Heads up: Revolutionary Blogs on a Roll

When Red Flags started out, it was a lonely blog. A year or two later, and there's been an explosion of communist activity online taking advantage of the Web 2.0 technologies that allow for an entirely new degree of interactivity and discussion. What's challenging is that many of the disputes that previously took place in isolated rooms now flow online 24 hours a day. What's exciting is that intellectual ferment currently shaking the communist movement is finding expression in public forums in a way previously rare.

My old comrade Left Spot wrote up a preliminary summation of the Red blogosphere and Modern Pitung's  All Our For the Fight has been thinking outloud about how we can use these technologies without getting used by them.

I just wanted to hype up a few of my favorites...

CelticFire, an early blogger and revolutionary communist, mothballed his original blog and has re-launched as the Portland Maoist. CelticFire is an honest, tough-minded revolutionary and is determined to dig into questions beyond superficialities or simple declarations. He upholds MLM, but is independent at this time.

History Is A Weapon is building an excellent archive of historical and contemporary speeches, essays and interactive graphics. The blogging feature mainly just promos new additions to the archive, but it's great. Not formally (or particularly) Maoist, it's certainly revolutionary and not the least bit narrow.

Reason and Revolution features regular updates on the unfolding revolution in Nepal. Naxal Revolution blogs on developments in India and South Asia.

Lenin's Tomb has the best writing as such, which means a British Trot is still spanking us (and cozying up to Islamists) with all the snarky gusto they've always been known for.

All Out For the Fight is another New York-based, Maoist-oriented blog. Modern Pitung mixes reporting, ruminations and current events with a keen interest in history. It has a more personal touch than many of the red blogs, which is a plus in my book (even if I'm not going there).

And Left Spot, another early red blog pioneer is building a special collection archive of communist pamphlets, documents, polemics and histories that is unique and excellent. I bet he even takes submissions... If you can overlook creepy entries like this (or if Freedom Road-ML gets over their flirtations with Workers World-style Brown/Red "unity"), there's a bunch of great stuff here you can't find anywhere else.

And my favorite new addition is Lefty Henry's Word of the Left. A mix of theory, analysis and conversation. Here's hoping it's just getting going and not a flash in the pan!

No doubt there's more to come. Any new sites can be linked below.

Comments

[Haisanlu]

Has anybody got any serious proposals for Marxist Leninist Maoist blogs link ups and shared resources ?

Haisanlu

[Nelson H.]

Despite sporadic periods of inactivity, I still live. I wanted to throw out an idea that takes a stab at doing something like what Haisanlu gets at. And naturally, I'll do so in a way that shows the utmost level of comradely respect - comment spam.

Spamming below:

In the coming weeks I'm challenging myself to take on questions of white supremacy and white privilege as a central focus in all forthcoming posts. I'm extending this challenge to others in our corner of the blogosphere. I remember Villa Villekula's call for bloggers to make "classim" the topic en vogue this past Labor Day; and in this vein I propose a very specific form of the aforementioned challenge.

Let's take the MLK holiday as an opportunity to blog against white supremacy.

A broad topic indeed, but one that is so foundational to any other conversation we might have, whether we are talking about patriarchy, capitalism and class structure, popular culture, etc. Plus many, many folks already do this daily. But the idea is a more coordinated effort to flex out collective muscles. If others agree with this idea, spread the call far and wide. Everyone has a solid 6 days to get a story worked out. At the very least transcribe a good theory piece and put together a decent intro. Get friends who don't blog involved. I'm always amazed at the shear number of folks on MySpace - get friends to post something there in the blog section or even as a bulletin. It doesn't matter, just lean on them to do it.

Drop a comment on this post back at my blog if you are up for it. I will start keeping a list of co-conspirators on the side-bar along with a post early next Monday with a list of blogs to follow that day.
-Nelson H.

[the burningman]

It's an excellent idea. I'll expedite something related I've been thinking about: the question of "allies."

[Lauren]

I am just getting my feet wet in the world of revolutionary blogging, but I'm excited about it. I just started Present Progressive Mood, which has mostly focused on Latin America but will be expanding, and I'll also participate in the Blogging Against White Supremacy Day.
I'm definitely glad I discovered your blog and others.

[Jaroslav O.]

[OK, time to toot my own horn...]

Come by REVOLUTION RADIO at myspace.com/revolusi_boleh (also under Burningman's "Fellow Travellers" section; thank you!)

Because where else are you gonna hear German punk, Senegalese rap, Argentinian metal (& yeah, got some US stuff too, call it affirmative action) -- all with a revolutionary content?

The blog section is always interesting, though it is often a repost with a short comment rather than a big huge original thesis or a full-length translation, due to my offline busy-ness.

I also have an extensive links section.

PS. To comment you will need a myspace account (free), but to read & listen you don't anything but a computer & speakers/headphones.

[the burningman]

Since I wrote this up, I realized I left off the most-improved site in the red blogosphere.

The Primary Contradiction is great. I hadn't seen Yolanda's coverage of the Duke rape case, in particular, and I have to say it's inspired me to try harder. Serious, original writing and real discussion.

I'm going to re-post something she wrote in a few days, but I had to make a note before then.