Recently I posted a pretty harmless meme in my DSA chapter’s Discord (see image). It was in response to South Korea’s recent spate of Fascism.

In response I had comrades jump down my throat, attacking me for critical support of AES states like DPRK and China. According to these comrades “there is no real Socialist nation.”

As tempting as it is to quit DSA I think I should stay and try to educate.

Comrades also jumped on me for a comment I made months ago in response to some right wing BS where I said “maybe Democracy isn’t always a great idea”. The point I was trying to make was that Trans rights and other basic freedoms should never be put up to a popularity contest… I’m ok with a state that defends these rights and doesn’t allow a reactionary majority to vote them away!

During this thread, people brought up multiple times that DPRK isn’t Democratic because the Kim’s have always been the figurehead, China isn’t Democratic because “reasons” (racism), China lies about their suicide rates to WHO, etc.

Frustrating. I’ll post more details in the comments.

My question: What constitutes a “real” Democracy? Is it leadership changing hands every few years? We don’t have that in the U.S. Is it secret ballots? All the nationa above have that. Is it that the people’s votes and voices actually change the government actions? We saw this in China unfortunately when people demanded ending the COVID lock downs early. It was the wrong thing to do but done for the right reason.

And is there any hope for these people in my chapter? One of them was basically racist against Chinese people and they seem very set in this “not real Socialism” mindset.

  • ClimateChangeAnxiety [he/him, they/them]@hexbear.netEnglish
    19·
    19 days ago

    The seasonally conscripted slaves who built the pyramids got free housing provided by the state and more consistent meals than the average free Egyptian. When will you be rebranding yourself as a Marxist-Leninist-Amenhotepist?

    Immediately showing their inaccurate knowledge of history in trying to make an example. The pyramids weren’t built by slaves, they were built by well paid artisans employed by the state. There is little to no evidence they were conscripted, and they certainly weren’t slaves, they were construction professionals who also built non-pyramid related projects. They ate better than the average free Egyptian not because they were well cared for slaves, but because they were wealthy.