confu­ Race, though, is not class, but an arti­ new level, against not only apartheid, South African women and feminists in­ sion of aims and strategies and provide ficial construct invented by capitalists but issues as diverse as the Central ternationally, they lead in building a the government an to perpetuate super­ American war drive and on-campus re­ worldwide network of support. opportunity to di­ exploitation of cruitment of students by the CIA. Women's demand for race and sex vide and conquer dark -skinned work­ The call for divestment brings shrieks equality simultaneously attacks apart­ the ANC. ers by splitting the of protest from the Wall StreetlPretoria heid's subjugation of Black labor and Majority rule for class against itself. axis. They cry that disinvestment the destruction of the African commu­ Blacks is a pipe­ The ANC's call for would "take jobs away" from South nity. Their fusion of social, political and dream within South white rejection of African Blacks-while having "no ef­ economic issues was the basis for the Africa's existing apartheid has not fect" on South Africa's economy! success of the recent general strikes, economic frame­ gone unheard: This reaction confrrms the good ef­ and it will carry the liberation move­ work, built as it is whites hove fought fect of the campaign. Mired in reces­ ment to victory. on the dispossession and died for Afri­ sion, South Africa depends more than and super-exploita­ can liberation. ever on the $15 billion invested there Which road to freedom? tion of the African These include Neil by U.S. business, not to mention the The revolutionary nature and scope majority. Apartheid Dagget, an African $4.5 billion in U.S. bank loans. And vir­ of the uprising has split the government is inseparable from Food and Cannery tually all South African Black leaders between those who favor the preserva­ South African cap­ Workers Union say they will gladly risk economic dis­ tion of white supremacy through in­ italism. And the leader murdered by ruption from disinvestment. creased repression and a growing sector struggle leads inex- police, and Ruth The disinvestment campaign is a which argues that negotiated transition 0rably to expropria- First, communist growing success and must be stepped anti-apartheid fight­ up. It must continue to focus outrage er killed by a letter more and more on the U.S. banks, bus­ bomb. The Black inesses, universities, agencies, and gov­ Sash, an organi­ ernment, which profit from racism, sex­ zation of white ism and labor exploitation at home and South African worldwide. These oppressions are just women, has been a as integral to U.S. capitalism as apart­ consistent foe of heid is to South Africa, and their over­ apartheid since the throw is equally crucial. '50s despite the li­ mitations of its Forward! liberal outlook. Worldwide outrage over the abomi­ nation that is apartheid stands as a ring­ Bringing it home ing affirmation of 011 people's right to In the u.s., multi­ democratic freedoms. racial solidarity iY The anti-apartheid movement must coalescing in support Initial organizing by the Black now openly acknowledge that these movement sparked anti-apartheid of South African lib­ freedoms can be won only through the protests across U.s. campuses. Four eration, and is reviv­ destruction of the capitalist South Af­ hundred demonstrators were ar­ ing protest against rican state, that nothing less than ~ rested during three weeks of pro­ u.s. injustices as cialist revolution will stop the corporate tests against U.C. Berkeley's South well, especially in subjugation of the Black majority. African investments. the Black communi­ Only workers' rule in South Africa ty and on college can ensure national liberation, end ~ campuses. The historic relationship of nomic serfdom, achieve full equality for mutual support and inspiration between women and children, and lay the basis to majority rule is the only way to pre­ tion of the capitalists and the redistribu­ U.S. Black and South African hberation for real multi-racial harmony between serve capitalism in South Africa. tion of wealth to those who create it. struggles is once again sparking a radical Africans, Coloured people, Asians, in­ This wing of the government wants Anything less will mean bloody defeat resurgence in the U.S. Black movement dians, and white radicals. to open talks with the African National and unending degradation for Black Anti-apartheid demonstrations mush­ All the world's people have a stake in Congress, which commands the vast South Africa. roomed after the November elections, f~ South Africa's socialist upheaval. A majority of Black political support. But cusing on closure of South African con­ workers' South Africa will aid Africa's the ANC, from its headquarters-in-exile Race and class sulates and divestment by U.S. frrms in liberation movements, which will flour­ in Lusaka, Zambia, has rejected neg~ Clashes have broken out in recent South Africa. It is estimated that 3000 ish once the apartheid army and ~ tiations, though it has not ruled out in­ months between the United Democrat­ people have been arrested for civil disobe­ nomy are dismantled. A free South Af­ formal talks with individual govern­ ic Front, which adheres to the basic dience since protests started. In several rica will hasten the destruction of world ment representatives if they are based precepts of the ANC, and the Azanian cities, the consulates have been shut imperialism, which is dependent to the on agreement that apartheid must be People's Organization (AZAPO). down, and five states and numerous cities marrow on the continued exploitation totally dismantled. AZAPO, founded in 1979, was influ­ have passed divestment legislation of of Africa's labor and resources. The ANC is committed to building a enced by South Africa's Black con­ varying strength. South Africa's revolutionary leader­ broad movement to overthrow apart­ sciousness movement and its reVolu­ Blacks and other people of color, rad­ ship can help lay the basis for the as­ heid, and only then moving on to the tionary spokesperson, Steve Biko. icals, artists, Jews, feminists, labor and cent of African and all humanity from struggle for socialism. This adherence AZAPO's program admirably em­ the lesbian/gay movement have united capitalist barbarism by openly proclaim­ to a sharply delineated tw~stage theory phasizes anti-racist, anti-sexist and anti­ solidly in the protests. Labor has shown ing and preparing the struggle for of revolution reflects the strong influ­ imperialist demands, the struggle for a resurgence of political activism, par­ socialism. ence of the Stalinist Communist Party national liberation and socialism. How- ticipating nationwide in demonstrations Amandla! Power! 0 ==77

• FItUooM SocLWsr 0 SUMMER 1985

Australia: the Alison Thorne case

that representing its membership is more important that maintaining a cozy relationship with the ALP. Support Widens The fight goes on Pro-Thome unionists are currently working to build increased support in TTUV branches and among other unions. The New South Wales Teach­ for ers Federation (NSWTF) and the Vic­ torian Secondary Teachers Association (VSTA) have passed resolutions of support and asked that their union journals publish articles on the case. Teache TTUV, NSWTF, and VSTA branches have all written the Education Minister demanding that Thome be reinstated. Cathie has so far rejected the demands out of hand. Free Thome plans to take her case to the State Equal Opportunity Board in mid-July to gain reversal of the rejec­ tion of her application to teach at Tot­ tenham Technical School. Supporters Speech are gearing up for a big publicity blitz around these bearings. Thome meanwhile is keeping the case in the public eye through radio pondence was critical of the anti­ interviews and press articles. Fight Alison Thome Oeft) worker, anti-democratic role played by and niembers of the Gay Legal Rights the ALP leadership, which was more Going international Coa6tion protest the antigay witchhunt concerned with electing Labor candi­ Support for Thome's case bas outside Melbourne Magistrates' Court. dates at any cost than in supporting a les­ spread rapidly to Europe and North bian teacher and possibly losing votes. America. BY DAVID FAGAN On March 30, a TTUV Branch Of­ The last conference of the Interna­ mitted to take the job. ficers meeting voted two-to-one after tional Association of Lesbians and esbian educator Alison Thome's As a result of a shuffling of Cabinet considerable debate to wage a high­ Gay Men (IGA), held in Helsinki, battle for. teachers' free speech posts in the wake of the ALP's victory powered public campaign, focusing on made victory for Alison Thome a pri­ L rights continues to rock the Aus­ in the March 2 Victorian State Gov­ the free speech rights of public em­ ority. IGA also highlighted the case in tralian labor movement. ernment elections, Fordham was re­ ployees, to win back Thome's job. the first issue of the lOA Pink Book, Aligned on opposite sides of the placed by Ian Cathie as Education The vote also called on TTUV to pres­ a valuable source of information on fight are government officials of the Minister. Cathie bas shown no more sure Education Minister Cathie to re­ the legal, political, and social status of Australian Labor Party (ALP) and inclination than Fordham to reinstate instate Thome by the opening of the lesbians and gay men throughout the rank-and-fIle unionists who support Thome, despite the fact that failure to second school term on May 27. Were world. Letters of support keep cascad­ Thome. The rank and fIle are de­ do so is in direct contravention of Thome not reinstated by then, the ing in from Canada. the U.S., Sweden, manding that the ALP live up to its ALP policy on the rights of public plan called for an open TTUV meeting Austria, Britain, and beyond. workingclass program and defend employees and the state's own Equal to consider further action, including a These international supporters rec­ workers' right to speak freely, without Opportunity Act. possible strike. ognize the paramount importance of fear of boss or rightwing reprisal. The Branch Officers vote repudiated Thome's case. Workers' free speech Battling the bureaucrats the union's previous low-key strategy rights, after all, are jeopardized in Banished from the classroom The labor I community campaign to as well as a weak TTUV State Execu­ their countries as well as in Australia. Thome's fight began in November reinstate Thome has gained great sup­ tive Council motion that eschewed a They recognize especially the need to 1983, when she was forcibly trans­ port, especially among fellow unionists public campaign in favor of backroom expose the ALP bureaucrats' attempt­ ferred from her teaching position at in the Technical Teachers Union of bargaining with Cathie. The motion ed sell-out of Thome and to push Glenroy Technical School in Mel­ Victoria (TTUV). Fifteen TTUV locals specifically sought to prevent Thome them to reverse course. bourne, Victoria, to an administrative have endorsed Thome's fight and the from speaking publicly about her case. Above all, Thome supporters know post at the office of the Victorian union is providing legal support. One month after the Branch Offi­ that without the freedom to speak out, Department of Education. TTUV has produced a 30-minute cers meeting, however, the State Exec­ all other democratic rights-to organ­ Thome, a socialist, feminist, and video outlining the case which was utive Council unanimously overturned ize and associate freely, to hold dis­ spokesperson for the Victorian Gay sent to all union branches in the state. the March 30 vote, effectively scotch­ senting opinions-are dead letter issues Legal Rights Coalition (GLRC), had In addition, the union bas prepared a ing the call for an open meeting and for workers. So they're speaking their publicly defended members of the kit to help mobilize support, which possible strike action, at least for the minds now in support of Thome's Paedophile Support Group who were includes a poster, petitions, and a de­ time being. May 27 has passed, right to do likewise. arrested on charges of "conspiracy to tailed chronology of events. Thome has not been reinstated, and Please send letters demanding corrupt public morals." Although Nevertheless, rank-and-file militants her supporters are now busy organiz­ Thome's reinstatement to: Mr. Ian charges against the men were dropped have had to continually push the ing to mount greater rank-and-file Cathie, Minister of Education, Parlia­ and the "conspiracy" law revoked, union leadership to take a firm stand. pressure on the bureaucrats. ment House, Spring Street, Melbourne Thome became a victim of a rightwing During the recent state elections, TTUV has the clout to mount a 3000, Australia. Copies of the letters assault on democratic rights. Thome supporters had to fight against huge public campaign that would should be sent to: GLRC/Committee An hysterical media witcbbunt led censorship of pro-Thome correspon­ quickly win back Thome's job. But to Reinstate Alison Thome, P.O. Box by conservative radio station 3AW, dence in the TTUV paper. The corres- first the leadership must be" convinced 35, Fitzroy 3065, Australia. 0 along with denunciations of Thorne in Parliament, goaded Victorian Edu­ cation Departmental head Robert Fordham and State Premier John CALIFORNIA Los Angeles: 1918 w. 7th St., #204, Los Cam-both ALP representatives-into Angeles, CA 90057. 213-413-1350. yanking her from the classroom. San Francisco Bay Area: National Office, RadicaJ Women 523-A Valencia St., San FranCisco, CA The government has persisted in its 94110.415-864·1278. intention to banish Thome from is the revolutionary wing of NEW YORK teaching despite her excellent record. New York City: 32 Union Square East, Attempts by two schools to hire her the womens movement and the feminist Rm. 307, New York, NY 10003. were thwarted by Fordham. in 212-677-7002. In December 1984, Thome was pro­ vanguard of the left. Immersed the daily OREGON Portland: 2114 N.E. 13th, Portland, OR visionally appointed to a teaching struggle against racism, sexism, antigay 97212.503-249-1710. position at Tottenham Technical WASHINGTON School. But opposition by Fordham bigotry, and labor exploitation, Port Angeles: 512 E. 7th, Port Angeles, and Cain resulted in a letter to Thome WA 98362. 206-452-7534. RWs history and inI1uence prove Seattle: Freeway Hall, 3815 - 5th Ave. from Director General of Education N.E., Seattle, WA 98105. 206-632-1815. Norman Curry denying her appoint­ that women are decisive to Spokane:W. 3005 Boone, Spokane, WA 99210. 509-327-9196. ment in direct violation of the teach­ Tacoma: P.O. Box 5847, Tacoma, WA ers' contract. The letter, invoking Sec­ the US. and to world revolution. 98405. 206-272-8086. tion 63 (2) of the Victorian Teaching • • • Act, asserted-without evidence-that AUSTRALIA Melbourne: P.O. Box 334, Fitzroy, VIC it was not "desirable. in the public in­ Join us! 3065. 03-386·3452. terest of efficiency" that she be per- FUmoM SocIALIST 0 SUMMER 1985 at

