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Featured Commentary
The following featured comments are from individuals who have signed the Engage statement speaking to their view of Bob Avakian's work and what it has provoked in their own thinking.
Nick Setka, President, Northern California Independent Booksellers Association
Away With All Gods! Commentary
"Away With All Gods! needs to be on bookshelves around the country.
Blind faith in religion has always been an obstacle to the improvement of the people. Bob Avakian shows why this is the case. Avakian’s unjaundiced analysis of the role religion plays in contemporary politics and society is provocative, his criticism unsparing, and his solutions inspiring.
Bob Avakian has a unique perspective on the development of American society in the last 50 years. For over 30 years, Avakian has challenged conventional wisdom and, unlike those who have come lately to critical thinking, his observations on American imperialism have proven correct.
I admire Bob Avakian because he has never disavowed his opposition to U.S. imperialism. Twenty or thirty years ago, people who were speaking about U.S. imperialism were dismissed. Bob Avakian has been consistent and thoughtful in his criticism and condemnation of injustice and American imperialism.
For readers who want to learn more about the life of this innovative and critical thinker, I would encourage them to pick up Bob Avakian’s memoir From Ike to Mao and Beyond, My Journey from Mainstream America to Revolutionary Communist.
In addition to Away With All Gods!, Bob Avakian has produced an extraordinary body of work and people who appreciate critical thinking will discover and perhaps be surprised by Avakian’s insights."
From Sparrow, poet
Mr. Avakian is like me -- we've both been around the Left since the 1960s, and are sick of the dogmatism and paranoia. He's encouraged all the Revolutionary Communist Party people to read epistemology, the science of knowing. The question is: "What is really happening?" -- not "What did Marx predict would happen?"
Sometimes I read Avakian in the Revolution newspaper. I agree with his assessment of the current American crisis. Cheney and Bush are real fascists, very similar to Mussolini. They have joined with right-wing Christians to create a formidable movement. Even though Bush has a very low "approval rating," he still completely controls the political process in the USA. Don't other people see this? Is the New York Times asleep?
People say to me: "Why sign a petition supporting Avakian? He isn't under any threat." As if they would be perfectly confident being a revolutionary Communist in today's America. Personally, I'm a little frightened just writing this essay. READ MORE
| Response to the Jan. 27th Boston Globe Piece |
To the Editor:
We found Mark Oppenheimer’s article, “Free Bob Avakian!” January 27, 2008, to be a vacuous “Where's Waldo?” diatribe which misrepresents the statement from the Engage Committee to Project and Protect the Voice of Bob Avakian. Oppenheimer dismisses and mischaracterizes the intelligence and motivations of the over 250 signatories, and he falsely constructs his arguments in an attempt to discredit Bob Avakian.
Oppenheimer reported that “...nobody seemed ready to defend Avakian's actual views...” Though not a requirement for signing, this is not true. He had a substantive interview with Ramona Dvorak, M.D., M.P.H., from the Engage Committee and Harvard faculty. She articulated what she finds compelling about Avakian's work: his unique combination of a deep humanitarianism and a scientific approach to world developments and society (including his analysis of the history and oppression of Black people in the US ) and his new thinking about socialism and communism. She also articulated her differences with his views. At least two others also provided substantive reasons why they signed but none of this made it into the article maybe it contradicted Oppenheimer’s anti-Communist script?
In this dark time, when millions of people are horrified at what is happening in society and the world and looking for alternatives, while living under the ominous cloud of laws like the Patriot Act, is it any wonder a growing number of forward thinking and open minded people are engaging with Bob Avakian, and making it known they intend to defend his ability to be heard?
Contrary to Oppenheimer’s construct, “engage” does not mean “I agree with” or “I am devoted to.” We urge people to go to our website, read our statement, and view the list of signatories and comments from many about why they call on others to engage this provocative and courageous voice.
Ramona Dvorak, MD, Harvard Medical School *
Dr. Tony Jackson, psychologist
Michael Lange, actor, playwright
Lucia Marano, actor and writer
Rev. Richard Meri Ka Ra Byrd, KRST Center of African Spirituality*
Al Ronzoni, Progressive Democrats of America * Sparrow, poet
The Controversy About Bob Avakian: NYRB
Ad Appears, Charges of “Cult"and
“Insignificance" follow. But What’s the Real Story? by Raymond Lotta
Bob Avakian, Maoist theorist and leader of the
Revolutionary Communist Party, has been the
subject of three articles this past week, two by
Mark Oppenheimer (one in The Boston Globe
and another on Huffington Post and a third by Scott McLemee on InsideHigherEd.com.
