As western communists in the 2020s, we find ourselves uniquely situated in time and space. For many, it is a time of high emotions and increasing revolutionary consciousness, but a feeling of helplessness and hopelessness has infected the hearts of many others. Have you felt that you have nothing material to contribute to the struggle? Instead of continuing to doom-scroll or fill your time with bourgeois distractions, here are ten concrete ways you can become a stronger comrade right now.
1. Learn a new language
Learning a new language may seem like a daunting task, but if you work at it a little each day, you will see real results faster than you might expect! If you live in the U.S., consider prioritizing Spanish, especially if you do any work around tenant organizing. It is the second most spoken language in the country and is very useful in a variety of situations. Language Transfer has a full Spanish course available for free, and Drops is a good tool for building vocabulary. There are many other free tools available, such as Refold.la and Language Reactor, that can help along the way.
If you live in Canada, also consider prioritizing Mandarin as it is the second most spoken language there. HelloChinese is a wonderful free mobile app, and Drops also has Chinese available.
2. Learn first aid & CPR
Having knowledge of basic medical skills is very useful in an emergency, be it at a protest or in your everyday community life. Even if you’ve been trained in the past, keeping your skills sharp and refreshed is critical to successful support. Free online text- and graphic-based CPR training that complies with regulations from the AHA, ECC, and OSHA is available here, and low-cost certification programs are available through the National CPR Foundation. Additionally, you should learn how to administer and receive narcan – take some time to research where this is available in your community.
3. Meet your neighbors
Community safety is vital to community organizing. If you don’t know your neighbors, take a moment to introduce yourself if you’re able, even if it’s awkward. If you don’t want to knock on their doors, consider writing a polite note with your contact information and an invitation to meet up at a third space (like a coffee shop) or leave some allergen-friendly cookies, produce from your garden, or flowers. A small gesture of goodwill can go a long way in facilitating trust and safety in your neighborhood!
4. Join or start a reading group
There is no better time to start engaging with theory than right now, and there is no better way to work through and analyze theory than with a reading group! Unity-Struggle-Unity has published a guide to starting and facilitating a reading group, including a comprehensive reading list available for free PDF download or print purchase.
5. Know your community resources
Do you know where your closest food pantry, warming shelter, and free clinic are? How about phone numbers for poison control or your neighbors? Take some time to research what is available in your area, including any community de-escalation or policing alternatives. If you are able to do so, amalgamate these resources and distribute them as a document in your community or through a local organization!
6. Brush up on protest safety
If there is a demonstration in your area, it is your responsibility to keep yourself and your comrades safe. Friendly Local Street Medic has wonderful guides about physical and legal safety. Make sure you research local legal specifications before going out, and remember that only water goes in eyes.
7. Be mindful of how you spend your money
Pay close attention to news of local boycotts, lists of union-made goods, and lists created as a part of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. Never cross a picket line and spread awareness of financial actions whenever you are able.
8. Volunteer in your community
If you are able, spend time volunteering at a food pantry, community shelter, or with a local communist or radical organization providing other aid. This will help you get to know your community while building essential organizing and life skills. Joining an organization can be valuable on this front – they will likely have done research about what the community truly needs, which prevents the sort of chauvinism perpetrated by non-profit organizations who claim to “know best.”
9. Know your history
Apart from theory, learning about the history of communism and communist organizing is of great value. In addition to earlier texts like John Reed’s Ten Days that Shook the World, read books like Black Bolshevik by Harry Haywood and Hammer and Hoe by Robin D. G. Kelley that examine race and class within the struggle in the United States. Unity-Struggle-Unity is hosting a workshop on the history of organizing on December 20th, that you can sign up for, here: Short History of Organizing Sign-up
10. Take real, meaningful care of yourself
“Self-care” is a term that has truly been put through the wringer by neoliberalism, but there is a kernel of value to be found in the buzz of sheet masks and bubble baths. Care tasks such as getting as much sleep as possible, spending more time outdoors, and taking intentional social time are highly beneficial to our minds and bodies. We cannot pour from an empty cup in our personal or political lives; taking time to figure out how we can take better care of ourselves is a vital revolutionary task.
It is vital that we do not give in to despair during difficult times. Redirect your energy into becoming a stronger comrade and help your community strengthen and rise up beside you!