Not surprisingly, the bosses sent their goons after The Empire Zinc struggle, immortalized by Salt and-file intransigence. Feminism and radicalism are the film makers. During the filming of Salt of tbe of the Eartb, retains its galvanizing effect all the an important part of the Chicana and Mexicana her­ Eartb, anyone involved with it was harassed and more because it was one of very few successful itage, a central asset of the Chicano people. threatened. Many lost their jobs and some were de­ strikes under McCarthyism.It had unbeatable pow­ Chicano workers are indeed a nemesis of capi­ ported. The final scenes of the film had to be con­ er, against almost overwhelming odds, because it talists in this country, yet they are even more: their cluded without Revueltas, because the INS deported combined the race and sex liberation struggles historic and ongoing ties with Mexicano, Central her. The last reels were shot in a state of near-siege; within the labor struggle. As such, it heralded the and South American workers make them an interna­ the New Mexico highway patrol had to be dis­ future course of American labor. tional force. Just as the Mexican Revolution sparked patched to guard cast and crew from physical at­ Chicano labor militance early in this century, Chica­ tack. Shortly after the film was completed, the Conclusion nos have imparted renewed vigor and creative orga­ Mine, Mill, and Smelter Workers union hall and the This section has examined early Chicano resis­ nizing strategies to Mexican workers across the home of one of the actors were burned to the tance to Anglo encroachment in the Southwest, as border. These close ties with Mexican labor make ground in nearby Carlsbad. 115 well as Chicano labor history (excluding agricultural Chicanos the living link between the U.S. working Despite all this, the worker-actors and the profes­ struggles). As Mexicano farmers evolved into Chica­ class and the Latin American revolutions. sional actors and technicians stuck it out. Together no workers, their center of activity shifted from land Chicano labor, like that of Blacks, Asian Ameri­ they created a monumental movie that is one of the struggles to factory, mine, and farm labor battles. cans, women, and other super-exploited workers, is most powerful workirtgclass films ever made. And even if labor's story is only partly told here, a the bedrock on which capitalism was built and main­ Not only the production, but the distribution of clear picture still emerges of the Chicano working tains itself. But the very factors that shaped the the film, was hounded by the McCarthyites. It was class as a whole. Every line of its history attests to special oppression of Chicano workers, above all boycotted by distributors in the U.S. for many years the Chicano role as a vanguard of the American racism and U.S. imperialism's domination of Mex­ and only shown here in small art film theaters, or working class. Chicanos would not hold this position ico, have fashioned the means of destruction of capi­ virtually smuggled in over the Canadian border to if they were not fully integrated into that class. talism itself. Race oppression has made the Chicano be shown before small groups of workers at unpub­ La Raza assumed early leadership in the South­ labor movement a double-edged weapon, capable of licized meetings. west fight against labor exploitation, which fell most advancing labor's general economic demands and at But the boycott could not destroy the movie's heavily on Chicanos and other workers of color. the same time striking at the political and social col­ fame or impact. Over the years, it has gained in­ Chicanos were among the first to resist the racism of or barriers that fetter the U.S. working class. creasing stature as a classic labor film which the bosses, which singled them out for special exploi­ The Chicano workers' movement incorporates the dramatizes a beautiful and heroic Chicano labor tation and divided all workers. And Chicanos strug­ myriad strands of anti-capitalist and anti-imperialist struggle and the profound changes it made in the gled against white worker racism and the labor bu­ revolt in this hemisphere. Together with other mili­ cultural patterns of the community. The conclusion reaucracy that foments it. Chicano workers have tant workers and oppressed groups, they will tighten of the film expresses it all: time and again organized to unite workers of all col­ the revolutionary noose around the necks of the ex­ ors to strike at the common class enemy. ploiters. D Ramon: Esperanza ..•tbank you •••for They have led innumerable battles for decent your dignity. You were rigbt. Togetber we can wages and working conditions, for the right to • • • pusb everytbing up as we go. unionize, and for radical and socialist transforma­ The next installment of The Cbicano Struggle: A tion of society. They have proved their mettle during Racial or a National Movement chronicles the Esperanza's voice: Tben I knew we bad periods of labor upsurge, such as the rise of the CIO, organizing done by Chicano farmworkers, from the won sometbing tbey could never take away­ and during the McCarthyite reaction. spectacular unionizing campaigns early in the cen­ sometbing I could leave to our cbildren-and Throughout all these events, Chicano women mili­ tury to the great mobilizations for better wages and tbey, tbe salt of tbe eartb, would inberit it.ll6 tants and organizers supplied leadership and rank- conditions of the '60s and '70s.

