Fahd Ahmed: A few thoughts on the current political moment and the women’s march as an example:
1. For the folks dismissive of the women’s march – We (vaguely speaking “the left”) may not be able to survive (literally), let alone win/succeed, if we think we don’t have to engage and win over the “centrists” (center-left, center, and maybe even center-right) forces in this period
2. For the folks who push for unity with the center at all costs – Decades of centrist politics and policies is what got us the current moment in the first place. (To make sure this point doesn’t get underestimated): WE CANNOT TAIL THE CENTRISTS.
3. Strategy – There has to be some sort of alliance between the left and center forces, not only to fight back, but possibly even to just survive. The key question is whether we can do it by having left leadership, rather than tailing the centrists. That said, leadership will not be won by having the ‘right analysis’. It will be won by both engaged and principled struggle, AND by taking the lead in campaigns, issues and methods where we have the expertise/innovation
4. Not strategic – Shaming, calling out, ridiculing the centrists, for not having the right analysis, or for not having had the right historical record. “None of us was born a radical” (Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor).
The most important skill we will have to develop in this period and for the long haul is how to have principled struggle of ideas, and to do it in a way that WINS people over
5. Values – This is a time of populism. We are not going to win anyone over with the ‘right analysis’. This is a time to speak of our values, and what kind of vision we have for society. The need for critical analysis is deeper than ever, but that is not what is going to move or win people over. How do we turn those principled critiques into a path forward?