Wanted: An American Hero
For An America Revolution
By Jonathan McCormack
10 July, 2009
Countercurrents.org
Every movement needs a hero. In the USA, to embody socialist principles and link people together in a common vision, we’ve looked to other lands for such a figure; to Che or Lenin. However, to grow strong, the Left must root itself in an American revolutionary tradition.
Our revolution must grow from its own native soil. In Mexico Subcomandante Marcos wisely named his group after Mexican revolutionary Emiliano Zapata. Chavez has utilized Simon Bolivar to create an authentic historically grounded movement in Venezuela. He has, as Aime Cesaire puts it, thrown off “the hideous leprosy of imitation.” The Black Panthers didn’t call for “a dictatorship of the proletariat,” they developed American-style Marxism and shouted “Power to the people!”
The Christian tradition, though largely hijacked by fascist Right agendas, still has strong socialist voices in the likes of Cornell West and the organization Sojourners. The Left has often ignored the great legacy of Christian socialists like Dorothy Day, Thomas J. Haggerty, and Helen Keller.
Martin Luther King got shot just as his campaign to eradicate poverty was starting. Exclusively linked to civil rights, his socialist tendencies are ignored. Thomas Paine is a good candidate but unfortunately, ignoring his socialist side, the Right has appropriated Paine to their own cause, successfully mobilizing a populist movement the left could learn from.
Eugene V. Debs may be the best bet. A fiery orator, Debs co-founded the IWW (the famous Wobblies) and even ran for president five times –once from jail!-on the Socialist Party of America ticket, which are still around today.
Disillusioned by Obama and reformism, American’s are ripe for revolution, if only someone would speak their language. We don’t need a Chinese, Russian, or Cuban revolution – we need a brand new American one, forged with its own unique proud voice.
Jonathan McCormack is a professional artist, substance abuse counselor, and activist. He has a degree in Social work and live in NY.He is involved with several socialist organizations that fight for justice, peace, and social equality. He can be reached at [email protected]