Notes to the Text

1. Freedom Socialist. Vol. 8, No.4, (Seattle, W A: Freedom Socialist About the Authors Publications, Winter 1983), pp. 7-13 (Installment I), and Freedom Socialist. Vol. 9, No. I, (Autumn 1984), pp. 9-24 (Installment 11). 2. Matt S. Meier and Feliciano Rivera, The Chicanos: A History of Mex­ ican Americans (New York: Wang and Hill, 1983), pp. 81-82. 3. Rodolfo Acuna, Occu\lied America: A History of Chicanos, 2nd ed. Yolanda Alaniz' en­ Megan Cornisb was (New York: Harper & Row, 1981), pp. 113-114. tire life experience led eminently qualified for 4. Joan W. Moore with Alfredo Cuellar, Mexican Americans (Englewood ber to become a tbeore­ tbe task of co-authoring Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1970), p. 141. tician of La Raza. this document. A long­ 5. Acuna, Occupied America: A History of Chicanos, pp. 34-37. Raised as a farmwork­ time radical, sbe was ac­ 6. Meier and Rivera, The Chicanos, pp. 90-91. er in tbe Yakima Valley tive in tbe anti-Vietnam 7. Rodolfo Acuna, Occupied America: The Chicano's Struggle Toward Liberation (San Francisco: Canfield Press; New York: Harper & Row, of Eastern Wasbington war movement during 1972), p. 49. -known as tbe Little the 1960s, and bas been 8. Acuna, Occupied America: A History of Chicanos, pp. 37-39. Mississippi of tbe Nortb­ a member of tbe FSP 9. Ibid., p. 67. since 1972. 10. Ibid., pp. 64-68. west-Alaniz was aware 11. Ibid., pp. 66-67. from tbe beginning of tbe racism and poverty tbat Cornisb bas devoted years of study and researcb, 12. Meier and Rivera, The Chicanos, pp. 169-170. bligbt tbe lives of Cbicanos in tbe U.S. in collaboration witb Alaniz, to tbe question of na­ 13. Alfredo Mirande and Evangelina Enriquez, La Chicana: The Mexican­ Sbe became a student activist at tbe University of tionalities. Her paper, The National Question in the American Woman (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1979), United States, wbicb applies tbe Leninist criteria for p.203. Wasbington in Seattle during tbe early '70s. Her 14. Carlos Larralde, Mexican American Movements and Leaders (Los battles witb sexists and cultural nationalists and ber nationbood to tbe Black and Native American liber­ Alamitos, CA: Hwong Publishing Co., 1976), pp. 114-116. experience in belping to organize a campus union ation struggles in tbe U.S., was presented at tbe first 15. Ibid., pp. 116-117. led ber to become a socialist feminist. Sbe joined tbe national conference of tbe Committee for a Revolu­ 16. Mirande and Enriquez, La Chicana, p. 222. Freedom Socialist Party in 1976. tionary Socialist Party in October 1978. It was 17. Acuna, Occupied America: The Chicano's Struggle Toward Libera- tion, pp. 155-157. Alaniz firmly believes in tbe political integration adopted as a resolution at tbe 1982 national conven­ 18. Acuna, Occupied America: A History of Chicanos, pp. 193, 195, 307. of all movements for social cbange. Her stauncb de­ tion of tbe Freedom Socialist Party. 19. Meier and Rivera, The Chicanos, p. 171. fense of ber ideas bas won ber respect at race and Cornisb is currently a member of tbe Employee 20. Mirande and Enriquez, La Chicana, p. 94. sex liberation conferences around tbe country. Committee for Equal Rigbts at City Ligbt (CERCL) 21. Magdalena Mora and Adelaida R. Del Castillo, eds., Mexican Women Tbis document is ber testament and tribute to tbe in Seattle, battling a management tbat bas gained in the United States: Strug!des Past and Present (Los Angeles: Univer­ sity of California, Chicano Studies Research Center Publications, Occa­ revolutionary power of La Raza. national notoriety for race and sex discrimination. sional Paper No.2, 1980), pp. 160-162. 22. Mirande and Enriquez, La ChiCana, pp. 204-205,220. 23. Ibid., pp. 205-206. 24. Ibid., pp. 206, 213. 41. Carey McWilliams, North from Mexico: The Spanish-Speaking People 63. Mora and Del Castillo, Mexican Women in the United States, 25. Ibid., pp. 206-207. of tbe United States (New York: Greenwood Press, 1968), p. 197. pp. 174-175. 26. Martha P. Cotera, Diosa y Hembra: The History and Heritage of 64. Ibid_, p. 175. Chicanas in the U.s. (Austin, Texas: Statehouse Printing, 1916), p_ 68. 42. Acuna, Occupied America: A History of Chicanos, p. 91. 65. Ibid. 27. Mirande and Enriquez, La Chicana, p. 222. 43. Ibid., pp. 142-143. McWilliams, North from Mexico, pp_ 197-199. 66. Art Preis, Labor's Giant Step: Twenty Years of the CIO (New York: 28. Philip S. Foner, History of tbe Labor Movement in tbe United States: 44. Pathfmder Press, 1972), pp. 86-87. VoL II: From the Founding ofthe American Federation of Labor to 45. California AFL-CIO News: Official Publication of the Califotnia lAbor 67. Mora and Del Castillo, Mexican Women in the United States, p_ 115. tbe Emergence of American Imperiali

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT-PAGE 111

--J v~ -- ~"''''YV1U110n. At n t-; '0 "'urltl revoluti &IH"~llon o nne . on. T • ~ . .:zaGim ==

22 FREEDoM SociAusT 0 SUMMER 1985

86. Ibid., p. 236. 96. Ibid., p. 158. 108. Michael Wilson, screenplay, Deborah Silverton Rosenfelt, commen· ffT. Ibid., pp. 242·243. 97. Ibid., p. 157. tary, SIIJt of the Earth (Old Westbury, New York: The Feminist Press, 1953, 1978), p. 118. 88. Ibid., p. 243. 98. Ibid., p. 160. 109. Ibid. 89. Ibid., pp. 257·259. 99. Ibid 110. Ibid., p. 122. 90. Ibid., 158. 100. Ibid., pp. 160·161. 111. Ibid. 101. Ibid., p. 161. 91. David Caute, The Great Fear: The Auti-Communist Purge Under 112. Ibid., p. 125. Truman ad Illsenbower (New York: Simon and Schuster, 1978), 102. Ibid. . p.I06. 113. Ibid., p. 126. Radical Women co·founder and longtime FSP leader 103. Ibid., pp. 161·162. Gloria Martin, a friend of Virginia Jencks, has often heard her speak 92. Aculla, Occupied America: A HDtoryofOJicaoos, p. 158. 104. Ibid., p. 338. on this point. 93. Ibid., p. 159. lOS. Ibid. 114. Ibid., pp. 108, 128. 94. Caute, The Great Fear, pp. 226, 587. 106. Ibid 115. Ibid, p. 132. 95. Aculla, Occupied America: A History C!f Chicanos, pp. 158·159. 107. Ibid., pp. 331·332, 338. 116. Ibid., p. 90.

Supplement Cover: Design by Kay Eriksen and Helen Gilbert. In the foreground is a detail of a mural in Santa Fe, New Mexico, "Liberty and Education," painted by Los Artes Guadalupanos de Azthin. The eagle is a popular symbol of La Huelga (the strike or the struggle); superimposed is a section from Diego Rivera's epic mural, "The Mexican War of Independence-191O" at the National Palace in Mexico City.

diction inevitably place Sandinista pol­ Latin America-Mexico, Venezuela, Peace, and Justice were a golden op­ icy on a collision course with itself. Columbia, and Panama-in an effort portunity to build an antiwar move­ • • . Nicaragua to reach a negotiated settlement to the ment to match the sweep and depth of The bottom line fighting in Central America. These na­ the U.S. offensive. They were a start, Besieged The gathering storm of imperialist tions want to quell anti-capitalist rebel­ but they must go farther. attack may speed resolution of Nicara­ lion before it spreads to their borders. The April actions commendably gua's internal contradictions. Whereas Until now, the Sandinistas were the linked the war drive to cutbacks at 'rampage 1 Sandinista policy bas been shaped by biggest boosters of the Contadora ini­ home and the hated apartheid regime encouraged the arming and self-organ­ the desire to make "peace" with the tiative. In February, Daniel Ortega in South Africa. But they down played ization of the workers and peasants, U.S., imperialist policy is predicated stated that Nicaragua would comply the connection to other forms of re-' knowing full well that survival of the on the necessity to destroy the revolu­ unilateraUy with two key Contadora pression in the U.S.: the sexist, homo­ revolution depended on it. But herein tion. If the Sandinistas replace their provisions: expelling 100 Cuban mili­ phobic, racist, and redbaiting bigotry lies the Sandinistas' dilemma: They policy of accommodation with one tary advisors and calling an indefinite that divides the working class and have also committed themselves to based on the necessity to rally united halt to all new arms purchases. lubricates the war drive. They abdi­ "pluralist," multi-class democracy anti-imperialist resistance, they will be So eager were the Sandinistas for cated on the chance to demonstrate based on a mixed economy; i.e., they forced to deepen anti-capitalist strug­ peace that, according to a March arti­ how austerity, repression, and war are have dedicated themselves to enforcing gle at home in connection with this cle in NA CLA Report on the A meri­ necessary products of capitalism. They continued capitalist exploitation of Ni­ resistance. cas, they were willing to consider a refused to prioritize organizing the caragua's workers and peasants-the Regardless of what the Sandinistas permanent U.S. military base in Hon­ super~oppressed and super-militant acknowledged life and breath of the do, the U.S. intends to destroy the duras as "legitimate" to U.S. security! U.S. majority-working women, peo­ revolution. revolution. Wall Street survives on the The world knows how the U. S. has ple of color, lesbians and gay men, Nicaragua's contending classes and plunder of Third World labor and re­ responded to Nicaragua's overtures! and immigrants. social forces are in collision with one sources, and by virtue of the military The organizers opted to downplay another. The capitalists, tied ultimately dictatorships it bankrolls. Imperialism Negotiating from strength these "divisive"issues which might to imperialism via the world market, must crush any move toward real de­ The Sandinistas' insistence on de­ "alienate" the reformists and bureau­ will not long co-exist with a socialist mocracy by the exploited millions of tente has been the surest route to revo­ crats who dominate the U.S. labor system of planned production that is the Americas, or pass out of existence. lutionary suicide. But Defense Minister and social change movements. Setting in fundamental conflict with anarchic Ortega's June 6 speech suggests that a dangerous undemocratic precedent, market relations. Capitalists sabotage A step back from disaster the Sandinistas aren't ready to give up they excluded open socialists from the production, support the contras, and On June 19, Nicaragua rejected the the ghost. He promises a Latin Ameri­ national steering committee to keep slander the revolution in their news­ proposed agenda for the latest round can conflagration should the U.S. at­ the movement "respectable." And in paper, La Prensa. The popular masses of Contadora peace talks, saying it tempt to destroy Nicaragua's sover­ many cities, political parties were on the other hand, above all the work­ was useless to pursue a negotiated eignty by direct military action. The barred from endorsing the marches. ing women, youth, and Indians, are peace while the U.S. was sponsoring a fact that Latin America is a simmering This concern with respectability and demanding control of their social, eco­ war in Central America. anti-imperialist cauldron is the hope the idea that nothing but a single-issue nomic, and political destiny. The Contadora talks have been for Nicaragua's revolution. liberal perspective can draw the masses The logic and reality of class contra- sponsored by four key U.S. allies in The Sandinistas must sene this hope to the movement, signifies that these ...______.. and begin immediately to build ties antiwar leaders attribute to U.S. work­ with the revolutionary movement in ers their own bigoted and pessimistic each country. outlook. They also fear the kind of They must repudiate the pursuit of movement that could actually stop the s a "settlement" that legitimizes U.S. war drive-a movement that will fight bUSter ' interests in Central America. Such a the capitalists. SS $25 000 settlement implies that the U.S. has a The approach of the reformists eerily o BO dOur' l' right to be in the region. The U.S. parallels the Sandinistas' pursuit of GWe toppe d Vrive goa · presence in Central America must be "co-existence" with imperialism. Hope­ condemned openly and consistently as fully if the Sandinistas depart from ac­ fS fun a violation of Nicaraguan and regional commodation, they will provoke a sim­ sovereignty. ilar abandonment of liberalism in the au Thanks to all Sandinista propaganda must use the U.S. movement. Ppo,f818 OUr prospect of Latin American upheaval to convince the world that Nicaragua, as Democracy-the key lis llIise a ~~ the standard-bearer of hemispheric re­ No matter how Sandinista policy volt, negotiates from a position of develops, the u.s. movement must $30,000"9 stmagth. And to show the oppressed radicalize. It must author a multi-issue Latin American masses that Nicaragua agenda which recognizes that Nicara­ will come to their aid when they rise up. gua and the u.s. super-oppressed fIght Can U.S. and Latin American capi­ the same enemy, and that their strug­ talists afford the economic, political, gles are inseparable priorities. and military consequences should an The movement must be democratic, invasion ignite the hemisphere? Let with open discussion, protecting the them imagine the cost in El Salvador, free speech rights of all, including Guatemala, South America, Mexico, radicals. Only in this way can the anti­ and, fmally, the U.S. war movement attract and hold the The capitalists wiN make war, legions of grassroots activists who de­ sooner than later, because they must. mand the clarifIcation of issues and But meanwhile, the Sandinistas can strategies that comes when everyone is sow discord among them, and weaken allowed to express ideas and work out them while simultaneously galvanidng policy collectively. the enemies of imperialism. On the basis of democracy and mu­ tual respect, the movement can devel­ ElNorte op into a national coalition that em­ The oppressed will respond to San­ braces all the progressive social move­ dinista boldness, especially in the ments. What began in April can swift­ U.S., where the reformist leadership ly develop into an unstoppable anti­ of the antiwar movement has used imperialist, anti-capitalist offensive. Fundralsing Is essential to carrying on past Sandinista timidity as a pretext to Boldness and democracy in the U.S. our business of bossbustIng. And we're proud to say blunt the sharp edges of a potentially movement will ignite not only the our three-montb-Iong fund drive overshot Its goal. But it's radical upsurge. hemisphere, but the world. It is the This spring saw mass U.S. antiwar surest-the only-way to defend Nica­ not·too to give - our winning teaml late Join protest, the fllSt since Reagan's re­ ragua, ourselves, and humanity'S Send donations to: Freedom Socialist, 3815-5th Ave. N.E., Seattle, WA 98105. election. The April Actions for Jobs, future. 0 -- -- ====--===:------

