Statue of Karl Marx outside a store front in Penza, Russia. Photo courtesy of Unsplash/Pavel Neznanov.
Though many on the political left still feign denial when labelled “Marxist”, a recent episode illuminates why the label has been earned. Emily Drabinski was recently elected the new president of the American Library Association (ALA). When celebrating her election she gleefully exclaimed by Tweet: “I just cannot believe a Marxist lesbian who believes that collective power is possible to build and can be wielded for a better world is President elect of (the American Library Association).”
On par with the shocking Tweet was mainstream media coverage openly sympathetic to Marxism. NBC News, like almost all corporate news, offered no criticism of ALA electing an avowed Marxist. Their criticism was almost solely aimed at the backlash from mainstream traditional America. After painting critics of Drabinski in a negative light and Drabinski as a glass shattering heroine, NBC concluded “though (claiming to be a Marxist) has attracted backlash, Drabinski said she’s not going to hide her political opinions.”
In a ridiculous attempt to downplay the cruel reality of Marxism, NBC news described Marxism as “a political theory developed by German philosopher Karl Marx in the 19th century that critiques capitalism and analyzes class relations.” Yes, and Hitler was solely a critic of Jewish culture. The new left’s attempt to “mainstream” Marxism is insidious and threatens the foundations of the Republic. It is time for honesty about this threat and push back.
First, a reminder of what Americans of both major parties believed about the existential threat of Marxism to American freedom. Most are aware of the Republican party warnings about both the external and internal threat of Marxism as the basis of Communism during the Cold War. In running for Senate, Democrat John F. Kennedy was a passionate anti-Marxist. He delivered an insightful speech and referred to the Marxist Communist threat as “an enemy, power[full], unrelenting and implacable who seeks to dominate the world by subversion and conspiracy.”
Kennedy asserted that Marxism was “insidious” and attempted to tap into and generate resentment and conquer through “political & economic” spheres. Of note, these quotes were to an influential American union, not Republicans. President Lyndon B. Johnson similarly exhorted Americans of the existential importance in keeping the Marxism driving communism away from our shores and away from our hemisphere.
Cultural and religious leaders of both parties denounced Marxism, as Karl Marx proclaimed his object in life was to “dethrone God and destroy capitalism”. Marx not only “critiqued” capitalism, but sought to end private property, end the father/mother family and end the Church, claiming religion was the “opiate of the people”.
The 20th Century attempts to put Marxism (ideas from Marx’s books like “The Communist Manifesto” and “Das Capital”) into practice brought more death and suffering than any ideology in history. According to multiple accounts, including a noted Wall Street Journal article of the 100-year anniversary of the Soviet Bolshevik takeover, over 100 million died under Marxist Communism and it was described as the greatest catastrophe in history.
In every nation in which Marxists have come to power, suffering, death and the suffocation of freedom have been the results. With the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, most believed Marxism was on the ash heap of history as a failed and destructive ideology. Unfortunately, the monster is arising again on the American left.
Liberals may argue the election of an avowed Marxist to this national organization is really not a threat. That could be true, though the left’s support of this Marxist is making clear they stand behind this election and her views.
Beyond the media accounts slamming critics and putting a false veneer on Marxism, other progressive figures have defended Marxist leadership of ALA. Montana was the first in which the library commission left ALA over the Marxist leadership (though not the last). Slaven Lee, the liberal executive director of the hugely influential Missoula Public Library in Montana claimed the state’s decision to withdraw from ALA was misguided. Lee further claimed the decision was politically driven because “They’re disagreeing with her ((Drabinski) political beliefs”.
Lee went on to draw a comparison between Marxist critics and segregationists: “While not unprecedented, the last time that sort of action happened by a state was when states in the South were against desegregation of the (library) profession in the late 50s or 60s.” Lee continued, “What we’re hoping to do is make a statement as to why this undermines the profession, undermines equal access to information, and undermines freedom of speech, which is what public libraries stand for.”
As always, the Left finds some way to paint opponents as racists, even if most Democrats until recently would have been compelled to oppose Marxism. A number of other state library associations are similarly casting aspersions on those who criticize ALAs Marxist leadership.
We are watching Marxism in America picking up steam as the Left tries to mainstream it through all means at their disposal, including media. Up until the past couple of decades, virtually all Americans were in agreement on keeping the evil of Marxism from destroying American freedom. The light of truth must be poured on this evil. Both the evil of Marxism, and the insidious agenda to mainstream it on America. The time is now, before it’s too late.
Bill Connor is an Orangeburg, S.C. attorney, Army Infantry Colonel and author of the book “Articles from War.” The Standard newspaper is available in print and online. You may find videos available on at TheStandardSC on Rumble. The bulk of TheStandardSC video media channel has been censored by dominant social media groups like YouTube. YouTube, owed by Alphabet (Google), removed and destroyed almost all of our video work without permission or remuneration. That has stopped all potential donations from our many supporters on that venue. If you want to continue to see independent thought and reports please “like”, comment, share with a friend, and donate to support The Standard on this page to assure the continued availability of news that is ignored too often by the dominant media.
RSS - Posts