review of Beyond Fragments illustrates one of the points made Robowtham: whenever called into question the usually responds by accusing questioner of 'gross caricature'.
Leninism is not obsolete.
tradition 1S because historical conditions changed, and because some OI Is original positions were wrong.
Leninism holds consciousness that carries the danger of leadership fetishism programmatic purism. It has a theory cadres. professional aries and of politics that refuses to see personal life as the legitimate concern of collective political activity. It also has a static idea of the working class, which it sees as divided between an industrial sector, the 'centre', thé community sectors and auton movements, which relegated to a devalued 'periphery'.
Many of these weaknesses have been uncovered • struggle against orthodox and Leninism. If the best elements of Leninism, centred around the idea of the vanguard organisation, are to be be rejected.
Valeria says precisely by Sheila Lynne is in Big Flame Leninism is Leninist the cruncally. illas Dul luc inadequate autonomous movements have (Liverpool)
theory of and revolutionIn her Fragments (12 July), argues that the More correct and are feminists in a Marxism Valerie preserved, then other aspects ofit must that It's a crying shame that revolutionary women are not willing to do that' (build a party). This ignores the fact that Sheila has been in the IS and Hilary the IMG.
The real 'shame' is that the far left is totally unwilling to examine itself be driven away from revolutionary organisations a great many militants, especially those in the in Beyond The those Valerie Coultas • DOOK IS is opening statement of her review: "Beyond the Fragments represents (an) attempt... to develop a...critique of Leninisin. By covertly assuming that Leninism and Marxism are identical in their views on consciousness, the role to theory, and methods or organisation, critique of Leninism for an attack on Marxism.
target of Beyond Davy Fragments is not Marxism, nor even pure Leninism. It is Leninism practised in the last 25 years by the majority of the British left (Stalinist, Trotskyist, Maoist, I.S., communist). Since she misses point, Valerie fails to reply effectively to Beyond The Fragments.
Valerie concludes: '...you need to organised nationally internationally), you need to have a a movemen, art can challenge movement, challenge reformism... . But I can find nothing Beyond The Fragments contradicts these ideas. Valerie simply assumes that any 'popular socialist party that can challenge reformism must be Leninist.
I believe in the possibility of mass revolutionary politics. But we must learn from history, avoiding in future organisational features British Leninism which have helped to keep the revolutionary left locked in a ghetto or in dead-end entryist poltics.
Revolutionary socialists need to embark on the most extensive self-criticism if the mass party valerie wants is to be built. Beyond The Fragments is not perfect. But if it contributes the experience feminists to this process, it will have done the cause of socialism a service. GEORGE HARDY (N.E. Leeds ANL)
There was an important omission in Jones' report on the ANL conference. He mentioned decision of the ANL to campaign against the racism of the state, but the concient also supported campaign on immigration controls.
A number of delegates, including Dearden Oldham stressed the need for the ANL to work Campaign Against Immigration Laws.
This unity is vital. All reports that the number has multiplied Thatcher's victory.
ANWAR HUSSEIN (West London)
attacks on Rights'. Fri S Oct: "Who Are the AntiAbortionists?' 7.30pm, Conway Hall, Red Lion Square, London WC1. Organised by Contraception, and Sterilisation Campaign.
*PATRIOT GAME' Thurs 9 Aug, Clapham Common North Side) 7.30pm. Adm. 75p organised by South London UTOM ROOM AVAILABLE in London from 13 to Reply to Box 1866, Soc Chall.
BOOKS for Southern Africa comrades -money desperately needed for this vital field of international activity. Or send any books you can spare. Books for Southern Africa. BOX NO 102, Challenge, PO Box 50, London NI.
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as Eurothis (and that OI of the IN THE aftermath of thè police riot in Southall: and the Peach, what happened in Leicester has been forgotten. remind ourselves that the police rioted on ANL, militants were arrested and some have received prison sentences, including a miner from Doncaster.
Our total of £20,000. have £2,300. On 1 May and 21 July we organised solidarity demonstrations with the defendants and the prisoners. Some NF and British thugs turned up to jeer and were well-protected by the police.
the judiciary fascists has never been so blatant. Many prisoners were charged two weeks after the events. Five are in prison and two-thirds have yet to be tried. One of the worst magistrates is a Labour Party trade-union official.
ANL's solidarity has met Abortion HOW Abortion Common Library (Clapham North-west 28 Aug (inclusive).
THE The leg of a demonstrator after being attacked by a police dog.
murder of Blair Workers should Marshall, Leicester South.
April. Many court costs will be so far raised support Movement The use of the lower echelons of Civil intimidate April enquiries member and Committee, appeal for PAUL CURTIS with a good socialist books at a big discount-and delivered to you IT WORKS. You send us £4.0 for which you will receive the books ANGER ON THE ROAD by Jimmy CAMERAWORK ON NORTHERI RELAND 160p Edgery d29 ANGER By Davi REPURI wright le 40) Beynon & Hilary ON THE in (E2 951 WELFARE b real see nature rehe Send to BOOKMARX CLUB, 265 Seven Sisters" Road. London, N4 response trom Doncaster Nationál Union of Miners; the local Indian Association and Jim the Labour MP for We also face increasing harassment from racists. A local bookshop, Blackthorn Books, has had windows smashed four times in : fortnight by racists. Needless to say, they have not been caught.
In the shadow of Southall it has not been easy to mobilise national for But this support is extremely vital. The Anti Nazi League has agreed to distribute nationally a pamphiet which we are producing. The National Council of Liberties are producing amphlet on the police's role on 2 We are still desperately short of funds and would appeal to readers to send us donations. All monies April Defence c/o Blackthorne Books, Highcross Street, Leicester.
1979 one other list of your choice Extra lists can b I will save pounds on the retail value of the books shown, set toush as net any socialist. Eucl the shelves of — LIST D' Fowes INCH LEUTENANT'S WOMAN ty I RED HARVEST By bashiel Harme: (60pl - LIST D2:
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Socialist Challenge 2 August 1979 page lI
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