I feel like I grew up in the shadow of revolution. I learned about the Bolshevik Revolution from
my parents and to my mother Russia was the homeland. Her father had gone AWOL from the Tsarist
army and the revolutionary fervor seemed to be part of family history. My parents remained leftists throughout their
lives so my childhood was filled with words like “Red” (good) and “Reactionary”
(bad). McCarthyism was horrible and the
execution of the Rosenbergs broke my heart as I thought of those their two
orphaned sons.
In my teens I marched for civil rights and peace in Viet
Nam. I truly believed in those causes
and that if enough of us spoke up, the revolution would happen. In college, I saw mounted policemen drag off long-haired
girls protesting the military recruitment booth on campus. At that time, there was no tuition at the
schools of the City University of NY, and we protested the threatened end of
that—“Our position, No tuition!” No
tuition sounds like a fantasy now.
The young people who are currently passionate about Bernie
Sanders call for revolution. I think
they honestly believe that one person can bring about equal rights for all,
free education, healthcare and an end to war.
I really do know how they feel.
But it’s time they pay attention to history. Politically our country has bounced around
like a red rubber ball. During
reconstruction, former slaves achieved positions of power and wealth—briefly. The new revolutionaries should read not only
the stories of the Civil Rights movement, but the hangings and slayings of
black people in the earlier part of the 20th century.
And while we’re on the subject of history, the rise of
Hitler is not just a story on Facebook.
Pre-war Germany was a fantasy land of equality. Hitler knew just how to capitalize on the
fears and economic woes of the population and stir up a frenzy of support that
got him to a position of power that ultimately threatened the survival of the
Europe. Yes, I know the Berniecrats don’t
support Trump—but neither do they have a clue as to the danger he presents.
The unchangeable part of our government is the corporate
base that feeds it. I grant that Bernie
is the only candidate who says that out loud and sees it for what it is. If, by some miracle, he became President, I
know he would give it his best shot. However,
it would take an uprising along the lines of the Bolshevik Revolution to
completely change our form of government.
The greater reality right now, this year, is that our worst
fears will be realized in the form of Trump moving into the White House and
destroying all the achievements made toward social and economic equality over
the past 100 years. That sends chills
through me as it should through you.
Revolution takes a lot of people and a lot of bloodshed. Berniecrats, are you really ready to be
martyrs? Ready to be shot in the
street? Are you really? You say you want a revolution? “Well you know, we all want to change the
world”!
