Sunshine
and shadow
In comparing the sunny climate of a West Indian Island with
the grimy industrial areas of Britain; one would expect to
find some powerful motive that compels large numbers of the
citizens of Jamaica, for instance; to emigrate from that
holiday oriented isle to the damp, overcrowded, chilling in
winter, dismal concrete “scenery” of Manchester, Birmingham,
Sheffield Leeds or London.
Such a motive can be expressed in one word;—–Employment!
Yes, Siree! Employment is the operative word that robs a man
or woman of the sunshine and fresh air they left behind, along
with some “Unemployment” possibly as well. Because members of
a working that is world wide, must find a buyer for their
mental and physical energy; — their labour power — which is
the only commodity they possess.
Therefore, it is no mere coincidence that a demand for labour
power existing in Britain from 1955 to 1961 were the years
that saw the peak of West Indian immigration to the U.K. Plus
the fact that a popular “door” for immigrants from the
Caribbean to the U.S.A. had already been practically closed to
them via the McCarran Walter Act of 1952
So Britain assumed the role of “Promised Land” to these
purveyors of human energy. Sadly and ironically the “promise”
was one of Wage Slavery! The immigrants certainly found
employment in various occupations, easier than they found
accommodation; which was a different “kettle of fish”; and in
Manchester many of them are housed in the ramshackle dwellings
of Moss Side where their curly headed “piccaninnies”
acclimatize themselves into the grey industrial environment of
diesel engine fumes, blitz sites and back alleys.
So having forsaken their West Indian sunshine for industrial
grime, many of these men and women work as Bus conductors;
some of the men as Drivers whilst others even commence trading
on their own account as small shopkeepers etc. The betting
shops and offices can also boast a large Caribbean clientele;
“playing up” their “British Wages” as courageously as any of
the native citizens of their class.
Apparently however the British Bookmakers do not get all the
hard earned wages of these immigrants, as according to the
British Central Office of information, quote— “Remittances
sent home by migrants contribute considerably to the Jamaican
economy; it is reported that, in 1961; £5.4 million was
remitted from the U.K. alone”. But if we compare this figure
of roughly Five Million Pounds remitted; with the total West
Indian population of Britain in 1961 of 172,379—-(The figure
given by Dr. Ceri Peach in his book “West Indian Migration to
Britain”, published in 1968) it only averages about £29 per
head of the immigrant population for that year. Which confirms
the Socialist analysis of Capitalism, that “we” cant all
become capitalists! In fact, very few indeed, members of any
working class family can manage to emancipate themselves from
wage slavery, and the few who do, are generally physically
exhausted and aged by the time they get a foot on the “first
rung” of the capitalist ladder after a lifetime of wage, or
salary slavery. In fact, the very popularity of Football Pools
in Britain and elsewhere, prove that most workers are looking
for a “short cut” up that elusive ladder, But—if those
millions who feverishly study the “Pools” (immigrants
included), would devote the same time to the study of the
Socialist solution to their poverty, this would indeed be the
REAL “short cut” they are looking for!
Meantime, there are members of the British capitalist class
who skip gaily across the Atlantic in the opposite direction,
to “lap up” that sunshine the Caribbean Emigrants left behind.
These are the only people who are free to roam the earth,
precisely because they do not have to seek employment! And so
can indeed “follow the sun”.
Whilst the Jamaican immigrants have been getting acclimatized
to a hostile environment in Britain, Capitalism has been
developing apace in their native land, and now apart from the
traditional exports of Bananas, and sugar; Bauxite mining
(Aluminium ore) and other industries, including the “Tourist”
trade are firmly established. The working class of Jamaica are
now organised within the Caribbean Congress of Labour and it
remains for them to “Set their sights” on the class conscious
target of World Socialism, They can make a start by supporting
their local Socialist Group, whose official organ is “The
Socialist Review” (published in Kingston) and the only
socialist journal in Jamaica. Whilst their Brothers &
Sisters in Britain will always find a comradely welcome at any
socialist meeting in the area, all of which are regularly
advertised in the “Socialist Standard”. Over in U.S.A. and
Canada, the old established “Western Socialist” caters for
that immense land mass, with Socialist, thousands of miles
apart, collaborating in the vital, urgent task of working for
Socialism. The achievement of which will remove the Shadow of
Wage slavery and allow the Socialist “Sun” to shine on All of
us,
G.R. Russell. (SPGB.)
Ferment among workers
The gradual realisation that independence only mean the
shifting of political power, to our own ruling class, first
brought on a general feeling of frustration, now there are
signs that this helplessness is giving way to action,
especially among organised workers.
Our two political parties have for the most part controlled
all the workers in major industries, and services, with its
blanket type union ever since the constitution of 1944. Today
however, the situation is changing, as workers in different
sections of the economy are rejecting the leadership of the
political unions and forming their own. The political Unions
are not likely to take this lying down, and like in the past
are expected to forget their “differences” and unite against
the common enemy. Whether they can smash these new unions,
rest entirely on how determined the workers are.
