I just had a call with one of the party organizers in a city near me and basically the conclusion we came to is that I should wait to join as a membership due to my age as I’m in a very transitory phase in my life, end of high-school -> college/workforce age. My mental state is also not very good but a major motivator for me to get better and stay sober was so that I could be the best comrade I can be. Now it looks like I won’t be able to join until I am moved out and independent (which will likely be another year and a few months just because money exists)
It’s really disheartening because I basically live for and am obsessed with aiding in systemic change and the fall of capitalism and I just want to help so bad. I feel like such a useless parasite right now, like I’m aware of how bad things are and yet I’m still just not able to do anything.
I know it would do wonders for me mentally too, having a purpose, to work towards something with people I love and am like-minded with. Just joining this community and shooting shit online with comrades has made me feel better, I can’t imagine what serious organizing would do for me which would in turn make me a better and more dedicated member of the party. I really want to be a good person and a good comrade.
I’ve always struggled with my age restricting me from things I feel like I can handle because I’ve always been kind of a nerdy, “mature for my age” type. Not saying I’m special or trying to be arrogant it’s just I’ve always had different outlooks/thought processes and different priorities than my peers. I have connected far more meaningfully with the adult world my entire life, in part because I can learn so much from them, and also in part because I was raised by them and had no siblings, cousins, anything like that.
The organizer is very nice, I admire them a lot and it’s just an unfortunate situation. I don’t want to wait to help. I want to get out there.
Sorry for the rant, just feeling useless
You would think they would see one being in a naturally transitory phase as a key demographic to recruit, their behavior comes off as gatekeeping. Even if they were looking for older and thus seen as reliable comrades to join who doesn’t have a youth league??
Which org was this?
I don’t really want to out the organization publicly in case it makes anyone think twice. They really have been doing great things and have been very nice to me.
They said I can still come to their events, protests, and mingle with them just that I wouldn’t be able to be a full party member yet because of mental issues and age and distance (I live about an hour and a half drive away). They said organizing is really a lot of responsibility and shit like that so I think they’re nervous but ye.
So yeah I don’t really know what to think of it. I understand it but I just thought it would show commitment and passion being this young and wanting to hop in, yknow? I mean I’ve driven down to the branch’s area 2 times now for a protest and event… I’m obviously willing to do this for real. I don’t know lol
I understand. Are there any other parties in your area you could join (that are worth joining) while you are temporarily unable to join this one? I can’t pretend I understand the party’s reasoning and joining a party would indeed be good for you in finding a place to be recipient of your efforts and keep you on a beneficial track.
Always know that you can never be a parasite, only rent seekers can be parasites.
Sounds like this guy in 1973.
Don’t allow ‘membership’ to define you or validate you.
You got an answer from your local party. If you really want to join that group, start making plans. Or call them again and ask if they can support you getting a youth league started (just my 2c but it seems monumentally stupid that they’re rejecting teens and young people; that age range where ideology starts to take root).
You got this.
Xi? :)
I’m trying not to let it define/invalidate me but I don’t know what I can do by myself, I’m pretty useless right now. I really want to get involved with them as soon as possible because they know what they’re doing and I really don’t lol
they know what they’re doing
Do they, though? They’re rejecting teens and young people at a time when teens and young people are rejecting the status quo and looking for groups that offer an alternative.
Anyway, it is what it is. Don’t underestimate your ability to lead yourself though. You have a goal. What do you need to do to achieve it?
Hi comrade, I’m sorry to hear about the state of things :(. On the other hand, I’m glad to hear you’re doing what’s best for your healing :). Hmm, did they say anything about attending public forums?
Yeah this seems like a good idea. Ask them how you can mingle with them without joining. There still might be some opportunities.
There is always volunteer work that you can do. In the meantime focus on your education and on developing skills that will be useful to your community, to the party and to the revolution. These can be as varied as gardening, mechanical or electrical repair, plumbing, learning self-defense, graphic design (we want to be able to make effective propaganda), honing your writing skills or even leaning to code (so we can build more of our own online spaces like lemmygrad so we don’t have to use corporate platforms that are controlled and censored by the class enemy).
And of course read, read, read! This is something that all the great communists emphasized.
Yes this is a great idea. Just want to add engineering, offensive conflict skills as well not only defensive, and I know you touched on mechanical repair but I want to specify vehicle repair especially large trucks which can transport a lot of people (army vehicles, trucks used by the natgard, and commerial pickups and SUVs) as these are likely to be used in a revolutionary condition. We are not in a revolutionary moment right now but if everyone trains on propaganda and comms then we’ll have no technicians when the time comes so I like throwing this in once and a while.
For conflict skills try to study materials and train with vets instead of enlisting. You won’t be as experienced but you won’t be brainwashed by the empire either. Engineering shelters, clinics, bridges and pontoons especially but buildings in general.
And of course, follow your natural inclinations. These are just suggestions, one must fulfill one’s natural role in society, simply orientate one’s studies and aims towards the revolution and proletarian class interests instead of just ‘going with the flow’.
Any chance you can collect yourself and re-approach and ask again? Do you think perhaps they might make an exception for you if you press them and illustrate your passion?
And even if you really can’t, it’s okay, real life experience is ALWAYS valuable. You are no parasite just by living my friend.
Relatable, but as @cfgaussian said, for the moment just study and learn things is all you need to do, comrade. It will help you be more effective at organizing and activity of the revolution in the future.
I’m sure this comrade believes he can leave the door open for you
Focus on studying theory and applying yourself in college for whatever you’re studying, when you get the balance down right or even graduate you can still get involved
You have your age working for you and it’s the best thing! Don’t forget to enjoy your youth too
