OscailtAgainst Chauvinism, Against Nationalism!An introduction by the ZACF2008-05-28T14:03:08+08:00Anarkismoanarkismoeditors@lists.riseup.nethttp://www.anarkismo.net/atomfullposts?story_id=8974http://www.anarkismo.net/graphics/feedlogo.gifBelated commenthttp://www.anarkismo.net/article/8974#comment93572008-05-28T14:03:08+08:00Karl BlytheThis introduction, and the statement by Abahlali baseMjondolo, are not only powe...This introduction, and the statement by Abahlali baseMjondolo, are not only powerful statements in and of themselves, addressing the specific attacks in South Africa in a revolutionary way; they also exemplify the revolutionary (and, in the case of ZACF, anarchist-communist) stance of proletarian internationalism, as it is manifested by the question of immigration and "foreign labor." <br />
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That problem is equally relevant today in the United States, where the conventional leftist and liberal stances consist primarily of denouncing "anti-American" free trade policies, which take away jobs from middle-class American workers to send overseas, and secondarily of a very confused and diluted argument over foreign (especially illegal) immigrant labor. In the latter case, this especially has led to confusion from foolish but well-meaning liberals who argue that illegal immigrants simply "take the jobs that Americans don't want to do" (i.e. agricultural labor). Thus the main point -- the inherent exploitation of the labor market, without regard to "national identity" except when it useful -- is missed entirely, and it is no wonder that poor and working-class Americans fall for the reactionary rhetoric of "national security" and job-protection, looking for support to conservative demagogues who play to such emotions even as they align with (indeed, are part of) the capitalist profiteers who are squeezing them dry through the labor market.<br />
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We need more clear, blunt explanations of this sort regularly addressing the working class, in conjuction with practical work of the sort which seems to coming from the ZACF as well as Abahlali baseMjondolo, in the United States and other countries. Looking ahead, with history as a guide, it is even highly possible that such work will make the difference between a new fascism and a mass revolutionary movement, among the working class.