FREEDOM SocIALIsT 0 SUMMER 1915 23

BY ROBERT CRISMAN

hat now for the world Trotsky­ ist movement? W The 12th World Congress of the Fourth International (Fn, the highest body of official international Trotskyism, was held in February. It should have been the scene of an in­ Behind the tense political clash between the FI ma­ jority and the U.S. Socialist Workers Party (SWP) over the validity of the theory of Permanent Revolution, the "gentlemen's programmatic cornerstone of Trotsky­ ism. But the battle remains unfought, boding ill for the future of the world revolutionary organization. The SWP openly disavows Permanent agreement" Revolution, which states in essence that humanity's struggle for real democ­ racy and social justice can only be con­ of the world capitalist economy, were task, and indefinitely postpone the s0- tions-it is in no practical way bound summated thro~gh socialist revolution tied to imperialism and Czarist reaction. cialist struggle. He insisted that workers by the vote and will ignore it. and the creation of a workers' state. Worker/peasant unity, he said, was ne­ should form unconditional alliances In refusing to wage a political fight The SWP now holds that "workers' and cessary to make the democratic revolu­ with rich and poor peasants and the on this question-the answer to which farmers' governments" in both Third tion and secure the widest possible ad­ bourgeoisie. This meant keeping the must determine the entire program­ World and advanced capitalist na­ vantage for the workers' socialist strug­ revolution within bounds acceptable to matic, strategic, and tactiCilI approach tions-governments born of revolution­ gle after the seizure of power. the capitalists, and sandbagging the in­ of the FI to world revolution-the ma­ ary coalitions between workers and Trotsky agreed with Lenin on the dependent interests of the workers and jority struck a "gentlemen's agreement" "anti-imperialist" capitalists, and resting need for worker/peasant alliance. But, poor peasants. with the SWP to disagree on funclo­ on top of a capitalist state apparatus he said, the peasantry included well-to­ Stalin hoped in this way to house­ menta/s. This opportunist bargain de­ -are a necessary stage in each revo­ do capitalists as well as'landless share· break the anti-capitalist upsurge in the faults to the SWP's anti-Marxist course lution, and that the achievements of croppers. Because of their internal class colonial world and thereby achieve de­ and drastically erodes the programmat­ such governments can lay the basis for differentiation, and the dependence of tente with imperialism. In return, he ic and organizational integrity of the the peaceful transition to socialism. the countryside on the cities, the peas. hoped to be left in peace to construct world party of official Trotskyism. In other words, the SWP believes ants could not play an independent rev­ "socialism in one country," i.e., a com­ that the dictatorship of the proletariat­ olutionary role. H they did not support fortable mode of existence for the bur­ Jockeying for position the political and economic expropria- the workers, they would fall in behind geoning Soviet bureaucracy. Perfectly reflecting the Frs capitula­ Subsequently, the tion to the SWP was the way the Con­ 1925-27 Chinese revolu­ gress dealt With the organizational tion, the great Spanish status of the Fourth Internationalist revolution of the 1930s, Tendency (FIT) and Socialist Action the 1970-73 democratic (SA), U.s. groups composed primarily socialist government of of ex-SWPers undemocratically purged Allende in Chile, and from the SWP over the last couple of the 1979 Iranian revo­ years for starting to oppose the party's lution, among others, abandonment of Permanent Revolution were destroyed by the and internal democracy. refusal of Stalinists to FIT and, to a lesser extent, SA have yank free from the actively sought re-entry into the SWP bourgeoisie and carry in the futile hope of changing the the revolution forward party's course. FIT has placed great to a workers' state. hopes on the Frs willingness and abili­ Today, the SWP uses ty to pressure the SWP to readmit the Stalinist "workers' them. and farmers' govern­ The Congress did vote to demand ment" slogan in the that the SWP readmit FIT and SA, same Menshevik pointing out that the expulsions were way-to uphold the carried out "in bare-faced violation of butcher Khomeini in the statutes of the Fourth internation­ Iran, to support un· al." But the Congress, tacitly recogniz­ critiCilHy Nicaragua's ing that the SWP will not accede to the Sandinistas, and in demand (and thereby acknowledging general to denigrate that the party is unlikely to alter its p0- workers' initiative in litical direction), also voted to consider world revolution. FIT and SA as affiliates of the FI! . tion of the capitalist class by the the ~democratic" bourgeoisie. Proletar­ FIT, SA, and the party that expelled power of the workers' state-is not a ian leadership was therefore crucial, and Goodbye Trotsky, farewell Marx them for upholding Trotskyism are prerequisite to socialism. in order to fulfill the democratic tasks The SWP has tossed not only Trot­ now all equally affiliated with the of the revolution and smash the bour­ sky and Lenin, but Marx and Engels world Trotskyist party! Menshevism revisited geois counterrevolution, the workers -who were the first to proclaim the The FI no doubt rationalizes that it The SWP maintains that its call for must establish a proletarian dictatorship. necessity for proletarian dictatorship is preserving and protecting Trotskyism, "workers' and farmers' governments" It is a matter of record that in April -and the entire revolutionary experi­ while holding open the door for the re-establishes the party's "continuity 1917-two months after the overthrow ence of the 20th century out the win­ wayward SWP. But in shunning politi­ with Bolshevism," supposedly broken of Czarist feudalism and eight months dow. The SWP is no longer a Marxist cal confrontation, the FI is merely us­ by its 50-year adherence to Permanent before the October revolution-Lenin, or a revolutionary party. ing FIT and SA as organizational coun­ Revolution. Hardly. By enjoining work­ realizing that his slogan was being used Given this, one would have expected terweights to the SWP within the pre­ ers to hitch their wagons to coalitions by some Bolsheviks to support the a fight to the end over Permanent Rev­ cincts of U.S. and world Trotskyism. In with capitalists, the SWP has sloughed bourgeoisie in the name of democracy, olution at the World Congress-a bat­ substituting an organizational maneu­ off Trotskyism in favor of Menshevism. decisively turned the Bolsheviks away tle that would have resulted in political ver for principled political battle-a The perspective of Lenin, as well as from his previous call for a "democratic agreement, or an organizational parting negation of Trotskyism-the FI has Trotsky, was the polar opposite of dictatorship" and called on the workers, of the ways, or establishment of pro­ succeeded only in giving up more Menshevism, which maintained that supported by the peasants, to take cedures for resolution of the dispute ground to the SWP renegades. the Russian Revolution was bourgeois­ power. through a broad and rich analysis of Still, the vital fact that the FI was democratic in its immediate aims, and It is equally a matter of record that the counter-positions. forced to rebuke SWP transgressions therefore the bourgeoisie must lead it. the workers and peasants, led by the Nothing of the sort happened. The against democracy means that it is not The Mensheviks insisted that the work­ Bolsheviks, smashed the capitalist state FI majority defended the "historical sig­ yet ready to abandon outright its politi­ ers could only begin the struggle for so­ in October, proceeded to carry out the nificance" and "continued relevance" of cal heritage. It might be said that the cialism after capitalism had consoli­ bourgeois-democratic tasks of the revo­ Permanent Revolution, but avoided the rebuke was designed only to forestall dated itself in Russia. lution, and without stopping initiated main point-that the SWP's repudia­ criticism that the FI cares more for This notion of revolution in stages­ the socialist reconstruction of society­ tion of Trotsky codifies its repudiation U.S. financial support than for political capitalism first, socialism much later­ entirely in accord with the prognosis of the living world revolution. principle. But even this sensitivity is sig­ led the Mensheviks to try to limit the laid out by Trotsky in the theory of At no time was the political basis of nificant; it indicates the FI still lacks revolution to the.establishment of bour­ Permanent Revolution. the SWP's departure from Trotskyism that cynicism that hurled the SWP into geois democracy, and to try to force acknowledged or laid out for honest ex­ Stalinism, that there is still room­ the bourgeoisie to take power-even as Enter Stalin amination. No one questioned what an however little-to open up a struggle the capitalists were trying to hand the With the establishment of the work­ anti-Trotskyist party was doing inside for the spirit as well as the letter of revolution over to the Czarist generals! ers' state, Lenin and Trotsky effectively the Trotskyist International. Trotskyism within the International. What was Lenin's position? He, and buried Menshevism. In 1924, however, Precisely for this reason, the SWP In any case, the only way to tum the Trotsky as well, agreed that the revolu­ Stalin resuscitated Menshevism and the can claim victory over the majority. wrist -slapping of the SWP to good ac­ tion was bourgeois-democratic in its im­ "two-stage" notion of revolution under Though delegates voted overwhelming­ count is for the International, FIT, and mediate aims. Before the revolution, he cover of Lenin's long-dead formula of ly to "uphold" Permanent Revolution, SA to stop playing at maneuvers and called for a "democratic dictatorship of the "democratic dictatorship." Stalin the SWP did not. And while it is still an undertake a serious political campaign the proletariat and peasantry," i.e., a said that colonial nations that have not affiliate of the FI-reactionary U.S. against the would-be destroyers of Per­ "workers' and farmers' government"­ yet achieved their capitalist revolutions legislation prevents Trotskyists from be­ manent Revolution. but against the capitalists who, because must limit themselves in advance to that ing members of international organiza- = T I

