[Marxism] Alan Benjamin's message to upcoming Steffie Brooks memorial

["Fred Feldman" <ffeldman@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Alan Benjamin is a national leader of Socialist Organizer.
Fred 


Dear Friends and Comrades:


I was very saddened to learn that Steffie had passed away. I learned about
her terrible battle from her and from David W. just after the Trotsky
conference in New York last summer. I had called her to request  help with
fundraising for Cynthia McKinney, only to learn that her political activity
was slowly coming to a close. What a terrible loss!


I had lost touch with Steffie for years and years. We went separate ways
politically, and I moved out to the West Coast in 1984. But we reconnected
in November 2007 around the McKinney campaign and the struggle for
independent Black political action. We talked and talked about the old days
in the SWP in New York, trying to figure out what had gone wrong, why so
many splits -- but mostly we talked about what to do today to advance our
common struggle for independent politics, and on this we saw eye to eye. It
was incredibly rewarding and re-energizing to hear her excitement and to
learn from her.


I feel terribly cheated that just as I was getting reacquainted with
Steffie, she contracted her terminal illness.


I wish I could be with all of you to celebrate her life and all that she
gave to so many of us. Unfortunately I will not be able to make the trip to
New York.


I join with you in recognizing her contributions to our movement and in
recommitting ourselves to the struggle that was her compass throughout her
adult life: the struggle for a socialist future to which she added an
important chapter.


Comradely,


Alan Benjamin
San Francisco





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