I just wanted to ask this question as I have heard this talking point mentioned several times here on Lemmygrad, but with little follow up or explanation. I myself am very curious and am actively pursuing joining a local chapter of a party, but I am in a very precarious place in my life, and I would like to inform myself as much as I can before making my final decision.
So what exactly would potential consequences of joining a communist party look like? Do you have any personal experiences with issues or discrimination that arose from your membership to a communist party?
Could these effects be mitigated by joining under an alias? Are the effects permanent? Will being a member prevent a person from traveling internationally and receiving a passport? Will being a member hurt chances of admissions to universities or jobs even if it is not disclosed? Will being a member be discoverable during security clearance checks and prevent the taking of a government job?
I’m sorry for the amount of questions, I’m just very curious, but simultaneously worried about the permanent repercussions that might arise from me seeking to join a party, especially in the heart of the Imperial Core. Thank you for your help and guidance.
You should definitely take your own circumstances into consideration, for sure. I’ve been with a party for a few months now, and I’m loving it! I don’t entirely put it out there that I’m in the party, but a select few people in my life do know. I don’t have any real online presence in terms of anything that would obviously identify me, but I just keep it on a need to know basis. If i got doxxed, I would be a bit worried I guess, but I think life would go on. Again, I’m saying this from the West Coast where “lefty” politics are a bit more tolerated.
That being said, organizing is an inherently dangerous thing and that should be taken into consideration. You probably could use an alias, but there would probably come a point where hiding yourself might be more of a burden than anything. A comrade made a point to me the other day about how a lot of the Occupy organizers had their faces blurred and everything, and safety is a valid concern, but that’s probably not too inviting of an image to see if you’re someone whose looking from the outside and you’re looking for a political home, y’know? If we’re all just online and hiding our identities then we’re about as good as a glorified book club.
If you’re still pretty young, I think it’s okay to read theory and interact with people online. If you find yourself in a more stable position to openly be a ML then do so! If not, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that and you should definitely consider your own specific circumstance!
They could be if the government you’re under is reactionary like that, again it all depends, yknow? It’s hard to answer each one because it really depends on where you are and whatnot.
I know in South Korea they’ll stop you from a lot of stuff if they know you’re a commie, but I don’t know whether the US will go full McCarthyist again soon.
Thank you for your response! It was very helpful and let me see a few new perspectives that I hadn’t thought about before.
However to answer your question, I am a bit on the younger side, but over the age of majority and in higher education, so my place in life isn’t entirely solidified yet. Which is where the main worry comes from with me afraid that I’m shooting myself in the foot before I’ve had a chance to branch out in my life. Which I believe would limit me significantly as a person, and my ability to be a useful supporter for a party. Which is why I was worried about the prospect of slipping up before I even begin in regards to the future with jobs, legally, with governmental positions, and most importantly university as I am in a low community college at the moment due to life not going very well these past few years, and looking to transfer as soon as possible. So I was worried about an innately liberal institution shooting me down due to a political affiliation even if it isn’t fully public. Along with that I do thankfully keep a very small online footprint, and the social repercussions aren’t very worrying to me, mainly the professional, legal, and permeant consequences. At least to begin with, as I doubt jumping in headfirst would be benifical for anyone anyways, but I do see myself escalating my involvement in the future.
To answer your last question however, I am in the United States, particularly on the East Coast where “leftie” politics are extremely despised at worst and not tolerated at best. If knowing that would change your answer a little bit, I’m open to listening, especially as you are also from the US.
I seriously doubt it would impact university admissions, especially for a bachelor’s. Unfortunately I think most schools are being run by business freaks that just want to sell degrees, not to say that you can’t find plenty of great teachers and receive a good education. But I may be wrong.
I’m personally living in a pretty liberal decent-sized city in the US, only a couple people I know have been really combative at my political ideology. I should be safe to join the youth league or something right?
I think so? but do use your discretion :), comrade!