Tomorrow is the date of the primaries in CA. As many of you know, I have been running as an open socialist for the State Assembly in the 62nd District. From the beginning, we were realistic about our campaign goals. Winning the seat was not one of those goals. We wanted to use the opportunity to engage in a dialogue with the public using a vehicle (electoral work) that was understood by many. As tomorrow approaches, I feel confident in saying that this campaign was far more successful than I initially imagined. We have literally reached thousands of residents in the 62nd District, (an area that includes Hawthorne, Inglewood, Venice, El Segundo, Gardena, Westchester, Marina del Rey) with the socialist message, and have had an opportunity to hear what our neighbors have been facing at their places of work, their schools, with immigration, with their concerns about electoral politics, etc. We have made new friendships that we will sustain. Many of the folks we have met have stated that this was the first time they have met an actual socialist. And, outside of a few encounters through social networking, we have yet to have a single negative response to our ideas and what we represent. More than anything, it’s been a lot of smiles, hugs, and laughter. The Socialist Party USA folks have been so supportive throughout the course of the campaign. Most all of them live outside the 62nd District, but they have all been so generous in sharing campaign information and helping to make contributions when needed. While I’m not surprised by their response, I am more grateful than I can probably say. There are many reasons why I lend my efforts to the Socialist Party USA, and none are as important to me as the SP’s membership. I love my comrades. Others throughout the Left have also been very supportive, whether in lending their outright endorsement (the DSA’s L.A. chapter, Chris Williams of System Change Not Climate Change and the ISO, Dan La Botz, the Los Angeles Valley College Socialists, Diane Gee, Robert D. Skeels, and many others) or in attending campaign events and helping with fundraising (the YCL in L.A., Professor Daniel Olmos, and others). People often say that we need a united Left. I’m not sure, but it seems to me that it’s not that difficult when you treat another with dignity and respect. I’ve known some of these folks for a long time, and have always considered them allies. We might not unite under the umbrella of a single party, but we most certainly can stand in unity to fight. One of the real joys of this whole campaign process has been experiencing the warmth and support from family, friends, and the people we’ve met for the first time, whether in-person or online, who have extended their support in sharing campaign information. I am well-aware that in many areas of the country, there is a lot of judgment and in some cases, hostility, toward the socialist message. So many folks have been tremendously courageous in taking a step forward to support something they believe in, in supporting the right of others to express their ideas, in helping to shed some light on what socialism is all about. I don’t take the willingness to sacrifice for the cause lightly. Much love and respect. I must say that I am incredibly hopeful about the future of the socialist movement in the U.S. Why? The people I’ve met – the working class, the students, the folks who know what it’s like to live with a boot on their throats every second of the day while they bust their asses trying to do right by their friends and families – are hip to what’s going on in this country. They are stirring, and it seems that each day, the voices are getting louder. The fire is burning hot. This most certainly has nothing to do with me. They don’t need me. We all need each other. Finally, it is very important to me to thank Lynn Lomibao, Jen McClellan, Steve Soltysik, Rustin Knudtsen, Jeffrey Krause, and Jose Cordova for all the work they have done over the last few months. If I wasn’t as forthcoming with thanks as I should have been, please accept my apologies. I am both grateful and humbled. At the end of the day, my feet are blistered, I am a little tired, and my shoes are beat. But damn – that was a lot of fun. On to revolution!!! Emidio Mimi Soltysik
Posted on: Tue, 03 Jun 2014 01:41:33 +0000
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