What is the difference between a leftist and a liberal? There are many ways to answer this question, enough to fill an entire book, but one main difference is trust in the state. For example, many liberals may be okay with leftist goals of equity. However, they often are not yet willing to put their bodies on the line to enact more equitable systems or challenge the state when it stands contrary to their goal. Even so, believing in leftist ideologies alone does not automatically teach you how to safely protest, unionize, or organize. I have identified eight skills for radical leftists that are important for safely and effectively organizing communities.
The purpose of this article is not to be the beginning and end of an education in these skills. Rather, it should serve as a guide for further learning. If you only have twenty minutes between lecture and precept, this guide should pique your interest in something. If you have an hour to procrastinate on your thesis, this guide could spark deeper learning on a topic. And, of course, there are more skills than the ones enumerated below. A digital version of this article will contain links for further (easy) reading on these topics.
1. Jail Support
Whether you call your leftist organizing direct action or civil disobedience, it often ends in arrests. As the person asking others to go through the ordeal of arrest, processing, and jail, you need to be prepared to support them through the process. There is the logistical side: mobilizing money and people, but there is also the emotional toll of arrest. It is exhausting and dehumanizing by design. This is unsurprisingly especially true if the people volunteering for arrest hold marginalized identities which provoke further harassment and violence from police.
When arrest is a possibility for your actions, it is helpful to have a coordinator who is not at the action (or far enough away) to ensure they will not be arrested. Know which laws you are breaking and what kinds of crimes they are; there is a big difference between a felony and a misdemeanor. This person should have a working phone number and be connected with financial and legal support to coordinate bail and juggle court dates (if necessary) as they come in. People risking arrest should first be educated on the consequences so that they can make an informed decision and then write the number of the coordinator on their arm. Don’t risk forgetting if it’s 82 or 28.
Implicit in the preceding paragraph is preparation. One aspect is bail money, which needs to be set aside for each person arrested. If someone is financially able to front their own costs, that is ideal. Otherwise, you’ll need to crowdsource the money for their release. To ensure that people can get their money back, you then need to make sure each individual planning to be arrested has transportation to and from court for any further proceedings. Some arrests only result in fines, which also may require fundraising. It also doesn’t hurt to consult an attorney or other legal support to ensure you know all the possible risks. Even if they’re an unlicensed practiced paralegal or law student, a legal advocate involved in planning the jail support is helpful.
Lastly, be there to support people as they are released. The coordinator should know where people are getting sent, either based on the calls or predicting the closest facility. Have people gathered outside the jail, far enough away to not be forced to disperse by the police, ready with food, beverages, and good spirit. A cup of hot chocolate and uplifting music goes a long way towards preventing burn-out after an action. Ideally, there would be at least one support person per arrested person who can help them get home and make sure they’re not alone.
Additional Resources:
http://upagainstthelaw.org/jail-support-and-solidarity/
https://popularresistance.org/best-practices-for-jail-support/
https://organizingforpower.org/jail-support-solidarity/
https://rebelsteps.com/episodes/6-jail-support.html
https://www.nolo.com/legal-research
2. Self-Defense
Regardless of your stance on violence, tense situations often erupt, and being prepared is a must for your own safety. A cardinal rule of self defense is to never pull the first weapon; if the legal system gets involved, the escalation makes your case worse. The first potential weapon that comes to mind is often a pocket knife which, though incredibly useful in other contexts, makes a horrible weapon. Using a gun is most likely to result in a lot of trouble for you because your potential charge becomes Assault With a Deadly Weapon. Of course, almost anything can be construed as a deadly weapon.
For those who are not comfortable with the idea of carrying a weapon but still anticipate being in dodgy situations, home-made pepper spray is a great solution. No matter the size and height difference, a mixture of cayenne pepper the eyes is no fun. The customization of the mixture gives you a chance to be creative with your spice cabinet and maybe even flex creative skills to repurpose an aerosol canister for the mix. Be careful not to make it too strong, as uncommonly strong sprays (such as one made with ghost peppers) may also be construed as a “deadly weapon” in the eyes of the law.
Self-defense isn’t just for physical assaults from counter-protestors, but also involves monitoring the police. When you are challenging the dominant powers in society, you do not have the luxury of assuming that the police will help you, and you instead need to operate knowing you may need to record injustices and violence. In short: always record the police. Legally, you are almost always guaranteed to have that right unless you are on private property with posted signs that say no recording is allowed. That won’t stop police officers from asking you to stop recording or attempting to confiscate your device. It is important that you clearly state that you believe your rights are being violated as they force you to stop recording. This is where the habit of stopping to monitor police interactions for others comes in handy: they have no reason to tell you to put down your phone if you are a bystander. Monitoring cops should be taught as the ABCs of organizing: “always be capturing.”
