Taking a cue from the labor movement, YCL Summer 99 will help organize new members into struggle.
Since January 1997, more than 2,000 young people have joined the YCL, and the trend continues. At the end of the 1990s, the young Communist movement in the U.S. is about to reach the next level - a mass Young Communist League.
Dynamic talked with Israel Smith, YCL national coordinator, to find out what's next for the YCL.
DYN: Can you tell us about the recent growth of the YCL?
IS: At the national office we are overwhelmed - and it's great! The YCL is growing so fast, we can barely keep up with it. Every week we receive e-mail from new members who are starting clubs in their area. A lot of them are building clubs in places where we haven't had organization in a long time, especially in the south - places like St. Augustine, and Jacksonville, Nashville, and Lynchburg - and that's just off the top of my head!
DYN: Are new YCL members only coming from the Internet?
IS: No, wherever we have active clubs, whether its Chicago, New York City, or Louisville, they are recruiting new members all the time through local struggles for jobs, education, affordable housing, and against police brutality, and racism. The YCL is there, working with others to build broad multiracial unity around the issues. People are joining at street fairs, conferences, open mic nights, demonstrations - even ball games.
DYN: How many new clubs are there?
IS: Dozens, and they're forming so fast we are having a hard time keeping track, but we are working overtime to communicate with new clubs as we prepare for the YCL Summer organizing drive.
DYN: We want to hear more about YCL Summer, but first tell us why people are joining?
IS: Many are joining as a form of protest against the crisis conditions they face every day. As young people we face low wages, unemployment, racism, hate crimes, police brutality, criminalization, racial profiling, under-funded schools, and now the threat of a ground war in Yugoslavia.
People are frustrated and angry - they see no future in capitalism. They are looking for a future to fight for, and a way to fight for it. The YCL has a message of struggle for jobs, education, equality, peace, and Bill of Rights Socialism USA. Young people are responding to that message.
DYN: Who's joining the YCL? Who are all these new members and club builders?
IS: They are working class youth - students from the college campuses, the high schools, young workers, employed and unemployed, male and female, straight and gay. Our members are a multiracial cross-section of our generation - African American, Puerto Rican, white, Mexican American, Asian, young people from the Caribbean, Central America, and Eastern Europe. The YCL is not only the fastest growing youth organization on the left, but also the most diverse because our membership is drawn from the entire working class.
DYN: So people like what the YCL is saying?
IS: Yes, the YCL has a vision for a socialist USA where instead of the billions of dollars in corporate profits going to the few rich families on top, it would go towards the needs of those who created this wealth - workers and their families. Socialism in the U.S. would mean that employment, education, housing, and recreation would be guaranteed.
There are enough resources and money in this country to fulfill the basic needs of everyone. Because socialism develops differently in every country, there are no universal models to follow. We believe that socialism in the U.S. will be built according to the traditions, history, culture, and conditions of the United States. It will be uniquely American. That's our ultimate goal - Socialism, USA.
DYN: That sounds great, but is it really possible?
IS: It's not just possible, it's inevitable. What makes Communists different is we see that struggle is inevitable. Throughout history there has always been a struggle between the haves and the have-nots. People will only be pushed around, taken advantage of, and denied food, shelter, education, and health care for so long before they start fighting back.
Capitalism creates two basic classes, the ruling class, who own the factories, land and resources, and the working class, who own only their ability to work. The working class has always struggled against being exploited; it has no other choice. The Young Communist League understands this and initiates movements around people's issues and link it to the system.
DYN: Like the Youth and Student Bill of Rights?
IS: Right! Unemployment and racism are built into the capitalist system. That's why the YCL initiated the National Committee for a Youth and Student Bill of Rights. It's a way to unite around a basic agenda for young people's lives that demands things like: jobs at living wages with affirmative action, quality public education, full equality, affordable housing and health care.
DYN: What's next for the YCL?
IS: The task now in front of us is to organize! Many of our new members don't live near clubs. Some areas have lots of new members that could easily form a club, and just need some help getting organized. And of course, established clubs could always use a boost.
First, we are calling a special expanded YCL National Council meeting in New York June 12-13. We want to get as many members to New York as possible. Then, we'll be doing two weekends of training seminars for people who want to organize the YCL.
In July, two teams will hit the road. One team will travel to cities throughout the midwest, the other will tour the south. The National Office will call clubs and new members ahead of time to organize events for when the YCL Summer crew comes through their town. Some events will be organized way ahead of time. Other actions will be planned on the fly as the summer unfolds.
DYN: Sort of like "Road Rules" with a purpose?
IS: Yeah, that's exactly the point - to help new members organize clubs and bring them into active working class struggle and have fun while doing it.
We'll be taking part in solidarity marches and protests, and actions on the Youth and Student Bill of Rights. We'll volunteer at soup kitchens, and petition for the Martinez Jobs Bill.
We'll be having street corner speak-outs and walk picket lines with striking workers. We'll have picnics, play basketball, and visit a congressman or two. Through it all, we'll be building new clubs, visiting new members, and holding "meet the YCL" backyard barbecues.
DYN: It sounds like fun. Can people help?
IS: Yes, if you want to help, let us know ASAP. We need lots of volunteers. Some people who will travel, others who want to stay in one place to organize. That's the other part that I forgot to mention. For example, two YCL organizers will work in New York City in July. We're trying to do that in other cities, too. It's going to be a great summer and we're planning now, so call the YCL National Office.
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