24 FREEDOM SocIALIST 0 SUMMER 1985 EDITORIAL

No reliance on the FBI! Community defense of abortion rights

As harassment and violence against abortion clin­ We call for a national united feminist front, open The FBI is infamous for its sweeping infiltrations ics accelerate, it's clear that an aggressive feminist to all and democratically organized, that builds a and persecution of activists. It maintains thick files response to the anti-abortion forces is urgently need­ mass movement embracing the call for hearings as on every feminist organization, including NOW, ed. The "pro-life" terrorists must be stopped before one demand among many. This united front could and has always opposed feminism as a threat to the they strip us of our constitutional rights. work out specific demands for defense of the clinics status quo. The Freedom Socialist Party and Radical Women and raise all the underlying issues of women's repro­ The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms support the National Organization for Women's call ductive rights, including free abortion on demand, no (BATF), which has also "investigated" anti­ for a national campaign in defense of abortion forced sterilization, and quality childcare. It must also abortion violence, is allied with the FBI in its at­ rights. And we applaud NOW's call for full-scale show that reproductive rights are a paramount issue titude and actions toward the feminist and other congressional hearings to investigate publicly the in the fight against rightwing attacks on all the op­ social movements. In the Everett clinic firebombing rise of assaults against clinics, patients, and staff. pressed, and rally people of color, lesbians and gay case, BATF made pro-abortion forces the prime In March and April, the House Civil and Consti­ men, labor and radicals in a broad offensive to pro­ target of their investigation. The Bureau, along with tutional Rights Subcommittee convened three hear­ tect the rights of all who are under attack. local officials, intimated time and again that clinic ings to investigate attacks against clinics. Panel Now is precisely the time for feminists to unite supporters had bombed the clinic to muster support members demanded that anti-abortion vigilantes be around the program outlined above. A mass right­ and sympathy! BATF also stalled the actual in­ prosecuted under civil rights laws. Testimony from wing movement backed by big business has already vestigation for months, meanwhile finding time to clinic staff and clients from Philadelphia to Yakima, coalesced to strip women of reproductive freedom bring charges against striking unionists at Everett's Washington attracted national press coverage. and relegate them again to the status of breeders and Nord Door Factory! So far so good. Still needed are well-publicized re­ unpaid domestics in the home, so capitalists can have After our experience with the Bureau, it does not gional hearings, which would provide a forum for two workers for the price of one. The current no­ surprise us that the BATF, while it had an undercover mobilizing broad public support to stop clinic vio­ holds-barred assault on abortion rights also serves as agent in the Greensboro, North Carolina, chapters of lence and pressure the government to uphold women's the front line in the right wing's campaign to nullify the Ku Klux Klan and Nazis, did nothing to prevent constitutional right to reproductive freedom. women as a social and political force. the Klan/Nazi assassinations of five Communist Broad support is indispensible to defense of abortion Workers Party members. rights. It was precisely community outrage over the • • • Experience teaches that U.S. police agencies are rash of clinic firebombings last year that put muscle Controversy is raging within the feminist move­ out to divide and destroy our organizations and behind NOW's call for congressional hearings. It was ment over whether or not to support NOW's call for movements, and to promote government policies community pressure that resulted in the ~year sen­ FBI investigations into violence against clinics. that are clearly anti-abortion and pro-rightwing. tencing last December of Everett Feminist Women's We strenuously object to this demand. While we We urge NOW to drop its call for secret police in­ Health Center frrebomber Curtis Beseda in Washington believe open congressional hearings can help build a vestigations immediately and instead focus on build­ State. It is a safe bet that without massive community mass pro-abortion movement, nothing could be ing an open, united feminist campaign to save abor­ organizing for abortion rights, the congressional hear­ more suicidal than to invite secret police investiga­ tion rights. We would gladly jOin with NOW and ings will in the end come to nothing. tions into violence against clinics. other feminist organizations in such an effort.

VOICES OF COLOR Women strikers shake up the Bay Area

unions and crush labor unrest with to reject. The officials also denigrated the sacrifices take-away contracts carrying drastic made by strikers for four months by agreeing in the wage and health benefit cuts, and two­ settlement to pay $100,000 out of union funds for tier wage systems that pay new hires scabs' salaries! less than other workers. This strike brought into clearest focus the conflict­ Many of the strikes are still being ing roles and aspirations of the low-paid rank-and-file fought today. Others have been con­ militants and the labor bureaucrats. Manifest was the cluded successfully. Still others have enormous potential power of the strikers to ignite the been busted by the bosses, with the entire workforce in united action against the bosses. collusion of union bureaucrats. No less clear was the bureaucrats' determination to curry favor with management by squelching such ac­ Fighting the onslaught tion, maintaining labor "peace," and preserving the When the Shoreline South Intermediate Care Hos­ bosses' profits. BY NANCY REIKO KATO pital in Alameda was sold last year, the new owners fired 51 of 60 members of Hospital and Institutional Sold out In the San Francisco Bay Area, constant strike ac· Workers Local 250 in a blatant attempt to bust the The rank-and-file women have been sold out by tivity marked the 50th anniversary of the 1934 San union. The workers, mostly older Black women who their supposed leaders time and time again. The Mis­ Francisco General Strike. But in 50 years, the face of had worked at Shoreline for 15 to 20 years, went on sion Foods strike is a classic example. organized labor has dramatically changed. The strike in November 1984; they are still out and on the LoCated in Richmond, Mission foods is the only primary impetus for the 1934 strike came from white picket line seven days a week! They demand contin­ unionized tortilla factory in California. On July 5, males in unions such as the longshoremen's union; ued recognition of their union despite the changes in 1984, it was struck by Hotel and Restaurant Employ­ people of color and women were denied entry into ownership. ees and Bartenders Union Local 28, whose member­ many jobs and, in addition, many unions had discrim­ On June 19, the regional offIce of the Reagan-