Additional Resource:
https://www.acluga.org/sites/default/files/field_documents/protest.monitor.pdf
3. Identity Protection
Whether or not you plan to break any laws, the best way for you and your comrades to avoid being hassled by the cops is to avoid the confrontation altogether. Outside of legal matters, doxxing or revealing an anonymous user’s identity is a risk. There’s no point in making the work for anyone who wants to know who you are an easy task. The biggest rookie mistake when it comes to protecting identities is capturing actions on film that shouldn’t be preserved. Check with the organizers of any events whether photography is helpful. There may be people or portions they don’t want recorded. Alternatively, there may be a particular group that the organizers want media focused on. Checking in ensures that doxxing, outing, and prosecuting are minimized while positive coverage is maximized. Remember that many leftist organizations are targets for infiltration and monitoring from both the government and private companies.
If you plan to be involved in anarchist gatherings such as the black bloc, gatherings of anonymized individuals who take direct action together, you will need a face mask. Instead of buying a ski mask, you can watch simple tutorials to turn a black t-shirt into an identity protecting mask. Gloves are never a bad idea and there truly are DIY tutorials for anything you may need at a demonstration, including gas masks. Talk to more experienced or involved members of a group to get a sense for the level of sophistication you need.
The simplest security method? Do not use rapid unlock methods on your phone. If a police officer stops you and confiscates your phone, they cannot compel you to give them a pin or password, but they can hold a phone up to your face or hold your finger to the button. Make them get a warrant to access your data. Similarly, it may be prudent to invest in a virtual private network (VPN) to mask your internet traffic. ExpressVPN offers a free trial with a relatively good service if you only need a short-term solution. An additional layer for websites are extensions like Location Guard which prevent a site from pinpointing your location. Communications can be done through encryption apps like Signal, which also has features to automatically erase messages and is trusted by journalists around the globe.
Additional Resources:
https://plainwordsbloomington.noblogs.org/post/2017/04/17/how-to-mask-up/
https://www.artofmanliness.com/articles/make-improvised-gas-mask/
http://upagainstthelaw.org/category/stop-snitching-on-yourself-ssoy/
4. First Aid
Part of being anti-police is minimizing their involvement in your communities. In the United States, if you call for medical assistance the police will arrive as well. It is easy for people to avoid calling them for conflict resolution, but most people would struggle not to dial 9-1-1 if they saw a fight taking place. Basic first aid knowledge is one way to not only rely less on the police in your community, but to also make protests and demonstrations safer (as cops firing rubber bullets usually don’t send in the emergency medical technicians (EMTs) afterwards). However, many volunteer EMT squads will train and certify you if you agree to work for them for two years. Being able to treat minor injuries yourself often eliminates the reliance on police. Also, many places have “good samaritan” laws which stipulate that if you do not have official training (like an EMT certification), you cannot be liable for attempting life-saving interventions. This means you don’t legally need a class to teach yourself the basics and act as required.
That being said, if a professional that you trust shows up, remember that your training is less than theirs. They can help the injured person more effectively than you can, so while you shouldn’t leave, step back. If professionals show up and you don’t want to be treated for any reason, you always can refuse care. The only exception is when you are legally unable to give consent, something that is only the case if you are not alert, not aware, or in life-threatening danger (actively having a heart attack or bleeding out, for example). They will always tell you that you should go to the hospital, but if you don’t want to simply say “I do not consent to care; I want to sign your waiver.” If you change your mind, you can always head to the hospital later without the cops hanging around.
If you decide that you do need emergency medical care, be prepared. Ask any friends who don’t need to be there or are especially vulnerable to leave the scene as you’re calling. Tell the cops as little as they need: assert this is only a medical issue and use other techniques for dealing with police. They often won’t leave before the EMTs, so have at least one person who makes sure they won’t be snooping around while you’re in the ambulance. Lastly, know that you can insist on being taken to a specific hospital with good reason (e.g. better trauma center, your regular doctor, etc.) and that you have a right to treatment even if you cannot pay for it.
