[Stansfield Smith sets out a very demagogic counterposition…]
1987 1987-05Read it in the scan (PDF at ETOL), page 19 →
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Stansfield Smith sets out a very demagogic counterposition: Do you support racists or do you oppose them? The problem is that this counterposition doesn't capture the realities of Chicago politics.
The heart of the matter is this: Harold Washington's campaign, while certainly capturing deep feelings of Black pride in the Black community, was completely in the framework of the Democratic Party-a party whatsoever by Washington and his supporters to break away from the Democratic Party. Washington's tenure in office, moreover, has not created a political climate that has led the labor movement and the Black community to win more victories in their daily struggles.
Does Stansfield Smith believe that in Chicago-or anywhere else in the United Statescampaigning for Democratic Party candidates will lead to working-class victories and advances? Has something changed the Democratic Party. There is nothing passive or abstentionist about this perspective.
It means doing everything possible to develop the really independent movements that do exist—such as the building of the April 25 antiwar demonstration. It means supporting the Socialist Workers Party candidate for mayor and attempting to develop a dialogue with Washington's supporters around united-front actions.
Adam Shils, Chicago
Scan page 20
SociAlist Action