. Pieces Clara tAisSl,,9 . \ \sh ",\s\0(1 Fraser 'lJomeo ,0 ( Yellow Woman CaptivaUs Missing Pieces: Women in Irish History ary women's organization. Also a member of Dublin: Irish Information Publications (IFI) Sein Fein and the Irish Citizens Army, she su­ The redoubtable Merle Woo descended on Seattle recently and and Women's Community Press, 1983. 48 Fleet pervised a medical post during the Rising. took the town by storm. One of the people she impressed was my Street, Dublin, Ireland. A generation earlier than these brave women, colleague Helen Gilbert, who wrote a glowing account of Merle's Anna and Fanny Parnell formed the Ladies visit, to wit: Women in the United States think of Mother Land League in 1881 to continue the work of "Merle is an Asian American socialist, lesbian, feminist, gifted Jones as one of their own, but the women of the suppressed Land League which had included poet, rousing orator, and a model of the joy of revolutionary Ireland also claim her. She was born in 1839 in their famous brother, Charles Stuart Parnell, activism. Cork, trained as a teacher, and later journeyed among its leaders. The Ladies Land League "She came here fresh from the Berkeley campus, after winning to Memphis, Tennessee. After her children and took a more radical approach than the men and her monumental free speech and discrimination suit against the husband died of yellow fever, she worked in the a disapproving Parnell disbanded the group. University of California. She had a great deal to tell Seattle. And struggle for workers' rights until her death in Anna and Fanny never forgave him for his ac­ Seattle listened. 1930. Mother Jones was instrumental in secur­ tion against the women and their organization. "In fact, the entire nation listened to her, in a sense. She was a ing passage of child labor laws in Pennsylvania, Anna later joined the militant Sein Fein. plenary speaker at the National Women's Studies Association Among those who served the Irish people in Conference in Seattle, where she received a standing ovation for less dramatic ways was poet Charlotte O'Brien a presentation which bespoke the awesome power of solidarity. It (1845-1909). Her 1881 expose of the White Star was solidarity which won her case and later ignited the thrilling, Shipping Line forced an investigation which multi-issue, anti-apartheid protests at UC Berkeley. Said Merle: brought about stricter control of immigrant These are times of crisis and opportunity, and we are ships, thus improving conditions for the poor weeds cracking through cement. leaving Ireland. Beginning small; a few UC students demonstrating; then Another reformer was Dr. Dorothy Stopford their arrests-and then the explO$ion! Thousands of stu· Price (189O-1954), a Dubliner who did pioneer­ dents, workers, faculty, community, radicals exercising their ing work on tuberculosis-for which she was fi­ right to free speech and association. nally accorded national recognition in 1949. Women, ethnic, gay, disabled, re-entry students. Where­ Carrying on the tradition of professionalism ever you find the most oppressed, you will find the potential by women was Roisin Walsh (d. 1945), a librari­ for the best leadership. They are looking at the world with a keen eye. They are change: a barometer of society. They an who successfully overcame the difficulties of helped bring the apartheid system to the attention of the unifying Dublin's independent district libraries. world and expose the hell out of the university. Under her leadership, the growth of libraries and services was phenomenal. "Look to the coalition-building of the anti-apartheid protests and her militant words are still quoted by today's Missing Pieces gives only a hint of the broad for the solution to preserving feminist education, exhorted Merle. activists. scope of women's activities and deeds of daring "On the following weekend, she made a dramatic address to This historical sketch is but one of a hundred in Ireland, but it does contain a valuable bibli­ Seattle's Lesbian/Gay Freedom March and Rally, 10,000 strong. brief biographies in Missing Pieces: Women in ography for further research. The book ends Weare rising up and visible, strong and proud, militant. Irish History. Published by feminists in Ireland, We have shaken the cornerstone of capitalism-the bour­ it is a welcome addition to women's history, so geois nuclear family and the subordination of women-to long obscured by male historians. its very foundation. Many of the women featured in the book Our situation today demands revolutionary attitudes. We were staunch feminists, like Anita Lett (1872- have been on the move, building coalitions on a level never 1940), a pioneer advocate of affirmative action seen before. The coming Third American Revolution will be for women. In 1910, she suggested that women better than those which preceded it, for its goal is world should be nominated directly to decision­ liberation. We belong to the world! making bodies without standing for election! "Merle's vibrant radicalism won over Seattle's press. 'ff you're These remarkable women participated just as going to sing the Peace, Jobs and Freedom Blues, you gotta have wholeheartedly in the fight to free Ireland. a chorus. Demonstrators will have to join forces to be heard,' was Kathleen Lynn (1874-1955), a physician who the lead of an interview by reporter Sally Macdonald in the Seat­ tended suffragist hunger strikers in prison, also tle Times, one of the two daily local papers. served as captain in the Irish Citizens Army dur­ "The Seattle Gay News noted approvingly that 'Woo confronts ing the 1916 Rising against England's oppressive stereotypes by her actions, her attitudes, her way of being in the occupation of Ireland. Dr. Lynn was the officer world. She speaks as a poet; she sees the past, the present, the who accepted the surrender of British forces at future as one entity. Political? Of course! She sees politics as all Dublin Castle. with a reproduction of the dedication from of life.' Another participant in the Rising was Helen Concannon's 1922 book, Daughters of "Regina Hackett, the astute arts critic for the daily Post-Intelli­ Margaret Skinnider (1893-1971), an expert Banba: gencer, was intrigued by Merle's personal odyssey as a poet and markswoman and a spy for Sein Fein leader radical: Constance Markievicz. Involved in many suc­ To the memory of the Unknown Merle Woo didn't find her voice as a writer until she cessful raids to gain explosives for the Rising, Women, faithful and unnumbered, who in found herseH as a socialist, Asian American, unionist, les­ Skinnider once crossed from Glasgow to Ireland every age of Ireland's age long struggle bian and feminist. Her poems are stories taken from her life sleeping on a pillow filled with detonators, with have died of hunger and hardship, but ere and hung on the supple and expansive narrative line that is the wires concealed beneath her coat. When they were gathered into their forgotten her trademark. They carry the reader wherever Woo British troops occupied the College of Surgeons graves, passed on still living the Uncon­ wishes the reader to go. in 1916, she climbed into the rafters and fired at querable Spirit of the Irish race. Woo's poems, like Woo herseH, exhort without preach­ British soldiers on the rooftops, surviving three ing and describe social forces and injustice without losing a gunshot wounds. Missing Pieces rescues 100 women from "for­ sense of daily life lived with joy. Another fighter in Dublin was Madeleine gotten graves" and adds them to the world's "The crown to Merle's stay in Seattle was an event in a large Ffrench-Mullen (1880-1944), a lifelong socialist proud heritage of. brave and committed women art gallery. 'Yellow Woman Speaks' featured her poetry and com­ and nationalist, and a member of Inghinidhe na fighters. mentary, plus the dance and song of Bengie Santos, Maria hEireann (Daughters of Ireland), a revolution- -GLORIA MARTIN Batayola and Dian Hassel. Merle brought the overflow crowd to its feet with her closing poem, 'Yellow Woman Speaks': Shadow become real; follower become leader; mouse turned sorcerer- In a red sky, a darker beast lies waiting, her teeth, once hidden, now unsheathed swords. Yellow woman, a revolutionary, speaks ••. Abrasive teacher, incisive comedian, Painted Lady, dark domestic- Sweep minds' attics; burnish our senses; keep house, make love, wreak vengeance. "Thank you, Merle, for your integrity, artistry, humor, and political courage. You showed us the power of revolutionary feminism as only you could do. You made a statement and an im­ pact that will long be felt." And thank you, Helen, for capturing the ambience and ideological core of Merle Woo's presence. Watching and listening to Merle is an existential experience of discovering truths and enjoying it. Merle turns rage into wisdom and learning into fun. That is the universal mark of a great teacher. ·8 FREEDOM SocIALIST 0 SUMMER 1985

