In a revealing piece that only confirms my reticence and reluctance to identify as a “Socialist” (in the institutional, political party related European way; not in principle or ideology), the World Socialist Website, published by the International Committee of the Fourth International, chimes in on an article published by The Nation: The Nation joins the campaign against Julian Assange.
And this is what they have to say on the subject (emphasis mine, although really, I don’t think it is all that necessary):
Such a development was predictable, given the history of the journalist and the publication, but that does not make it any less reprehensible… or educational. The arguments employed by Pollitt shed further light on the politically rotten character of contemporary feminism and identity politics generally.
and then this:
Identity politics in America is increasingly exposed for what it is—a method of duping people, of covering over the enormous social divide, and, not accidentally, enriching a layer of African-Americans, gays and professional feminists. Political charlatans like Pollitts should be objects of derision and contempt.
In case anyone doubts the importance of this website in the wider, Socialist movement, their About page, World Socialist Web Site, dispels all notions of irrelevance:
The World Socialist Web Site is published by the International Committee of the Fourth International, the leadership of the world socialist movement, the Fourth International founded by Leon Trotsky in 1938.
The WSWS aims to meet the need, felt widely today, for an intelligent appraisal of the problems of contemporary society. It addresses itself to the masses of people who are dissatisfied with the present state of social life, as well as its cynical and reactionary treatment by the establishment media.
Our web site provides a source of political perspective to those troubled by the monstrous level of social inequality.
And this, right there, in clear text, is the reason why I find their politics and ideas nauseating and alienating. Sorry, you cannot have equality while you claim that African Americans, gays and professional feminists (whatever that means) profit from their (our) activism. Brogressive dogmas have no place in my politics.
For the past decade and a half I have been making all my content available for free (and never behind a paywall) as an ongoing practice of ephemeral publishing. This site is no exception. If you wish to help offset my labor costs, you can donate on Paypal or you can subscribe to Patreon where I will not be putting my posts behind a lock but you'd be helping me continue making this work available for everyone. Thank you. Follow me on Twitter for new post updates.