Student Organization

[Swimmingadict]

I am here to announce that the Students of an un named town in Montana are organized in a socialist club to promote socialism and anti war activity. However, we were banned from meeting, but now we are reorganizing. The name is Students for an Egalitarian Society. We have ten members and would like similar organizations to start through out the US. Do you think we should become group with chapters?

[P.O.U.M]

why not?

[ThrockmeisterZ]

It would be awesome to se the SES go national. I think we should try to get the world out in some socialist papers.

[Red Student]

Originally posted by Swimmingadict
I am here to announce that the Students of an un named town in Montana are organized in a socialist club to promote socialism and anti war activity.

What kind of students (high school, university, etc.)? Is the club a formal organization?

However, we were banned from meeting, but now we are reorganizing.

Who banned you? Why do you need to re-organize?

The name is Students for an Egalitarian Society. We have ten members and would like similar organizations to start through out the US. Do you think we should become group with chapters?

There is too much 'organization' going around and too little actual work! I would advise you to join an established organization (eg. http://www.newyouth.com/)

[Monster]

"we were banned from meeting"

Sounds dangerous... If I were you, I wouldn't go telling the wrong people what you were doing, only potential contacts and stuff. And I agree with Red Student, together we stand stronger, check out what YFIS stands for instead of starting st. new all the time. YFIS has experience with helping new groups starting, and we (a lot of us on this forum) would gladly answer any political questions you might have about joining the YFIS.

Otherwise, please tell us why you are thinking of starting something new..?

[Swimmingadict]

We are a high school group. We want to awaken the conscious of the students. We want to start work on student and labor unions. We cannot do this if we are strictly YFIS. I am in the process of becoming a member, but S.E.S. is just the Left of students mostly anarchist, "socialists" and communists. We can combat petty secretarianism within the left of the student movement but having one group. We are open to all Parties and leagues. If we can recruit enough we can possibly awaken the conscious of the students. Reason and education will lead them to the WIL, so we don't need to be a strictly Trotskyite group and we don’t wish to be a YFIS group because we aren’t the only left wing group of the movement.
   Here is how we were banned. We started planning the group, which was called The Red Students United then, about two months ago. We asked for the proper paperwork, but they gave us the wrong kind, and we submitted it. The day that it was announced, before they knew of our error, I was called into the Principle’s office. A gym teacher, a rich exiled Cuban, freaked out and was screaming at one of our members, someone said he was actually held back by a teacher and others that he was just being calmed down by that teacher. The principle said we couldn't have a socialist group, he used the words, "Unpatriotic" and said we could have global affairs discussion group, and socialism could be mentioned but not discussed. Our sponsor, who I had a ten minutes talk about having a socialist group on campus the day before, said we tricked him! This was after he spent the morning with the principle. Since then he has reconsidered that, mostly because he lost any respect with the students.  I refused to give him, the principle, the names of the others in the group, he got mad, and I said we wouldn't change our name or abandon our beliefs. We called the ACLU, they gave us a lawyer's number who would defend us if needed. So we had a meeting and said we would change the name, but now we have to go through the bureaucracy. The superintendent can block us because of our content, but we will mention the word lawsuit if he does. So there is the situation

[P.O.U.M]

You truly have to love Americas hypocrisy of the first amendment, freedom of speach.

[Swimmingadict]

I know when I returned to my first period class and they asked what was wrong i said, "well i guess the first amendment is gone and America's policies can be justified because stalin did it" The principle also said, "if you were in Russia you would be in prision,"

[Monster]

Again, it sounds to me like you've been trying to get to the wrong persons... the WIL stands firmly on the principle of economical independence, which means that they don't allow themselves to be ordered around by some "sponsors", telling them to cut down on the revolutionary program. This can be difficult at times, but gives a different kind of freedom, political freedom, which is crucial for a political movement. Just must fund the basics of your organisation from your own pockets! If they can do it in Pakistan and Mexico, you should be able as well!

But I don't get the stuff with your principal. Aren't you allowed to meet outside school, or..? Why do you have to listen to him? Because you are using classrooms at school for discussion, or how?

I've recived a likewise ban, about not to talk about politics at the common assembly at school, even though my principal does it himself. Next time I do so, he'll throw me out of school (at least he says so, if he actually does it, he'll get fired himself I think...)

But good luck on building socialism in the US - we need it!

[Swimmingadict]

Well I understand, but others who are starting this aren't WIL members so its a problem. But if we were to hold it outside of school it would be about 100 bucks each meeting, the building and such. Yeah i don't listen to that bastard anymore. We Will Win!

[P.O.U.M]

Maybe you could use a conference room at a library and say...your a "young republicuns club"

That is if you get more gruff.

Or...

Go to a coffee shop, get some coffee and just meet there for an hour a so a week for however much you plan to meet.

[mir]

I'd wish there was a political club at my school, but there is such totally apathy and the fact that the principal is so harsh.

[turnoviseous]

Originally posted by mir
I'd wish there was a political club at my school, but there is such totally apathy and the fact that the principal is so harsh.

Where are you studying anyway?

[P.O.U.M]

Where are you studying anyway?

Maybe you didnt frame the question right, but studying is what is generally done in schools, last I know.

[turnoviseous]

Originally posted by P.O.U.M
Maybe you didnt frame the question right, but studying is what is generally done in schools, last I know.

Yes, in schools indeed, but schools are located somewhere, no? :D

And since comrade mir said he will be going to USA to study, I was interested if he is in US or still in the home country.


:D No problem comrade.. :D


comradely,