I support #EmilyDrabinski and think she will be a great #AmericanLibraryAssociation (#ALA) president. Right now she's under a ton of fire for being a self-professed "#Marxist lesbian."

There is an open letter in support of her that is widely circulating. It declares "Marxism is an economic philosophy not a political platform."

As a marxist and librarian myself, I will not sign anything with such a declaration.

It is not just an "economic philosophy."

Yes, reordering the economic basis of society is the ultimate goal, but politics is part of that. You cannot destroy private property and exploitation without organizing the class, destroying the capitalist state, and holding down the old oppressing class with force and violence. Marx was clear about this from early on:

"All revolution -- the overthrow of the existing ruling power and the dissolution of the old order -- is a political act. But without revolution, socialism cannot be made possible. It stands in need of this political act just as it stands in need of destruction and dissolution. But as soon as its organizing functions begin and its goal, its soul emerges, socialism throws its political mask aside." - Marx, 'Critical Notes on the Article "The King of Prussia and Social Reform" By a Prussian'

#libraries #librarianship #marxism #socialism

American Library Association Responds to Montana State Library

https://www.mtlib.org/news/13226668

#ALA #MLA #montana #EmilyDrabinski

Libraries and Collective Power

In February the Srsly Wrong podcast featured an interview with the eventual winner of the American Library Association presidency for 2023-2024, Emily Drabinski. Libraries are obviously, heartwarmingly good, and as a centre of public good they hold the potential to be an ideal starting point for expanding the scope of public good. Emily t

https://apollolemmon.com/2022/07/20/libraries-and-collective-power/

#EmilyDrabinski #libraries #SrslyWrong #unions