I was asked in private about my thoughts on Zohran Mamdani. If it makes people feel better about things for a while, then that’s fine. We could all use a moment of mental reprieve. But if you want to know if I think it’s some grand victory for the left? Then no, I don’t.
Electoral politics is merely a means of distracting and pacifying the masses by giving them the illusion of influence in a system designed from inception to oppress and control them. It is a soothing balm on the gaping, festering, infected wounds that have been rent in our collective body by capitalism. It is at best an analgesic, an opioid, that allows us to forget for a time, the underlying disease. It does not, and cannot, contribute to liberation and prosperity for the people.
I believe the most important, effective, and direct form of action is in building parallel power. Creating and engaging with community-based efforts that directly remove reliance on the State. Unions, worker co-ops, organization and planning, urban farming/community gardens, mutual aid, reading groups etc. These have direct, lasting effects that do not depend on elected officials.
So be happy for a while, celebrate if you want, but don’t forget to move forward. And remember,
“The Master’s Tools Will Never Dismantle the Master’s House.”