Dare to Struggle is a collective of revolutionaries in Portland Oregon that seeks to
participate in and contribute to the development of a revolutionary movement of movements
in the United States. We seek to engage in these political crises in our time towards the
overthrow of white supremacist capitalist patriarchy and for the liberation and self
determination of all oppressed people. ---- Towards these ends we are structured as an
anti-authoritarian cadre organization. We believe the type of cadre organization necessary
at this specific time and place, is one that prioritizes the development of revolutionary
leadership of women, people of color, and LGTBQ folks. By revolutionary we mean leadership
that is committed, accountable and seeks to do work that is strategic.
As an organization that is primarily made up of women, poc, and LGTBQ cadre, we do this
work by creating the space to empower, challenge, and engage with one another through
study, criticism/self criticism, and strategic political work and development.
Our strategy for revolution in the United States is two fold to attack U.S.
Capitalism/colonialism at one of its foundational roots by struggling against white
supremacy and to do this work through a trans-disciplinary revolutionary feminist praxis,
that seeks all gender and sexual self determination.
For most recent news, activity, and writings see our BLOGhttp://www.daretostrugglepdx.com
Dare to Struggle Points of Unity
Revolutionary: We believe capitalist white supremacist patriarchy cannot be reformed, we
seek to attack these root systems that lay at the foundations of capitalism in the United
States. We seek to build struggle and engage in liberation movements as social ruptures
develop to push the envelope on liberatory ideas and practices. Liberalism is the enemy of
revolutionaries, in that it seeks a kinder gentler white supremacist capitalist
patriarchy. It seeks to co-opt revolutionary ideas into collaborating peace with the
capitalist powers. As revolutionaries we seek to do work that is strategic, builds, and is
accountable.
Anti-Capitalist: We believe that the historical materialist foundation and development of
capitalism in the United States is rooted in both white supremacy and patriarchy. The
super profits and surplus production system was built on the land, labor and blood of the
colonization of indigenous people, the enslavement and internal colonization of Afrikans,
the annexation and colonization of sovereign nations Puerto Rico, northern Mexico, Hawaii,
and indigenous and first nation peoples. The patriarchal maintenance of capitalism is
evident in the reproduction of labor and the onset of the gendered workforce. Capitalism
in the United States adapts and grasps at all potential mechanisms to further divide and
exploit the working class. Furthermore as capital has globalized production, distribution
and it's quest for resources, our struggle must be international.
-Against Colonialism: Colonization is about land, hearts and minds. The physical and
psychological struggle towards decolonization is a war to hold onto culture, sovereignty,
and autonomy. Self determination is necessary for oppressed nationalities to fully develop
their liberation struggles.
-Against Neo-Colonialism: Since the anti-colonial struggles in the United States and
internationally in the 50s-70s, western capital has moved into a new phase of colonialism,
neo-colonialism. Neocolonialism has sought to divide the oppressed and their struggle, by
elevating segments of our class, by offering them some economic/social privileges, and
creating an administration level amongst our own to reinforce white supremacist
capitalism. This has taken place globally, including the United States, and it is a tool
which is used in U.S. wars for resources internationally.
Revolutionary Feminism: The struggle against white supremacist capitalism necessitates it
be done from a revolutionary feminist praxis. White supremacist patriarchy is part of the
foundational roots of maintaining and reproducing capitalism. Women?s liberation has been
betrayed time and again by liberals, racists, and class collaborationists. Women?s
liberation necessitates a struggle against white supremacist capitalism. Revolutionary
feminism is the destruction of the gender binary, a queer liberation praxis, and a
militant anti-white supremacist praxis. Revolutionary feminism looks to develop an
understanding of reproductive labor and the binary constructs of gendered labor and the
destruction of right wing moralism.
Queer Liberation: Inherent in revolutionary feminism is the struggle to deconstruct the
gender binary and hetero-normativity. Heterosexism and homophobia are not just divisive
tools of white supremacist capitalist patriarchy, but are intentional mechanisms of
maintaining capitalist gender roles. White supremacist capitalist patriarchy uses the
gender binary to construct these gendered labor roles, nuclear family units for
foundational social control, the concepts of masculine and feminine, and the enforcement
of reactionary right wing moralism and backwardness on society. Queer liberation is not
about tolerance or assimilation. It is about destroying capitalism, white supremacy and
patriarchy, there can be no liberation of LGTBQ folks (or anyone) until this is done.
For communism: We are struggling for a classless and stateless society based on the
principles ?From each according to ability, to each according
to need.? We believe in the necessity for communists in the United States to regroup and
envision a new communism, based on movement analysis and lessons past and present. We
interpret communism from an anti-authoritarian, autonomous, and feminist perspective.
On Practice:
Revolutionary Leadership: Leadership should be intentional, strategic, and accountable. We
believe leadership is not about power, it is about respect and active listening, and
directly accountable to the organization, and movements they are engaged with. We believe
leadership should be intentionally developed amongst the oppressed under white supremacist
capitalist patriarchy.
Democratic Participation: We believe in horizontal structure and empowerment. We believe
in creating safer space for those marginalized by the largely hetero white cis gendered
male left to engage fully in dialogue and decision making. We believe in the necessity for
comrades in Dare to Struggle to support the organization decisions even if not in full
agreement, with the comradely understanding that we all have the best intentions at heart,
the liberation of our people.
Revolutionary Discipline: We believe in the necessity of creating an accountable culture
of revolutionary discipline. This should be based on respect and understanding of the work
we do and why we do it. Our work should be done out of love for our people and the
liberation struggle at stake. We must begin to take ourselves, and our ideas, seriously.
If we take a task, we must complete that task. We should seek growth in skills, study, and
engagement to better understand the world around us and better challenge white supremacist
capitalist patriarchy. We must be accountable to one another and should seek to use the
tools of criticism/self criticism to develop ourselves, our organization, and the social
struggles we participate in.
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