Re: [Marxism] Did Cannon have a "liquidationist" position on theBlackquestion in the U.S.?

[Louis Proyect <lnp3@xxxxxxxxx>]

Marvin:
> One of the strongest indicators of  national consciousness is the formation
> of mass nationalist political parties as vehicles to realize national
> aspirations, eg. in Quebec, the Basque country, Ireland, Zionism, etc. This
> hasn't accompanied militant episodes in the history of the black freedom
> struggle in the US, and I'm wondering how the parties to this discussion
> account for it in their analyses.

That reflects the power of the 2-party system in the USA, which also
explains the failure of a Labor Party to take root as well. Plus, you had
the leading radical party in the 1930s abandoning class politics and
becoming part of the Democratic Party. Additionally, you have a problem
with ultraleftism in the Black community in which 3rd party bids have
become de facto revolutionary organizations often tainted with "pick up the
gun" notions.

People had high hopes that Jesse Jackson's primary bids under the rubric of
the Rainbow Coalition might have evolved into a Black-led 3rd party but
when push came to shove, Jackson revealed himself to be an unvarnished
reformist.

Generally speaking, there is not a lot of motion in the Black community
now, nor is there an effective "street" leadership. I think of what MLK Jr.
would have done in the aftermath of Katrina and lament his passing ever
more keenly.


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