demands in the unions was verboten, "defense" of Permanent Revolution. leaders. just as labor issues were not to be This is exactly the single-issue ap­ spoken of in the other mass move­ Turning the clock back proach the SWP took in the Vietnam • • 4th Int" ments. This was pure and simple econ­ FIT and SA have so far proved un­ War days in order not to "alienate" the omism, so fiercely lambasted by Lenin able to wage a real political battle "masses." from page 23 in the early Russian Marxist movement. against the SWP and, with SWP-style History repeats itself. Reports are Inevitably, the notion that the most sectarianism, have refused to discuss now circulating of a split in Socialist Radicallaborism backward, philistine strata of labor was with the rest of the Left the reasons be­ Action, resulting in a new group called The renegade MensheviklStalinist the revolutionary vanguard sapped the hind that party's degeneration. Both Socialist Unity. Socialist Unity is said to course of the SWP is the culmination SWP's belief that proletarian revolution groups in fact maintain that the SWP disagree with the SA majority's anti­ of more than 25 years of political de­ was possible in the king-pin capitalist was politically healthy until the late regroupment stance and "excessive" generation, rooted in the protracted country. The party's through-the-glass­ '7Os, that its radicallaborite approach criticism of the Sandinista leadership in period of relative economic prosperity darkly perspective was in tum extended of the '60s and early '70s-which greased Nicaragua. The Los Angeles SA branch following WWII and the SWP's blind to international workers' upheaval. the slide into Stalinism-was correct. was suspended for a year, by fiat of the adaptation to the white male labor Pessimism breeds opportunism; the Leaders of both organizations, such national leadership, for exploring re­ aristocracy. SWP began to lust after popularity at as George Breitman and Frank Lovell groupment possibilities with other Left This adaptation began in the 1950s any price, first in the U.S. mass move­ of FIT, and Nat and Sylvia Weinstein tendencies! under the witchhunting pressure of ments (especially the reformist sectors of SA, defended the SWP regime in Unless SA and FIT can find their McCarthyism, which drove radicals, of the antiwar, Black, and feminist those years. way back to the spirit of Permanent women, people of color, and lesbians movements), and then with Stalinist Their political path is already murky. Revolution and revolutionary democ­ and gay men from the labor movement. and reformist leaders of revolutions FIT and SA started out as a single enti­ racy, they will repeat-in quadruple These purges consolidated bureaucracy abroad. The search for popularity de­ ty, first as an opposition bloc in SWP, time-the SWP's long slow slide into in the unions, and profoundly conser­ manded total accommodation to the and then for a brief period after expUl­ Stalinism. vatized the white male trade unionists. conservatism and prejudices of these sion. They split, apparently for organi­ The SWP leadership, which largely leaders. Accommodation inevitably zational reasons. FIT seriously seeks re­ Trotskyists regroup! derived from and was tied to the demanded the abandonment of Trot­ entry into SWP; SA, larger and more The FI must break with the policy of unions, lost touch with the living U.S. skyism. prosperous, seems more intent on ac­ accommodation to the SWP. It must class struggle. They failed utterly to In this way, because of its failure to tually establishing itself as an alterna­ come to terms with the American recognize that the civil rights, feminist, meet the changing requirements of the tive party. Neither group has made revolution and intervene on the side of and lesbian/gay movements-forced to delayed American revolution, the SWP public the reasons for that split. There the most oppressed workers against the develop outside the unions in the wake came to a parting of the ways with appear to be only nuances and shadings Stalinist, reformist, ex-Trotskyist repre­ of McCarthyism-were and are central Trotsky, Marx, Engels, Lenin, Luxem­ of political differences between them. sentatives of the labor aristocracy. component elements of the workers' burg, and the founders of the SWP Both groups proclaim adherence to a We call on the leadership of the FI to struggle, The SWP thus denigrated the such as James P. Cannon. document entitled "28 Theses on the begin an immediate political offensive struggles of the super-oppressed van­ American Revolution and the Building against the SWP, to expose its betrayal guard majority of U.S. workers, shunt­ Hear, see, speak no evil of the Revolutionary Party." This doc­ of the world revolution, and to eradi­ ing them aside as mere "allies" of the None of the foregoing was discussed ument was submitted in May 1983 by cate anti-Marxism within the FI. One (by definition straight white male) at the World Congress, which is in four soon-to-be-expelled members of approach would be for the FI to send working class. keeping with the fact that the Interna­ the SWP National Committee-Steve speakers to SWP branches to debate The SWP fell into a radicallaborite tional has consistently ascribed the Bloom, Lynn Henderson, Frank Lovell, the issues. The FI must also open up a orientation: radical because of the SWP's break with Marxism entirely to and Nat Weinstein-with the intention literary and face-to-face discussion for residual influence of its Trotskyist "theoretical errors." of forming an opposition bloc within the entire world Trotskyist movement. heritage; Iaborite because of its belief Errors there are in super-abundance. the NC and defending "the historic pro­ We call on the membership of the that only the unions could serve as the But where do these errors come from gram of the SWP and the Fourth Inter­ FI, especially the women, lesbians and breeding ground for revolution. that in their totality constitute the im­ national." gay men, people of color, and oppressed In 1965, the Seattle branch of the pudentjunking of Marxism? According to the "28 Theses," the nationalities among them, to demand that the FI begin this campaign with­ out delay. We call on FIT and SA to support The Fourth International's refusal to wage a this educational offensive and political housecleaning, and to establish com­ munication with all U.S. Trotskyists political fight over the theory of who uphold the Permanent Revolution and have much to contribute to an Permanent Revolution defaults to the SWP's assessment of the SWP's downfall and the prospects for the North American anti-Marxist course. revolution. Finally, we extend an invitation to all U.S. Trotskyists and leftists in­ SWP (which broke away shortly after­ Theory is in the last analysis a prod­ most burning task of the day is to "ad­ terested in regroupment to join the ward to form the Freedom Socialist uct of class struggle and class interests. vance a program of independent mass Committee for a Revolutionary Party) produced a Resolution entitled The SWP's theory, Stalinist in essence, action, union democracy, and class Socialist Party (CRSP). The Freedom Radical Laborism versus Bolshevik reveals that its interests coincide wholly solidarity" in order to "build the revolu­ Socialist Party helped found CRSP in Leadership for consideration at the 21st with the capitalist-fostered prejudices of tionary party" and a "class struggle left 1977 to consolidate the forces of Trot­ National SWP Convention. the labor aristocracy-against the wing in the labor movement." skyist feminism as an alternative to the The article laid out in detail the revolution. Yet the document in no way recog­ anti-revolutionary SWP. CRSP has political character and consequences of The FI blithely ignores this. Signifi­ nizes that the democratic struggles of since actively sought out discussion, the SWP's new course. The authors cantly, though the Congress scheduled women and people of color for sex and debate, and collaborative work with all stated that the SWP's vision did not programmatic discussion of such ques­ race equality are the driving force of those interested in the regeneration of "project beyond the trade union up­ tions as Poland, Central America, and U.S. class struggle. The lesbian/gay American Trotskyism. surge of the distant future that will lead the world political situation, no discus­ movement is not mentioned in any con­ CRSP has assessed the world Trot­ to the Labor Party." While "not sion was held on the American revolu­ nection. And without attacking sexism, skyist crisis, most profoundly in the typically syndicalist," the SWP regime tion. Yet it is just this question which, racism, and homophobia in the labor works of its illustrious former National nevertheless effectively subordinated because of the economic, political, and movement and in society, how can Committee Chairman, the late Murry the party-which by Leninist definition military weight exerted by the U.S. on "mass action, union democracy, and Weiss. Weiss collaborated with J.P. must carry on all-sided revolutionary all countries, decisively shapes all the class solidarity"-or the revolutionary Cannon in writing the American activity-to the limitations of the trade important questions of world revolution. party-possibly be built? Theses (America's Road to Socialism). union movement. The SWP "does not The only item that focused specifical­ FIT and SA, like the SWP, default to He led the fight against the SWP's op­ intervene decisively in the real political lyon the U.S. was a statement calling the labor aristocracy, leaving them­ portunism and sectarianism in the '50s, life of the time so long as the arenas of for mass U.S. protest against imperialist selves blind to the tasks and perspec­ and was instrumental in hammering struggle and motion remain outside the aggression in Central America. That tives of revolution at home, and prey to out the basis for reunification of the FI labor movement and sometimes oppos­ this statement refused to call for revolu­ the demoralization that comes from a in 1963. In CRSP documents such as ed to it." tionary initiative at home by U.S. laborite fixation on the conservative Crisis in the Fourth International, he In addition, "as a consequence of the workers reveals by the omission an "ap­ unions. Little wonder that the "28 laid bare the growing bureaucratism single-minded unionistic-laboristic blue­ proach" by the FI to the American Theses" nowhere addresses or recog­ and sexism overtaking the FI, and print for revolution, the Party has be­ Question that dovetails neatly with the nizes the importance of the U.S. to outlined the tasks facing revolutionaries come increasingly constricted ... and SWP'sown. world revolution. around the world. turned inward. This produces, in tum, The keys to the American revolution In mass work, FIT and SA have also CRSP, we believe, is a pole of attrac­ deepening errors of theory, program, are the race, sex, and sexual liberation rehashed the role of the SWP. They tion for all those who want to build a strategy and tactics in those areas struggles against the prejudices of the played major roles in the U.S. antiwar party that will meet the demands of the demanding the greatest familiarity and labor aristocrats, prejudices that divide movement this year, acting as bulwarks American revolution. precision of evaluation: the colonial and debilitate the world proletariat. against radicals and multi-issue orga­ Such a party-aTrotskyist socialist revolution, youth, the peace move­ Only by grasping these essentials can nizing. Both supported moves to ex­ feminist party-is the only hope for ment, the Black struggle, the labor the tasks of revolutionary leadership in clude open socialists from the steering U.S. and world revolution, the rejuve­ movement, women's emancipation and the U.S. and the world be understood committees of the April 20 mobiliza­ nation of world Trotskyism and the revolutionary regroupment." and dealt with in a dynamic Marxist tions. They voted to exclude the Left Fourth International, and the extension At the same time, deepening union way. Yet it is precisely these essentials from open participation in the antiwar of Permanent Revolution in our time. 0 conservatism meant that the SWP that the FI ignores. movement at the Second National Emer­ "neglects probes into the unions, prefer­ What can this signify but that the gency Conference Against Military In­ ring to wait until the time is more Fourth International is accommodating tervention in Central America/Carib­ For information on CRSP, contact Dr. patently promising." to the labor aristocracy and its bureau­ bean held in Minneapolis in June. And Susan Williams, National CRSP Coor· At best, the party roused itself only cracy? And what in light of this can it they fought against raising the connec­ dinator, at 301 W. 17th St., #2E, New to support unions' bread and butter do but tail after the SWP-and cover tion of racism and sexism to the war York, NY 10011,212·929·0210. Or con· demands-for higher wages, benefits, its abdication of revolutionary respon­ drive, for fear of offending labor tact your nearest Freedom Socialist party and so on. Raising other political sibility with a platonic and useless bureaucrats, reformists, and religious or Radical Women branch. FREEDOM SocJAUST 0 SUMMUl985 27

and must be fought by everyone. vent gay men from having sex and public education to promote preven- The lesbian/gay movement has al- would be as ineffectual in combating tive, safer sex. Health industry profits ready launched an impressive response the AIDS crisis as closing straight from diagnostic and screening tests AIDS to the AIDS attack. Support groups to singles' clubs would be in arresting must be put back into research, espe- • • • help cope with the AIDS trauma are herpes. What it would do is hand the cially toward development of a vaccine. frompage2B numerous. Money has been raised for right wing a victory, gratis, in their We must fight for protections against ka who travels the country to agitate direct care, community education and campaign to prove that gays are im- reactionary evictions, firings, and denial against gay rights. lobbying efforts. Forums, conferences, moral menaces to society. of health services, and demand guaran- Many of these vultures describe such educationals and discussions abound. The only way to counter the right is teed confidentiality of screening test measures as "medical solutions" to the Petition and letter campaigns have with a bold, militant defense of gay results and health records. AIDS crisis. But advocacy of concen- flourished. rights. The lesson of Houston is clear: Finally, we must connect the AIDS tration camps and genocide is rightwing Most common are the AIDS vigils. conservative gays refused to fight right- reaction with all the other sexist, racist, political terrorism par excellence, an Vigils are a dramatic-albeit somber wing attacks on a proposed anti-dis- anti-worker attacks and unite to meet essential part of the general repres- -way for the gay community to de- crimination ordinance. They allowed the right wing head on. sion-against unions, women, people of mand adequate research funding, an the Ku Klux Klan to march unopposed Ultimately, the number of lives lost color, immigrants, political minori- end to harassment and discrimination, through Houston's gay community dur- to AIDS will be determined less by the ties-advocated by the reaction. and other key issues of the fight. ing the campaign. And the ordinance nature of the disease than by how effec- The gay movement must refuse to lost by a 4-1 margin. tively we organize ourselves to fight. 0 Militance, the best medicine capitulate to the reactionary "solutions" The movement can neither wait for The medical/political crisis spawned to the AIDS crisis offered by homo- the government to declare war on Dr. Susan Williams is an attending by AIDS demands a vocal, organized, phobes. Primary among these is the AIDS, nor kowtow to the right wing. physician at Metropolitan Hospital in militant, and multi-issue response from forced closure of gay baths, a measure We must organize to demand massive East Harlem, NYC, and an assistant the lesbian/gay and other social change supported by some gay leaders. increases in funds for AIDS research, professor of medicine at New York movements. AIDS is everyone's issue Closure of the baths would not pre- medical care for those afflicted, and Medical College.

