It seems like now is a good time to have a conversation about finding common ground between the various factions of left/progressive folks. I know this isn’t a new topic but maybe it’s worth revisiting.
What are the sticking points and what can we all agree on in the context of current-day politics?
Adding some things I think any leftist should be able to agree on:
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Capitalism has been a strong negative influence on human existence
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People who look, act and live differently from you deserve exactly the same human rights as you, even if they make you uncomfortable
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Health care, food, water, and housing are human rights
Left Unity isn’t about being ride or die together, it’s about aligning on issues you can and discussing issues you can’t. Marxists and Anarchists, for example, have a different end goal in mind. Marxists want a centrally planned, publicly owned economy with a democratically controlled government, while Anarchists want a horizontal, decentralized network of cooperatives and Mutual Aid Networks. You’re going to run into disagreements, because their analysis of Capitalism has different conclusions and as such their end goals are different.
That’s why we need to work together on things we do align on, like Palestinian liberation, anti-fascism, and anti-Capitalism.
We should also read more theory. Having a better understanding of our problems and how we believe they can be fixed is the key to any struggle. I keep a “Read Theory, Darn It!” beginner reading list on Marxism if anyone wants it, let me know if you have any questions.