Additional Resources:
https://nhcps.com/lesson/cpr-first-aid-medical-problems-encountered/, https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/first-aid/performing-first-aid/first-aid-steps, https://unchartedsupplyco.com/blogs/news/basic-first-aid
https://healthcare.uslegal.com/patient-rights/the-right-to-treatment/
5. All Things Union
The perennial question in American Labor politics has become “why join a union?” when under capitalism it should be “why not join a union?” Many people think that “unionizing” is a dirty word until they do it and realize that union membership’s bad reputation is almost entirely just preemptive smear campaigning by management and owners. They know that discussing your pay with other employees and using your power as crucial parts in the production of their product means that they have to give everyone fair wages and respect. Since your hourly rate or yearly salary cuts into their profit margin, being able to undervalue the work of poor, non-white, non-masculine people is their best scam yet.
Technically, a workplace cannot legally fire you for trying to unionize. It’s hardly a secret, however, that they will either fire you outright or for nonsensical reasons so they don’t risk losing precious profit. WikiHow has a good flowchart which walks you through how to consider unionizing a workplace and many large unions, like AFL-CIO offer guidance and consultations. The important part is to quietly build support among employees, countering any anti-union propaganda, before you vote to establish one. Be aware that short of retaliatory firing, there are many tricks up the sleeves of companies to dispel unions. One of these is discouraging people from discussing salaries or wages and some companies try to convince employees that such disclosures are illegal which in itself would be an illegal act by the company.
Once you’ve built collective power with your fellow employees, there are many tactics that you can begin using to achieve workplace goals. These obviously work best with official union membership, but strong bonds among workers have a history of making unsanctioned union actions such as “wildcat strikes” equally effective. Most people are familiar with striking, a refusal to work until certain demands are met, but there are many more tactics that unions use. Something that might accompany a strike is a picket action where you gather outside a place of work to dissuade other people (also known as “scabs”) from working during the strike and draw media attention. It doesn’t necessarily have to accompany a strike, though, as the (black) Civil Rights Movement utilized it effectively against discriminatory institutions. There are also “slow-downs,” a purposeful reduction in productivity that may evolve into a full-blown strike or remain its own method. The appeal of a slow-down is that striking workers don’t go without wages. Lastly, never underestimate the effectiveness of leaflet campaigns to convey messaging.
Additional Resources:
https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/truth-about-discussing-your-salary
https://www.wikihow.com/Unionize-Your-Workplace
https://www.eballot.com/blog/the-union-organizing-process-explained
https://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/can-i-be-fired-for-attempting-to-unionize–1689508.html, https://aflcio.org/formaunion
https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/tools-and-samples/hr-qa/pages/preventunionorganization.aspx
https://unionbustingplaybook.com/
6. Self-Care
Leftism is not a personality trait. I sometimes push myself to the point of breaking down at a protest, and guess what: it doesn’t stop the systemic injustice that I am protesting. As Audre Lorde said, “[Self-care] is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.” Far from a consumption model (e.g. “buying x is self-care”), she envisioned it more as purposefully setting aside time and space to immerse oneself in loving oases before venturing back out into the toxic world that we inhabit. Currently, people acknowledge between five and seven categories of self-care ranging from physical to psychological to spiritual.
Make a list before you’re tired and burnt out of things to do and people to talk to. For me, self-care often takes the form of hanging out with other trans students and simply being happy. That is revolutionary in and of itself, like Lorde said, precisely because we live in a time where some people still assert that trans people should be sad, self-loathing recluses. Having different types of self-care you can practice in response to the variety of stressors that you will encounter is also important. Set your boundaries now. Practice saying “no” to others when they ask you to help, and have friends help keep you accountable. The hardest part of self-care in my opinion is not feeling guilty for taking the time for yourself. As long as you are actively working towards a more equitable future, some mental/physical/spiritual maintenance is part of that fight.
Additional Resources:
https://themighty.com/2017/11/types-of-self-care-for-mental-health/, https://secure.everyaction.com/p/Pg5bqblugE6-NGId09RIcQ2, https://blogs.psychcentral.com/weightless/2011/05/the-7-vital-types-of-self-care/, https://www.blessingmanifesting.com/2017/07/what-is-self-care.html/, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/shyness-is-nice/201403/seven-types-self-care-activities-coping-stress
7. Financial Literacy
If you’re striking or the state decides to fine you, you need money. It helps to have a basic understanding of savings, loans, and all things financial. You don’t need to become a certified accountant who can file tax returns in their sleep or a Wall Street stocktrader on the side, but you should know how the American financial system handles debt and credit. For example, while “payday loans” and car title loans are great ways to get cash quickly, they are predatory and should be avoided when possible. The differences between secured (something held in collateral like a house or car) and unsecured or variable-interest (fluctuates with the “market”) and fixed-rate interest correspond to different levels of cash available and the lifetime debt that the loan represents. Regardless of the type, the common sense adage holds true: only borrow what you need. In the unfortunate event that someone close to you dies, never make a payment on any of their debts unless you were the co-signer of the loan or issued payments from a joint account. Many companies will trick family members into assuming debt when legally before the first payment it would only be settled using the deceased’s “estate” (aka things they owned at the time of their death).
