Hello folks, my name is Radio, and I am QUITE new to all this- I grew up in a leftist christian socialist household, and learned a lot about class struggle through my childhood and my adulthood. I think I am ready to explore some of my political leanings and channeling it through community outreach, nonviolent protest, and by learning from my fellow workers more about the movement.

I've finally sat down to actually read the manifesto, and it really struck a chord with my personal views. That there is a lot more to the ideology than meets the eye. Particularly, the focus on LGBTQIA+ rights and climate change was very encouraging.

Anyone with advice about how to get involved, any good books or videos you would recommend, or tips and advice you can give me just in general when it comes to being a member of the party would be super appreciated!

DMs are open if you prefer that, too

Greetings, comrades!

I recently submitted an application to join CPUSA about two weeks ago and just heard back from my state’s organization today! I’ll be attending a new member orientation this coming Monday and paying dues soon. For anyone interested in joining and wanting to know the process, I know it might vary from state to state, but upon speaking to my state’s organization, these are the only steps I need to take.

The organizer that reached out said that there’s not a club in my area, but living close to NYC, I have some options to join and participate in. There’s hybrid options for accessibility for nearby clubs as well and I think that’s amazing and the route I’ll take for now, since it’s what works best for me.

I’m relatively new to Marxism, but I’ve been doing some reading and watching videos on the CPUSA YouTube, and I’m very grateful to be part of such an active, inclusive community that cares about all people.

If anyone has any recommendations or suggestions about readings, videos, membership, or anything else, I’m open to any and all of it! I’ve got a few books on the way by Marx, Lenin, and Engels, so I think I’m at a good starting point. I’m open to other suggestions as well!

As Marx and Engels famously said: workers of the world, unite; you have nothing to lose but your chains.

In solidarity,
A new comrade who’s ready to take action

What is the party's current stance on sex workers and antisex work legislation, including laws targeting pornography and prostitution?

I am aware that some Marxist-Leninist regimes prohibit these activities, but many Western ML organizations seem to favor decriminalization at the very least. Some oppose reactionary legislation but still advocate cultural struggle against it.

My thought was that communism itself would remove the material bases for commercial sex or pornography. If everyone's needs were fully provided for, there was no profit motive, and women were truly equal, the financial incentives would completely dry up.

But, at the same time, communism itself does not regulate private behavior or prescribe any specific moral taboos, except to the extent that it affects the mode of production. So theoretically people could still do it just for fun, like making amateur pornography or as a form of artistic expression or even just trading sex for special gifts or favors ("quid pro quo") if they so desired.

It's just that nobody would have to do it in order to survive. But if somebody had a particular fetish along those lines, out of sheer exhibitionism or a kink for transactional sex or whatever, it wouldn't necessarily be prohibited as long as they were all consenting adults.

At the same time, one could argue that many current sexual practices are rooted in capitalist alienation and that changing the baseline material conditions of society would change our consciousness and ideas about sex as well. So there might be forms of sexual expression that we can't even imagine while still living under capitalism, while many current practices rooted in patriarchy and capitalism would die out with the absence of inequality and exploitation.

So I'm just curious what comrades and party members think about this, because I know that some communist organizations take a hard line against sex work and pornography, while others favor legalization or at least decriminalization. I haven't really seen the topic addressed within CPUSA. Maybe it's just a Trotskyist/Maoist obsession or it would be too divisive or a distraction from organizing the working class to take power.

Plus, where does the party stand on organizing sex workers to fight back against pimps, madams, bosses, and johns, and take back control over their own workplaces? Is that something that has ever been discussed or theorized within orthodox Marxism-Leninism?

My monthly dues were canceled by PayPal today and the email from PayPal says the profile is inactive. Just wondering if it’s a PayPal issue or what.

I am very new to communism and to CPUSA so forgive me if my question is dumb or offensive. I am only trying to learn. I know the party describes itself as Marxist-Leninist. And I know that Lenin said the only reason to interact with bourgeois democracy was to destroy it. But then I saw an interview with Comrade Joe Sims talking about how we need to participate in elections. Is there something I’m not understanding? Is there a new interpretation of the theory? I’m not coming with any judgement or preconceived notions. I am just trying to understand the theory, the history, and the present situation. Thanks in advance for your help, comrades.

In the same way that there's a flair for party members and fellow travelers I think this subreddit should have a custom flair for Young Communist League members

I am forced to live with an idiot step father until April and my address is gonna change by then, unfortunately he's liable to go ballistic... so while he doesn't know CPUSA or even the symbol... what exactly are on the envelopes?