These commentaries were occasioned by the recent publication of an ad from the Engage Committee to Project and Protect the Voice of Bob Avakian that appeared in The New York Review of Books. Oppenheimer and McLemee sneer at the very idea that anyone would seriously conceive of revolution in today’s world. Here is my reply to Mark Oppenheimer’s original piece in The Boston Globe. Scott McLemee, like Oppenheimer, raises questions of “cult of personality,?which I address in my reply:
Mark Oppenheimer (“Free Bob Avakian!"January 27, 2008) dismisses as much ado about nothing a New York Review of Books ad calling on people to engage with the timely and relevant work of Bob Avakian, a statement signed by over 250 intellectuals, artists, people from social movements, and others We live in a time of human history when half the planet subsists on less than $2 a day; when the U.S. is waging unjust, brutal, and endless war in the Middle
East; and when global warming threatens ecocide. And Avakian is applying himself to nothing less than the challenge of how to transform the world in a liberating way.All this Oppenheimer conveniently ignores.
READ MORE
from Talbert Jennings, Producer, Carl Stokes Forum,* Cleveland, OH
"Bob Avakian is a very brilliant and articulate person for equality, civil rights and fairness for the common people in this country."
From Sparrow, poet
Mr. Avakian is like me -- we've both been around the Left since the 1960s, and are sick of the dogmatism and paranoia. He's encouraged all the Revolutionary Communist Party people to read epistemology, the science of knowing. The question is: "What is really happening?" -- not "What did Marx predict would happen?"
Sometimes I read Avakian in the Revolution newspaper. I agree with his assessment of the current American crisis. Cheney and Bush are real fascists, very similar to Mussolini. They have joined with right-wing Christians to create a formidable movement. Even though Bush has a very low "approval rating," he still completely controls the political process in the USA. Don't other people see this? Is the New York Times asleep?
People say to me: "Why sign a petition supporting Avakian? He isn't under any threat." As if they would be perfectly confident being a revolutionary Communist in today's America. Personally, I'm a little frightened just writing this essay.
READ MORE
From Ramona Dvořák, MD, Harvard Medical School*
I signed the "Engage!" statement because I am in agony over the fascist direction this country is headed and because of U.S. policies, which condemn millions of people in this country and around the world to horrific conditions of abuse and slaughter. It is through the talks and writings of Bob Avakian that I have a more enlightened understanding of why I have always been troubled by how this system operates. Bob Avakian "woke me up" to the realities of this system and its true nature as a brutal dictatorship, not a democracy, driven forward by a quest for global domination, at any cost.
READ MORE
from Billy X. Jennings, It’s About Time Committee*
"I like Bob Avakian because he knows who the enemy is. He doesn’t tell you what you want to hear, he tells it like it is. The U.S. starts wars and commits genocide on a daily basis. The government had many cases against the Black Panthers and lost everyone - they were scams and kangaroo courts. COINTELPRO was spying on people. There have been many political prisoners. I saw the Revolution DVD and Bob is still on it. He’s on his job."
from Ula Taylor, Associate Professor, U.C. Berkeley*
"I think it's important that Bob Avakian and other critical voices are willing to engage in well-researched analysis and that they are developing a complete understanding of the interconnectedness of oppresssion. People need to see their own strength in order to transform their conditions. Voices like Bob Avakian's should have maximum voltage."
From Rev. Richard Meri Ka Ra Byrd, KRST Center of African Spirituality*
"Bob Avakian brings forward brilliant and radical ideas around which to struggle and debate. He makes extremely complicated concepts accessible to people at all levels of education and advocates for the people at the bottom rung of societies in the U.S. and around the world. Bob Avakian has been bringing forward new and important ideas that are vital to contemporary discourse. I signed in order to be true to my calling to advance spiritual healing by supporting the voice of Avakian because he alone, of all the national voices, including even all the black leaders, is not afraid to open a dialogue on the racism that drives so much of the policy of American society. If we pretend it is not there we cannot heal it!"
from Gordon J. Alderink, PT, PhD,Grand Valley State University*
"I signed on with Engage because it has become increasingly clear to me that we need a major paradigm shift in how America is led. Infringement on individual freedoms, loss of integrity in the executive, judicial, and legislative branches, coercing Americans using fear, etc are examples of how far we have strayed from a truly free, democratic society. We need individuals like Noam Chomsky and Bob Avakian to call into question rigid ideologies, uncontrolled power, capitalistic hegemony, sources of alienation, and lack of reason. I would hope that reasonable people would attend to the kinds of questions Avakian is asking and not write him off simply because he is a 'communist.'"
