#leftforum

Ok, so I've only been to one day of one Left Forum Conference. But that doesn't mean I can't have feelings about it. In fact, perhaps as somewhat of an outsider, I have a unique and valuable perspective on the whole thing. So here goes.

I thought that the vim and vigor of the panelists and participants was impressive, and I was so honored to speak on a panel on DIY economies with two people who are way out of my league- interfaith minister, healthcare reform guru, and motivational catalyst Glen Ganaway, and Mary Jeys. Mary gets her own sentence, because her approach to art, social engagement, alternative economic development, and community building is enough to bring hope to the masses after 48 hours of fire and brimstone about Marxism and the destruction of the _____ and revolt and and and...

One thing I noticed was strikingly absent at the conference though, amidst the bustling people and shouting Stalinists and protestors, was any sort of pleasant social activity. No nurturing of the actual community that was there. No way to blow off a bit of steam after an afternoon of burning effigies of capitalist pigs.

Also, not a SINGLE panel using the word QUEER at ALL? How is that even possible, out of like 300 panels?

And, maybe I missed it, but did anyone other than the childcare people protesting the actual conference plan an action to do at/around/during or after the conference?

Lastly, where was the revolutionary food, people? I mean, I know we're all hypocrites to some extent, but sipping a Coke while talking about breaking down the colonialist multinational global regime is a bit rich.

So here are eight activities/panels/workshops I propose for next year.

Queering the Left: A panel discussion on the unique LGBTQ perspectives this crazy world and how to make it better/weirder. I mean, queers are like the best at this stuff people! You could learn so much...

Can Anarchists be Foodies? An exploration of the most basic consumer action - buying food - and how to make sure it aligns with your politics. Produce, cooking, fast food, fine-dining... What's allowed and what's just eating out of the palm of THE MAN?

Walking the Walk: A breakout session where activists could actually get together and plan direct actions based on their interests and skills. People could leave the conference and immediately do a sleep-in at some shitty corporate hotel or in Times Square, dang it!

Biking the Bike: Bikes are a revolution (PUN) in more ways than one. If we're still driving cars on a daily basis, we're not living up to our ideals and all our ranting about divestment is just banging hollow tin cans. So send everyone on a revolutionary bike ride. Ask Elly Blue to come.

Wear Your Bleeding Heart on Your Sleeve: Fashion and aesthetic coaching for leftists, anarchists, environmentalists, Stalinists, revolutionaries, activists, and slacktivists. This is very important because there are a lot of choices to be made here, and you can do a lot of "consciousness-raising" with the way you present yourself to the world. Also, you may not know what impression you're making, which might be undermining your canvassing efforts. 

PARTY LIKE A REVOLUTIONARY! A celebratory bash featuring veggie food, products from worker-owned and ethically-run companies, political/conscious entertainers and poets, and for goodness sake give us some liquor. Some of these people really seem like they could use a drink. And speaking of needing a drink...

Love on the Left: Sex, Dating, Love, and long-term relationships of the state-sanctioned or illegal variety, for Leftists. A necessary component would be how to not fall in love with a fascist. Maybe there could even be speed dating! 

Yoga to Conquer Capitalism: OK, this doesn't have to be the name, but a huge yoga and meditation practice in the morning before sessions begin, and a smaller session for teachers and healers, would be IMHO, the most vital improvement of the conference. The struggle that all you activists face is so huge, and I felt so much tension and exhaustion and in-fighting and stress... Integrating the body and the mind is the first step toward achieving any of the external goals you have.

New York City: FIST at the Left Forum 

Capitalism's ‘Lost Generation:’ How young Marxist-Leninists will be the gravediggers of capitalism 

Sat., May 31, 3:20 pm - 4:50 pm, Room 12.80 

Young people face a crisis in every way. Unemployment, mass incarceration, mountains of student debt and low wages are the reality for most. In this period of permanent capitalist crisis, as well as deepening imperialist war and heighten oppression at home, panelists from the socialist youth organization "Fight Imperialism, Stand Together" will be leading a discussion on the importance of young revolutionaries organizing, especially on the following questions: How will we galvanize young people, especially those facing heightened racism, police attacks, unemployment, student debt and other forms of oppression and exploitation? How do we build a movement that unites young people, workers, people of color, women, and LGBTQ people for the revolutionary overthrow of capitalism? Why and how do we revitalize the revolutionary ideology of Marxism-Leninism? How do we build unity in our movement?

Sponsored by FIST- Fight Imperialism, Stand Together

Speakers Include:

The International Action Center is supporting the following panels at Left Forum in New York City this year. All panels will be held at John Jay College, 524 West 59th St., NYC, NY  10019.

The New Face of U.S. Imperialist Wars Sat, May 31, 10 am - 11:50 am, Room 1.71

Capitalism's ‘Lost Generation:’ How young Marxist-Leninists will be the gravediggers of capitalism Sat., May 31, 3:20 pm - 4:50 pm, Room 12.80

More than 15! The fight to raise the quality of life for ALL New Yorkers Sat., May 31, 3:20 pm - 4:50 pm, Room 1.110

Mumia and Other Targets of Police Terror: The Fight Back Sat., May 31, 5 pm - 6:50 pm, Session 4, Room 1.83

The New Cold War: What's driving it and will it escalate? Sun., June 1, 10 am - 11:50 am, Room 1.117

The Economics of Imperialism in the 21st Century Sun., June 1, 3:40 pm - 5:40 pm, Room 3.79