Mary Claire G, Brooklyn, NY
I left Boone, NC years ago, after I graduated from Appalachian State University. I never dreamed I would one day return and work with communists building for revolution.
While visiting family, I made the two hour journey up the mountain to visit the Boone RCA comrades. On the first day of classes at Appalachian State, I saw students flood to our table.
Many were already self-professed communists. Those who came up out of curiosity ended up agreeing with all that we said. Within an hour, ten students had signed up on the spot. At a college where I never read Marx or Engels but certainly a lot of postmodernist fluff, the communist flag flew high on the quad that day.
Ten years ago, the most radical form of political expression in Boone might’ve been an anarchist zine at a coffee shop. This is a town where I frequently saw confederate flags on trucks. Before the 2016 election, there were rumors of far-right groups postering on campus. Conditions have changed and political consciousness is shifting rapidly.
I see that in myself. But I also see it in college students at recruiting tables this year. I returned to Brooklyn and have been recruiting at Brooklyn College. I’m meeting students who want to get involved because they know capitalism is dying. Confronted with the horrors of imperialism, students are looking for real steps towards socialism. When they do, they’re finding comrades from RCA.
From Boone to Brooklyn and beyond, we must raise up our own political consciousness and understanding to meet these students now and organize for revolution. Here’s to the communist flag flying on every campus!