from Mark LeVine, Professor of History, UC Irvine*
"I have had the opportunity to read some of Avakian's writings, and regardless of whether I agree with them, it is important that they remain accessible to the public in an era where the government and its corporate sponsors spend untold sums of money to 'create realities' that the rest of us are forced to live -- and in many cases, die -- in. Progressives can profoundly disagree about what the appropriate solution to the horrific mess the Republicrats have gotten us into, and what kind of revolution -- if at all -- is necessary to achieve such a large scale social transformation. But one thing's for sure, we need as many voices out there as possible offering different visions of the future to those offered either by the Bush administration or the jihadis. Bob Avakian is one such voice that deserves to be heard and engaged, regardless of whether we agree with his prognoses or not."
from Dr. Donald E Winters,
"I am very pleased to see Bob Avakian stepping forward to make a powerful statement for revolutionary change. I feel strongly that the present administration represents the closest America has ever come to fascism. As a current member of the I.W.W. and past member of the S.W.P., I am greatly moved by political courage in the face of seemingly overwhelming odds. America greatly needs to see the courage of a Joe Hill or Leon Trotsky to confront the present illegal, immoral, and self-serving regime of George W. Bush."
from Tony Jackson, Psychologist, artist, activist
"It is my belief that Avakian offers a seldom heard perspective in this society. Hearing such a strong and clear historical analysis of the social/political quagmire, we Americans find ourselves in, at this juncture, is germane to how we develop a process for moving forward."
from Harry J. Lennix, actor, instructor
"In a time where we see many of our most precious freedoms threatened, and no convincing voice from either major party speaking on our behalf, it is reassuring to know that irrespective of labels we have advocates like Bob Avakian who is speaking on behalf of the people. There is certainly no more American precept than this."
From Ramona Dvořák, MD, Harvard Medical School*
I signed the "Engage!" statement because I am in agony over the fascist direction this country is headed and because of U.S. policies, which condemn millions of people in this country and around the world to horrific conditions of abuse and slaughter. It is through the talks and writings of Bob Avakian that I have a more enlightened understanding of why I have always been troubled by how this system operates. Bob Avakian "woke me up" to the realities of this system and its true nature as a brutal dictatorship, not a democracy, driven forward by a quest for global domination, at any cost.
READ MORE
from Fr. Daniel Berrigan on why he’s added his name to the Engage statement, “Dangerous times demand courageous voices. Bob Avakian is such a voice:”
"In reading Bob Avakian’s memoir, From Ike to Mao and Beyond, I felt very attuned to Bob in what we’re both seeking – a decent international order that takes into account the poor at the edge of life, resists domination and war, and an end to the prospering of the few at the expense of many."
from Ula Taylor, Associate Professor, U.C. Berkeley*
"I think it's important that Bob Avakian and other critical voices are willing to engage in well research-ed analysis and that they are developing a complete understanding of the interconnectedness of oppression. People need to see their own strength in order to transform their conditions. Voices like Bob Avakian's should have maximum voltage."
From Rev. Richard Meri Ka Ra Byrd, KRST Center of African Spirituality*
"Bob Avakian brings forward brilliant and radical ideas around which to struggle and debate. He makes extremely complicated concepts accessible to people at all levels of education and advocates for the people at the bottom rung of societies in the U.S. and around the world. Bob Avakian has been bringing forward new and important ideas that are vital to contemporary discourse. I signed in order to be true to my calling to advance spiritual healing by supporting the voice of Avakian because he alone, of all the national voices, including even all the black leaders, is not afraid to open a dialogue on the racism that drives so much of the policy of American society. If we pretend it is not there we cannot heal it!"
from Gordon J. Alderink, PT, PhD,Grand Valley State University*
"I signed on with Engage because it has become increasingly clear to me that we need a major paradigm shift in how America is led. Infringement on individual freedoms, loss of integrity in the executive, judicial, and legislative branches, coercing Americans using fear, etc are examples of how far we have strayed from a truly free, democratic society. We need individuals like Noam Chomsky and Bob Avakian to call into question rigid ideologies, uncontrolled power, capitalistic hegemony, sources of alienation, and lack of reason. I would hope that reasonable people would attend to the kinds of questions Avakian is asking and not write him off simply because he is a 'communist.'"
