Old solutions for a new millenium...
It's the Brown Young
Communist League!
"Given a chance for the majority of people to be educated,
healthy, and free to act, it may well turn out that human equality is not
so wild a dream as many seem to hope."
"What counts today, the question which is looming on the
horizon, is the need for a re-distribution of wealth. Humanity must reply
to this question, or be shaken to pieces by it."
Introduction
The Young Communist League at Brown University is a multiracial group of students who work for racial and economic justice on campus and in the Providence community. We seek to question, analyze, and dismantle power structures through which people are exploited and oppressed and to create avenues through which we can transform society.
By using coalition-building and direct action models, we work to create
a better Brown, a better Providence, and a better society by supporting
and engaging in immediate local struggles with an eye to visionary global
goals.
Brief History
The Brown YCL has been active on campus for over a decade - struggling against the elitism and prejudice of the University in its many forms. We have been an agitator and advocate for a more open, democratic, and just university by founding, leading, and/or giving support to the following campaigns (among others):
- Coalition Against Apartheid (1987-90)
- Students for Aid and Minority Admissions (1991-92)
- Work Study Justice Campaign (1992-93)
- Financial Aid Justice Coalition (1994-96, ongoing)
- Brown Educational Access Campaign (1994-98)
- Black Reparations Campaign (1996-98)
- Living Wage/Work-Study Campaign (1999-ongoing)
- Emergency Coalition on the Visiting Committee on Diversity (2000)
- Coalition for Need-Blind Admissions (almost forever, it seems)
...
...
Theory
As we organize towards socialism, we also strive to improve our understanding of the world through education.
These projects include resources in the YCL Library in Faunce 301,
conducting a Marxist Studies Reading Group, organizing open forums, and
helping to bring speakers to campus (most notably Cesar Chavez and Angela
Davis). We are committed to developing both our peers and ourselves into
effective activist leaders who can and will transform society. Finding
a philosophical basis in which to best articulate our arguments is the linchpin of this project; lock step is the learning which is derived from practice.
Praxis
We try to have plenty of fun while fighting for a better future: from puppets to clowns, the YCL (like DMX) isn't afraid to act the fool or to lose its cool (up in here, up in here). Maybe you remember such zany times as:
- Clowning Around in University Hall (for open library access, spring 1998)
- Resistance Audio Projects (interviews with a beat, spring 1998 and fall 1999)
- The InCorporation Carnival Kissing Booth (for need-blind admissions, fall 1999)
- Puppet President E. Gordon Gee's appearance at the Ultimate Forum (2000)
- Hip-Hop Concerts and Open Mics (Jonny Five and friends, 1999-2000)
Interested?
Interesting?
Come to a meeting! We meet in Faunce 301 on Monday nights at 9pm. On campus and in Providence over the next year, our current campaigns will blossom and new campaigns will be born. We look forward to what you can contribute to the Brown YCL: whether it is a sharp and curious mind; a passion for action; a desire to learn, teach and engage in radical politics; connections with other community groups and organizations; ideas for new campaigns; creative impulses which you can barely control; or an untapped desire to bake lots of cookies and bring them to meetings - all of these will find a welcome place at our table.
Contact
For more information, please e-mail ycl@brown.edu,
or phone: (401) 453-3412
click here for some links you should check out!
