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Recently had my first proper discussion about Marxism-Leninism with a colleague. I have realised I need a well thought out plan, as my mind was full of responses but no structure to properly create a correct introductory discourse.
Any advice on how to slowly introduce someone without immediately scaring them off? Fighting against years of anti-communist and anti-china/dprk propaganda makes it harder than expected
Like dudithebudi said listen to them and respond. Think of it like improv, they say a subject, (any subject) and you say “yes, and… its capitalism’s fault” (some people might respond better to the ruling class, the billionaires, big corporations, etc) Nearly every problem comes back to capitalism, even the weather.
Once you have established that the problem is capitalism you say “and under communism that problem wont happen.” and as they scoff and say “but communism never works” (or whatever other slander they have against communism) you say “Who told you that? Capitalists. bit of a conflict of interest there hey?” “capitalists have a monopoly on education, media, art, and culture, and they use that control to demonize their only legitimate rival.” Then send them to Yellow Parenti.
Yellow Parenti jumpscare. Thanks for the response comrade. They seem to be open to dialogue so I’ll try again with this approach. I think the recent events (Epstein, Cuba etc.) have already “softened” the general population to the idea that maybe capitalism isn’t really all that great, so that might give a good starting point.
Just listen to them about their general complaints about capitalism and then show them the actually existing benefits that socialism can bring them. Radicalization doesn’t come from arguments about Stalin, it comes from just showing them that their complaints and frustrations are valid and are an issue with their economic system, and that a superior alternative has, indeed existed. A great communist is a great listener, of course.
That’s a nice way to put it, and it’s very true. Thanks for the response comrade. I can see the benefits of this approach. Eventually we’ll find common ground on the current issues and problems of society, and showing how they all are in fact direct symptomps of capitalism instead of “coincidences” would definitely have a greater effect. I’ll get my hands on all our sources and get ready for a new occasion.