Course on
Anti-Imperialism, War and Peace, Part 8
Anti-Imperialism
Exactly how the anti-Imperialist struggle will resolve
itself in South Africa ,
Southern Africa, and Africa in general, is
something unpredictable at the tactical level. The question of the armed
defence of revolutionary change cannot be ruled out, and we have examined this
question.
This part of the present series, referenced to the “Beyond
Vietnam” speech (linked below) of the late Rev Martin Luther King Junior, is designed
to point to the subjective political factor in the anti-Imperialist struggle.
Nowadays it has become commonplace to refer to
“international solidarity” as not only a specific, but more so a universal idea.
But this concept that we have largely stripped of its particularity, generalising
it as a formula, does actually have a tremendous history whose meaning is not
fully conveyed by a stock phrase called “international solidarity”.
The anti-Imperialist struggle and the democratic struggle
can and should be one. It is not a matter of charity of the rich to the poor.
It is also not solely a matter of good-hearted and exceptional individuals (but
there have indeed been such individuals - MLK was one of them - and there will
be again).
What Martin Luther King describes, and justifies, is: “why I believe that the path from Dexter Avenue
Baptist Church
- the church in Montgomery ,
Alabama , where I began my
pastorate - leads clearly to this sanctuary tonight.”
In other words, MLK at the meeting of the “Clergy and Laymen
Concerned about Vietnam”, in 1967, was preaching the intrinsic, organic unity
of the struggle of the common people everywhere. It is not an artificial
altruism but it is a unity of purpose, in concerted action against the single
enemy that manifests itself everywhere and oppresses us all: monopoly-capitalist
Imperialism.
And further than his literal message, there is also the
extraordinary power and style of MLK’s oration. We forget this factor of art
too easily. Lenin spoke of “insurrection as an art”. It is an art that goes
beyond the military, and encompasses all of our activities. Therefore when
reading such a piece as MLK’s “Beyond Vietnam” speech, one should regard it as
a source of learning of the art of advocacy, which is part of the art of
leadership, essential to the art of insurrection.
The question of international solidarity has raised itself
very sharply in South Africa recently (August 2011).
Should South Africa be planning “regime change” in Botswana?
Of course, not. It is not for South Africa to substitute itself for the Batswana
as the agent of history in that country.
Should South Africa be dictating terms to Swaziland, in
consideration for extending a loan in advance of moneys that will accrue to
Swaziland in the future? No, of course not, and for the same reasons as apply
to Botswana.
Our task is to provide assistance, including political
education, hospitality, and a joint critique of that Imperialism which is
always prepared to fish in troubled waters, and whose signature is always aggression
and war.
“Now let us begin. Now let us rededicate
ourselves to the long and bitter, but beautiful, struggle for a new world. This
is the calling of the sons of God...” – Martin Luther King.
Picture:
Rev. Martin Luther King, Junior, at the White House, Washington DC , USA
Please download and read the text via the following
link:
Beyond Vietnam, Time to
Break Silence, 1967, King (6687 words)
Further
reading:
Neo-Colonialism,
Last of Imperialism, 1965, Nkrumah (10643 words)
First They
Came For The Communists, Niemoeller (1873 words)
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