from Mark LeVine, Professor of History, UC Irvine*
"I have had the opportunity to read some of Avakian's writings, and regardless of whether I agree with them, it is important that they remain accessible to the public in an era where the government and its corporate sponsors spend untold sums of money to "create realities" that the rest of us are forced to live--and in many cases,die--in. Progressives can profoundly disagree about what the appropriate solution to the horrific mess the Republicrats have gotten us into, and what kind of revolution--if at all--is necessary to achieve such a large scale social transformation. But one thing's possible offering
for sure, we need as many voices out there as different visions of the future to those offered either by the Bush administration or the jihadis. Bob Avakian is one such voice that deserves to be heard and engaged, regardless of whether we agree with his prognoses or not."
from Dr. Donald E Winters,
"I am very pleased to see Bob Avakian stepping forward to make a powerful statement for revolutionary change. I feel strongly that the present administration represents the closest America has ever come to fascism. As a current member of the I.W.W. and past member of the S.W.P., I am greatly moved by political courage in the face of seemingly overwhelming odds. America greatly needs to see the courage of a Joe Hill or Leon Trotsky to confront the present illegal, immoral, and self-serving regime of George W. Bush. "
from Tony Jackson, Psychologist, artist, activist
"It is my belief that Avakian offers a seldom heard perspective in this society. Hearing such a strong and clear historical analysis of the social/political quagmire, we Americans find ourselves in, at this juncture, is germane to how we develop a process for moving forward."
from Charles Williams, Professional Boxing Coach in the City of Long Beach, CA on why he thinks people should sign the Engage statement:
"He has proved he is about it. I have known about Bob Avakian for a long time. He shows more love for the people and you know where his heart is at. What he is doing is for the good of the people. You know he cares about you. This is a good opportunity for people to come together and unite."
from Fr. Lawrence Lucas, Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church*
"Since the foolishness called democracy here and so called two party system, is simply one party of the rich and powerful at the expense of the majority, Bob Avakian's sincere commitment to the common folks is most refreshing."
from Michael Slate, correspondent for Revolution newspaper and host/producer of the Tuesday edition of Beneath the Surface on KPFK 90.7 fm Los Angeles.
"I don't see the need for this statement, Bob Avakian is not currently under attack. And if he comes under attack, I will defend him. "
"I've been discussing the importance of the Engage! statement with all sorts of people who are considering signing on to it and this is an issue that has come up repeatedly. I 've thought about this question a lot and wanted to share some of this thinking with others. Hopefully these comments will contribute to the discussion and work to project and protect Bob Avakian.
The logic of this argument, especially in today's highly repressive atmosphere, is deadly. This government has a pre-emptive doctrine in how they deal with revolutionary leaders. It is tested throughout history and has been heightened and sharpened today.
It is naive and wrong to look around and in the absence of open and easily recognized attacks from the state, conclude there is nothing to worry about and no need now to join the network of Engage! signatories. Moreover, it has been shown to be a disastrous dynamic to wait until they bring down the force of the state. By that time, many things would already be in motion." Read Full Comment
from Henry Silverman Prof. and Chairperson Emeritus, Dept. of History, Michigan State Univ.* On why he signed the Engage! statement.
"First, I am a free speech fanatic; second, I followed some of his writing in Revolution and, while I am not a Marxist, found it worthwhile. I also think it's a good statement."
from Hal Perry, USF Dons Basketball Team, NCAA Champs, 1955-56, Team Captain 1956
“It’s important in this day and time to explore every possible intelligent approach to life. I encourage everyone to listen to Bob Avakian. He has the right direction we should all try our best to emulate and follow. Bob Avakian is a truth teller.”
from Bob Weick, National Touring Actor of Howard Zinn's, "MARX IN SOHO"
"History is not over! The truth of these opening words from Benjamin Barber's book "Jihad vs. McWorld" are obvious, and yet this simple fact also serves as a compelling call to action. It is a hopeful reminder that we the people can continue to shape the future and work towards a truly just world. In order to achieve that end, we must engage all the great thinkers of the past as well as those in our current epoch. Bob Avakian, with his informed critique of the history of Capitalism and his vision of the future of Communism, deserves a place at the table of any National discussion seeking tools to
create a better world for the mass of humanity. "
from Adam Shapiro, “Current Events," WRFG, Atlanta, Georgia
"It is important during these dangerous times that informed dissenting voices be heard. Bob Avakian possesses one of these voices. Avakian possesses a rare ability to integrate his extraordinarily extensive knowledge of history with his critique. One example of this is his discussion of how the electoral process had no effect on the beginning and ending of the Vietnam War. Many of the critiques presented these days lack true historical context. Bob Avakian fills that gap."
