Revolution Tour Speaks at UCLA:
Provoking... Challenging... Inspiring

May 27, 2019 | revcom.us

 

The challenge went out, in different ways, at UCLA. The revolutionaries stomped on flags and fought against patriotism with students, and at times sparked huge debates; they sharply took on identity politics (see the leaflet on this page); and they tore apart the notion that Bernie Sanders represents some kind of fundamental change (see leaflet on this page). The overall message was that of the National Revolution Tour: You Think You’re Woke... But You’re Sleepwalking Through A Nightmare, This System CANNOT Be Reformed, It Must Be Overthrown! A Better World IS Possible!

On May 20, 80 people—including more than 40 students—turned out to hear a speech on that topic. As a result of the ruckus and work going into it, the people who came were pretty clear on what to expect: revolution uncut. And what they got did not disappoint! Tala Deloria, a UCLA student, movingly walked people through her own transformation from an aspiring stockbroker to a revolutionary communist. (Go here for audio.) Then Lenny Wolff made a compelling case for revolution vs. all the bullshit roads that are proffered to stay within the system. And he went into the positive alternative—the new communism brought forward by Bob Avakian. (Go here for audio.)

The discussion period was marked by controversy, and serious grappling, with questions of leadership, humanity’s prospects in the face of global climate change (this weighs very heavily on people), breaking down divisions among the people and overcoming white supremacy, and the responsibility of those in the audience, among other things. More generally, people were both challenged and drawn to the internationalist outlook put forward by Tala and Lenny. Some were rocked by the blistering critique of Bernie Sanders. Tala’s story inspired several to tell her that this made them see and feel how they, too, could become fighters and leaders. And cheers erupted when students were challenged by Lenny to “cross the tracks” to come to the inner-city area of South Central LA the next Saturday to see the filmed speech by Bob Avakian, Why We Need An Actual Revolution And How We Can Really Make Revolution.

Despite the fact that UCLA was soon to enter into an exam period, clusters of students stayed around in serious discussion until the building shut down at 10:30. People had definitely been provoked, more than a few felt challenged, and about a dozen were inspired to say they were interested in joining the Revolution Club, with a few stepping up on the spot to take various levels of responsibility. There is a section of students for whom the prospect of reform is not working; as one who filled out his form put it, in replying to a question on what he had learned: “We need revolution, not reform. Now.”

This marked a step forward in learning how to shake things up on campus in a way that inspires people to turn their faces toward revolution. To quote one of the students who met the Tour and Revolution Club through this, “Now I need to help you figure out how to scale this up.”