The other main part of the American financial system is credit or credit history, a record of how you use money. A report exists for every social security number and includes credit cards, loans, and whether payments are late. These are then translated into a numeric representation which is supposed to indicate how good of a candidate you are for financial support. Financial institutions make inquiries into your score before issuing loans or credit cards. At any point in your life, you can be in one of three situations: 1) no credit history, or a truly neutral situation that makes it difficult to borrow because of a lack of records; 2) “bad” credit history, which may exist without your knowledge because of parental borrowing using your social security number; or 3) “good” credit history, which requires maintenance or your score decreases. You can easily monitor your credit score for free with CreditKarma.com. You can build credit by opening a secured credit card (the bank puts a hold on enough money to cover the amount you can charge) if you have savings or having someone with an established credit history co-sign (and thus assume responsibility for any debts). If those don’t work, you can get credit-builder loans (basically forced savings account).
American credit can’t be responsibly discussed without mentioning the racial dynamics of it: communities of color are often denied access to credit sources and then a lack of credit history or bad scores are used to deny access. Until we reform the system, learning how to play by these antiquated rules is a must. Only the independently wealthy will never need a credit card or loan, and they are not impacted by the system in the first place. On a related note, choosing a bank (for-profit institution) or credit union (not for-profit, but smaller) is an important decision that can be incredibly confusing. Any financial institution that you use should be insured, a guarantee by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) that your money will be returned to you if the bank closes. After that, the choice comes down to account requirements, interest rates, and digital/physical accessibility of your money. Lastly, remember the importance of savings. How much and how you save depends on what your short and long term goals are, but you rarely know in advance when your income will decrease or your debts will increase.
Additional Resources:
https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/finance/debts-after-death-life-insurance/
https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/finance/how-to-build-credit/
https://lendingtree.com/personal/different-types-of-personal-loans/
https://www.wikihow.com/Choose-a-Bank-or-Credit-Union-That-Is-Right-for-You
8. Education
No one is born understanding the varied and intersecting axes of oppression that define our society. The ideas of solidarity and speaking words to power are useful, but only if you know and understand them. Lived experience is crucial, but it can be helpful to use theory as a guide to frame the experiences. Reading literature can reinforce your convictions, broaden the scope of a problem, and facilitate communication through common language. While I personally will never assert that theory should be central in the life of a leftist, it shouldn’t be totally neglected when possible. There are resources online like Library Genesis where you can find many books for free—and public libraries are often underutilized.
The other side of the coin is that education skills are undervalued. Not only does teaching content give you a better grasp of it personally, but you increase the number of people in the world who understand the importance of equity. Not everyone has the time or energy required to sift through Lenin and W.E.B. DuBois, so being able to teach other leftists helps increase the accessibility of theory. In turn, this brings more people into the dialogue on issues and enriches the theory through their contributions. On a broader scale, part of changing the world is changing the next generation. More people thinking about how to solve the problems that we have inherited means more solutions to choose among.
Additional Resources:
Bonus Skill: Food Preparation and Gardening
People can’t strike or riot if they’re hungry. Buy produce cheap when it is in season, and pickle or preserve it so that you help save both money and the environment. Have one dish you can make to feed 50 to 100 people if necessary. Be aware of dietary restrictions (do you know how to make sure a meal is hallal?) you may encounter. So many herbs and small plants can be grown indoors to save you money. Some food you buy at the supermarket you can then plant a portion to get essentially infinite food. Home-grown produce also reduces your carbon footprint.
Bonus Skill: Basic Carpentry, Plumbing, Electricity
So much more becomes available when you have access to a hammer and knowledge. Putting together an Ikea cabinet or building a ramp can make an area more accessible. Some basic plumbing or electrical know-how lets you help a friend whose utilities have been turned off or who unexpectedly hits a rough patch. You can repurpose discarded electronics to save money and prevent waste. It never hurts to be more autonomous, either. Just remember what the limits of your skills are and don’t be too naive to avoid more experienced help.
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