from Cornel West, Professor of Religion, Princeton University* on From Ike to Mao and Beyond:
"Bob Avakian is a long distance runner in the freedom struggle against imperialism, racism and capitalism. His voice and witness are indispensable in our efforts to enhance the wretched of the earth. And his powerful story of commitment is timely."
from Robert Keith Collins, Ph.D., Homalusa: Center for African and Native American Research on From Ike to Mao and Beyond "As a professor, I and other professors want their students to be critical thinkers. This book can open people up to an approach of how to look at things with a critical eye. My mom who is from the South has commented that growing up there you understood where you stood because people would just come out and say what they thought. People like George Wallace (an extremely racist former Governor of Alabama) would just outright say he thought Blacks were inferior. Whereas in the North there would be a covering up of how people thought.During the Civil rights period, people felt deeply that there needed to be a change and they were willing to do something about it. They had to "step outside of the box" in willing to go out and dare to struggle for something different with different people. They did not know the outcome of what would happen if they did this. That is what is needed today. People need to take risks and not accept what's going on. Bob Avakian did this with his life. He was looking for the truth and he has pursued that, not knowing where that would lead him, taking risks. I was talking to a friend about the memoir, and my friend said, "Dude. This is communism you're talking about." I said, "Look into it. Did you ever read the Communist Manifesto? Communism on paper is a beautiful thing. Just because things happened in Russia or China that weren't good, you shouldn't reject it. Capitalism has very wealthy people, a middle class, but a lot of people are two paychecks away from poverty. Under capitalism there are a few people who hoard all the wealth." After this back and forth, my friend is now reading the book. I believe people can get drawn into the story from a humanistic approach. If you go through Bob's story, you get to see how he came to discover socialism and communism." [Full Statement]
from Hal Perry, former basketball player on listening to the talk "The NBA: Marketing The Minstrel Show and Serving the Big Gangsters" by Bob Avakian:“That’s right, he’s good, that’s fantastic, ooh boy, that’s a powerful statement,” these were some of the things I said while listening to the talk by Bob Avakian, “The NBA - Marketing the Minstrel Show and Serving the Big Gangsters.” I really appreciated hearing this talk. Everything he’s saying about sports, I lived through it.
While listening to Part 1 of the talk, I couldn’t believe how deeply and accurately Bob Avakian described everything. Anyone who listens to this talk is put in a better position to understand what really went on. It’s unbelievable how it describes what happened to Black players. It is so excellent and incredible, I can’t begin to express everything I think about it and I need to listen to it again. If you took a group of high school kids and had them sit down and listen to this, they’d never be the same again." [Full Statement]
from Reverend Earl Kooperkamp, Pastor, St. Mary's Church, Harlem, NYC on Revolution: Why It's Necessary? Why It's Possible? What It's All About
“In times like these, this clear voice for social change is a welcome relief from all the confusion and lies. Listen, and you will truly hear a voice of reason, with sharp analysis and deep understanding, going up against the tide of injustice and oppression. Of crucial importance is the fearless opposition to the rise of the Christian right and its pernicious effect on the political and cultural life in this country. While you might not agree with everything he says, he will challenge you with his insights and a clarion call to what must be done. ”
from Rev. George W. Webber, President Emeritus, New York Theological Seminary on Marxism and the Call of the Future: Conversations on Ethics, History, and Politics by Bob Avakian and Bill Martin
"This brilliant, lively, and scholarly attempt to define communism's present role in addressing the need to remake our world is especially timely in the face of the policies and actions of the Bush administration. Bob Avakian and Bill Martin are to be commended for their steadfast endeavors to bring about a new society. We owe them both our gratitude for this monumental effort to move our world toward justice and righteousness."
from a professor from Chicago on Preaching from a Pulpit of Bones: We Need Morality But Not Traditional Morality
"What is ethical thinking in a time of social fragmentation and imperialist globalization? Bob Avakian convincingly argues that morality has to be tied to a vision of a good society, a society free of exploitation and every form of domination. Even more does morality have to do with the struggle to create such a society. Avakian points the way toward what some doubt is possible, a materialist ethics. Like Mao's, this is a Marxism that aims at a social analysis that is clear and systematic but not 'cold' – a Marxism with heart."
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Commentary on Works by Bob Avakian |
