Organization Means Commitment

by Grace Lee Boggs

This reprint from the revolutionary New Afrikan journal Vita Wa Watu was originally published by the Anarchist Black Cross Federation. It argues for a disciplined revolutionary cadre organization from a Marxist-Leninist perspective, but as it states in the ABCF foreword, "this does not mean that the document is useless to one who wishes to form a revolutionary organization upon anarchist or anti-authoritarian principles."

Genres: Nonfiction, Theory, Activism

20 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1972

Reviews

[anna]

a step-by-step guide on how to start a successful revolution, and how to ensure that the powerful energy doesn't just peter out in a few rebellious acts. discipline, commitment, self-criticism, a clear goal. and don't forget that really, at its core, any revolution is rooted in love and should bring about the positive evolution of humankind.

[Cade]

I hesitate from saying that anything is "mandatory" reading, but this is as close as I'll get. Grace Lee Boggs did an incredible job with this pamphlet and I highly suggest you read it.

https://shatteringhegemony.files.word...

[Kieran]

It was interesting. does it count towards my reading goal this year? It was only thirty pages! hmmm

[kelly]

“US liberalism or the evasion of responsibility is what most Americans mean by “freedom””

A very practical blueprint for organizing, and I learned so much. Theory can be hard to digest, but this is pretty accessible.

[Yasmeen Jaaber]

Okay, finally I'm logging something this year that I actually enjoyed. LOL.

I like this idea of sticking to programs and carrying those out. I think I like the idea of staying focused, even as there are hotter political moments. And like you can participate in those moments without giving in to the misguided notion that those are the moments when things Really Change.

I like the concept of testing out ideas...

Just felt like a very practical guide, that feels more relevant to the nature of organizing in the united states. Also, yah, regularly scheduled meetings, leadership, and consistent programs are so importanttt.

[Edward]

Amazing

[Rocky]

“They knew that anything which men and women create, any advance humankind makes, mush have a beginning and that every beginning must be made by those few individuals who choose to begin something because they feel it should be begun. Before something can GROW, it must first BE.”

[Malia Hair]

how to build a successful revolution: discipline, commitment, self-criticism, clear goals. great text to understand the basis of my commie reading group.

democratic centralism is when everyone gets an equal opinion (work to make quieter ppl heard/ vise versa) but act as a group to get shit done. smaller revolutionary cadres are better than huge ones with paper members because you can ensure everyone is committed and not waste time on ppl who aren’t (or let in libs who water down or str8 up kill revolutionary momentum). also harder for cia to infiltrate. bringing class consciousness/ revolutionary education up among the small group should be goal #1. actions rly shouldn’t be taken before that point or its j anarchist randomness without a good understanding of direction/intention. shoutout anarchists, y’all r so hot but naive and ML dialectical historical materialists have my heart

[shiv!]

I think I need to reread this when I'm not listening to a baby cry for 45 min on the plane.. but while there were definitely pearls in here, I found it to be repetitive and a bit of a tease insofar as beginning to untangle why we shouldn't transplant Marx/Lenin onto today's revolutionary praxis but not getting us to the end. More was needed to fully understand the why behind this 'revolutionary propaganda' - but, if an organizer is simply looking for a guide of creating one, then this is a good one.

[Javier]

Written by Grace Lee Boggs

[Juhyundred]

I've definitely read this multiple times this year since first being exposed to it. Like probably five times. Can't stress how good this is.

[Izy Carney]

Helpful and semi-applicable.

[tatum hurley]

I’m so fucking mad that this wasn’t recommended to me two years ago😭😭😭 Anyway join an org or build one but read this first

[Legs]

this was formative for me in the same way the dispossessed was formative for me. shout out to grace lee boggs

[tatiana]

short & clear. wish I had read this earlier.

[June Min]

must read — super accessible, helps tie together a lot of things, real grounding too

[Peter]

Oh s***. Wish I read this 10 years ago.

[Charles Baker]

Crucial read for organizers. Who is the Grace Lee Boggs of our time,

[Joe Tessy]

eh, it has its purpose but I wouldn’t put it on a pedestal

[Brianna DeNamur]

I think this pamphlet is important and instructive. Though it was written decades ago, the content is still super relevant.

[ez]

it really all comes down to love

[biped4]

one day i’ll get dialectics

[Amy]

Important reflections and firm suggestions on how and why to get organized into a revolutionary network. Good stuff we would all benefit from reading.

[Amir]

Goes well with Combat Liberalism

[adeline]

transform yourself to transform the world!

[amy]

Written by Grace Lee Boggs