safeguard of business interests, rather genders violence against Asian pIe of color in pressing their demands than an advocate for labor. Based on Americans. in the union as on the picket line. To Strikes the privileged white male labor aristo- The demoralizing, divisive racism do otherwise is to play into the hands • • • cracy, which has traded class conscious- and sexism of the labor skates is the of the bosses and be defeated without a fram page 24 ness for economic rewards, union bu- biggest roadblock that must be over- battle. porters, Local 28 officials decided to reaucrats foster the racism and sexism come to prevent the destruction of all The survival of the American labor ram through management's take-away that have historically split apart the labor's hard-won gains. movement lies in its ability to reject the contract. They refused to provide a working class and allowed the capitalists divide and conquer of racism and sex- translator when they presented the con- to remain in power. Union officials New life for labor ism promoted by the parasitical union tract proposal to the membership-and feather their nests quite nicely under Women of color workers, who are of bureaucracy. When labor learns to res- they allowed scabs to vote on the pro- the system that profits from the exploi- necessity leading labor's resistance peet and follow the leadership of wom- posal. The contract was "ratified" in tation of workers. Primarily concerned against the bosses and the bureaucrats, en of color-the most oppressed and February 1985. Some workers have with carrying out the bosses' wishes, are charting a course that the entire thus the most steadfast fighters-it will refused to go back under these condi- they view the militance of people of labor movement must follow if it is to cast off its mis-leaders and be on the tions and are considering a renewed color, women, and immigrant workers stop the anti-labor offensive. Their road to the decisive defeat of the bosses. boycott against Mission. Chicano stu- as a threat they must crush if they are courageous fight inspires workers who Then we will see the spirit of the 1934 dents, appalled at the union's racism to retain their control and privilege. have been disillusioned by the unending General Strike reborn with a power and lack of democracy, are continuing The AFL-CIO leadership has sup- round of givebacks, and shows the never seen before! 0 their support. ported the Simpson-Mazzoli bill and strength of a united struggle. other racist anti-immigration legislation Privileged workers must in their own Nancy Reiko Kato is a clerical worker at U.C. Berkeley and a member Irreconcilable interests aimed at controlling and curtailing the interest reject the poison of race and of AFSCME 3211 and the Freedom Nationwide, the gulf between the rights of dark -skinned immigrant sex bigotry. Their future lies in their Socialist Party. Recently elected to the labor bureaucracy and the rank and file workers as well as intensifying repres- ability to unite with the rest of their Alameda County Central Labor Coun· is widening as union officials capitulate sion against people of color in general. class to stop the wholesale destruction cil, she has been active in many Bay to the bosses' union busting and take- Its "Buy American" campaign pits U.S. of labor's already eroded rights. White Area labor struggles, including those backs. The bureaucracy has become the workers against foreign workers and en- male workers must join women and peo- mentioned in this story.

far from our own. Maybe they need learned from that situation and don't tlte Indians' interests with protection more pressure or more time to edu- want Fagoth. of the revolution, and trying to bring cate themselves about our inter- The contras are our enemy. They together the two sides, always main- ests-which are not necessarily op- consider these peace negotiations to taining the interests of the people of Rivera posite from those of the continuing be against their interests and they're the region. • • • revolution. trying to destroy us. Also, the U.S. The most important thing we can frampage 1 I feel there is a basis for agreement government is not happy with this do is protect the revolution. And one tionalland, within the framework of with the Sandinistas because I am peace process. of the most sensitive issues in Nica- the Nicaraguan state. Indians will convinced that there is more of a ragua is the Sandinistas' conflict have the right to administer our in- chance for us to achieve a just solu- GH: The Sandinista government is cur· with the Miskitu, Sumo, and Rama. ternal affairs on our own land in our tion than there would be from any rently promoting a Miskitu group It undermines the ideals of the revo- own interests, without external im- other type of government in the called MISATAN as the "represent· lution, and the Sandinistas are losing position. hemisphere, whether rightwing ative body of the indigenous group." a lot of credibility by their treatment military dictatorship, or the so-called Would you care to comment? of the Indians. GH: What do you hope to accomplish democratic countries. Rivera: All this means is that the Nic- Nicaragua has a particular impor- at the peace talks? In a genuine revolutionary pro- araguans want to get the Indians on tance to the whole of Central Ameri- Rivera: At the very beginning of the ne- cess, they must resolve the Indian their side to justify their position, ca. If the revolution fails, then there gotiations, our delegation presented question. The Sandinistas have the since the Indian issue is just and has will be no other revolution in Latin a written proposal to the FSLN historic chance to find a just solu- international credibility. The govern- America. which dealt with our demands for tion which could serve as a model ment created MISATAN, which is In my opinion, you should contin- autonomy, land rights, control of for other Latin American countries. something like the Bureau of Indian ue approaching the FSLN, pressur- our natural resources, and cultural All the national liberation move- Affairs here, ruled by some Indians ing them to make a serious effort to and religious rights for our people. ments in Latin America need the who have sold out to government in- make just peace with the Indian peo- They have not given us any formal support of the Indian people. In terests. pie. It's not just a matter of admit- answer. Rather, the government Guatemala, Bolivia, and Peru, the The Sandinistas say that the as- ting they made a mistake. The real wants MISURASA T A to accept a majority are Indians, and if the revo- sembly that created MISATAN rep- question is what they will do now to cease-fire accord without any con- lution succeeds, they will govern resented 63 villages. They refer to demonstrate that the revolution in- cessions, without conditions. That is those countries. the Tasba Pri forced relocation vil- cludes the Indian people and their unacceptable. They just want an end lages. You can analyze how the Indi- interests. to the fighting, without showing any GH: The U.S. bourgeois press, and ans would organize themselves if commitment to our interests. If I even much of the Left, has repre· they were in a normal situation. GH: So you are saying that the way to agreed to that, I would betray my sented Steadman Fagoth, who is Also, if MISATAN is the legiti- support the FSLN and the revolu· people's interests. They would kill fighting on the side of the contras, mate representative of the Indians, tionary process is to defend Indian me, and they would be right. as the real leader of the Nicaraguan and has the solution to the problem, autonomy? All people have expectations for Indians. How much support does he why are the Sandinistas talking to Rivera: Yes! Oppressed people need to peace, but peace with justice. We really have? MISURASATA? MISURASATA is make broad alliances to struggle must achieve a government which Rivera: The Sandinistas themselves say the Indian power. against the capitalist forces. But if recognizes our people's right to inter- Fagoth is the leader. But he is an we don't promote mutual respect, nal self-determination. So, what we aberration and we have been fight- GH: What do you think of the FSP's the revolution just crumbles in our have been trying to do is solve the ing to isolate him from the Indian position that it's necessary to defend midst. Our enemy will continue to fundamental issue of Indian rights at question. the FSLN against U.s. imperialism take advantage of our mistakes. the same time as we work to solve If you talked to our exiles in Hon- while at the same time supporting To the measure that the FSLN the military conflict. duras, you would see what they feel the Indians against the disastrous solves the Indian question in Nicara- for Fagoth. He no longer represents policy of the FSLN? gua, they will defend the future of GH: Has there been progress? Indian people; he is just fighting for Rivera: I know of no other organization the revolution, not just in Nicaragua Rivera: I am trying to be optimistic, but personal ambition, for U.s. interests, but the FSP which is trying to rec- but in the other Latin American the Sandinistas' position is still very for contra interests. Our people have oncile the positions of support for countries. 0 < 50. (~ outside U.S.) Interview with Miskitllleader Chicano Struggle, Part III Australian Free Speech Fight

11.... iIM-~A~b~ov:e~: Personnel at the county jail in Westchester, New York, gear up to "combat" AIDS. LERl) progress is the capitalist nature of the medical establishment itself. The "health" Hf\E ~.. ~ industry thrives on illness. And the 1985 projected profit of $100 million from in­ Syndrome-destroys the body's immune conclusive screening tests for AIDS does v"Afi'lt'D system, leaving the sufferer susceptible to not offer much incentive for finding a serious infections and tumors. cure for the disease. In addition, cutthroat fH Bl)\ AIDS is not a "gay disease." Although it competition in medical research has led to struck first and hardest at gay males (72% wasteful duplication of efforts and esoteric BY SUSAN WILLIAMS, M.D. of reported U.S. cases), hemophiliacs, in­ investigations that are not aimed at stop­ he AIDS death count is rising by travenous drug users, Haitians, and many ping AIDS. leaps and bounds across the na­ Blacks and Latinos are also at increased Ttion. Yet the bodies of those who risk. In Central Africa, AIDS almost ex­ The rightwing plague have died could be piling up in the streets clusively affects heterosexuals, both male Reactionaries look on AIDS as a for all the U.s. government cares. and female. The disease has also killed heaven-sent boon. Despite the AIDS epidemic's spectac­ children. Nationwide, lesbian/gay rights legisla­ ular growth rate and its huge threat to Over five thousand people have died of tion has fallen victim to the AIDS panic. public health and safety, the government AIDS so far. As it spreads, the disease Gay men and people with AIDS increas­ has refused to move to bring it under con­ could affect a major portion of the general ingly face firings and denial of medical ser­ trol. Meanwhile, rightwing reactionaries population. But the U.S. government and vices. They have also been denied entry are using the crisis to fuel the destruction medical bureaucracy have obstructed in­ into the country. Reagan administration of the hard-won gains of the lesbian/gay vestigation. officials have "seriously discussed" mass movement. Like 14th century bigots who The epidemic was reported in 1981, but job firings and concentration-camp "quar­ blamed the Black Death on Jews, then no research was federally funded until antine" for known gays. slaughtered half the Jews in Europe, to­ 1983. Current AIDS studies are under­ Already, quarantine laws have been day's bigots blame AIDS on gays_ staffed and underfunded, yet Reagan's used in Connecticut and in Europe to jail They too are laying the groundwork for February budget proposes a $10 million those with AIDS or forcibly isolate them mass slaughter. Using fear of the disease in cut in funds! in special hospitals. U.S. health officers tandem with homophobic prejudice, right­ The minimal funding is due to the fact need only "probable cause" to mandate wingers are whipping up a pogrom atmos­ that 96% of those with AIDS are also the jailor quarantine for a person they believe phere, urging everything from quarantines victims of sexual and racial discrimination. could spread disease. to outright genocide. It is also consistent with Reagan's policy Mass murder has been publicly advocat­ of fUnding the military at the expense of ed by hate-mongers like Paul Cameron, a The medical front health and social services. self-proclaimed psychologist from Nebras­ AIDS-Acquired Immunodeficiency An additional roadblock in research to page 27