Capitalism is a class society where the means of production is
owned by a few, and the rest have to work for them as factory
and office workers. Socialist have said often enough that the
development of Capitalism is essential for a class conscious
working class. Workers have begun to realise that no matter
what their party affiliation, a rise in the cost of living
(and what a rise it has been) affects them all. As wages buy
less they gradually grasp how dependent they are on it. How
this counter attack to defend themselves through their own
unions.
We welcome this new awareness among members of the working
class, who see that their position in society is nothing more
than a wage slave. But we hope that they do not think that by
organising within their own unions, that will be it.
Capitalism is a profit making system, there is a limit to what
even the most militant union can accomplish. Remember that
unions at best can only play a defensive role. Its not good
enough to cry out against low wages, but remain silent on the
wage system. Or condemn profiteering but not production for
profit. After a time trade unions become a part of the status
quo, accepting the premise that this is the only way to live,
content with the occasional pay rise for their members. One
should remember what Marx said “away with the conservative
motto, a fair days work for a fair days pay, and inscribe on
your banner the revolutionary watchword ABOLITION OF THE WAGES
SYSTEM”.
The present upsurge of activity among workers will achieve no
lasting solution to their problems, unless they visualise as
their goal an end to the wage system. Only then, will
exploitation, war, disease, poverty, and all the other social
maladies of capitalism cease to engulf or threaten us. The
lesson of history is quite clear; Capitalism cannot be
reformed to serve the interest of all, the labour movement
throughout the world give many examples of people who had this
as their goal. The things they worked to remedy are still in
existence.
As Socialists we advocate Socialism, a system based on
production for use. The basis of socialism is the ownership of
all the means of production by the whole community. Wealth
will be produced not for sale, but solely to satisfy human
need. This is possible because of the high development of
capitalism itself. We stand ready, to help our fellow workers
understand the nature of capitalist society, and to convince
them, by the overpowering evidence available that socialism
should be their only goal. Lets not make this opportunity pass
us by, capitalism only survive because too few people realise
that it can be replaced with a social system more in harmony
with our development. The growing consciousness among workers
is indeed a good sign, but unless its energies are directed in
the right direction nothing to their benefit can come from it.
SHEV.
The Russian myth
Russia is often referred to as a socialist country, although a
lot more people within the technologically advanced countries,
have began to see the lie in this. (Thanks to Russia’s own
development, and the regular analysis by the SPGB.) Out here
however, the very mention of Russia is still equated with
violent revolution, and something to do with socialism. So to
say without reserve, that Russia is not a socialist country,
and very definitely a developed capitalist society would come
as quite a shock to many people within the West Indies.
“No social order” said Karl Marx “ever disappears before all
the productive forces for which there is room in it have been
developed”. In 1917 Russia was a feudal society, a country
made up chiefly of peasant farmers.(Something like our own
farmer in the rural areas.) Socialism is made possible only by
the development of capitalist industry. Socialism could not
have been established in Russia after the revolution, the
country was ready for capitalist development and nothing else.
Capitalism follows feudalism, just as socialism will follow
capitalism. This is an inevitable pattern of development. The
problem of production must first be solved, before socialism
is possible.
After the fighting had ceased in 1917, an educated elite found
itself in power, in a country with an illiterate population.
They soon found that they had to identify their plans to suit
the ignorant majority, so as to maintain power. They also
found that the only way of development possible were along
capitalist lines. The conditions that existed demanded these
actions, the people who administered it could not do
otherwise. Socialism cannot be brought about by a minority
group, people cannot be led into it. It demands the
understanding and desire of the majority. Whatever happened in
Russia in 1917, it certainly had nothing to do with
establishing socialism. The conditions did not exist for this.
Today, Russia is a powerful state capitalist country, rivalled
only by the United States. Here again we come across another
misunderstanding because it is not a free enterprise system
like the western world. It runs a system called STATE
CAPITALISM, which means that the government becomes the sole
capitalist, controlling industries and directing investment
issuing bonds to investors without them having any control in
running the industry. This matters little, as the economic
laws of capitalism remain the same. Cost must be kept to a
minimum, and profits realised for further expansion. It is
wrong to believe that the working class of Russia own the
industries there. They have to work for their wage like the
working class of any other country. The problem of making ends
meet, is as much their worry as it is ours. The social
relation of people is the only basis for judging a society.
How people live, not what the rulers call the system. Any
examination of Russia, will expose its socialist pretentious,
and reveal that capitalism is firmly rooted and flourishing.
Another deceptive argument popularised by Soviet apologists,
is that socialism is the first step towards communism. Marx
and Engels used these words without any different meaning
attached. The choice of word was influenced by prevailing
atmosphere, rather than any difference in meaning. SOCIALISM
AND COMMUNISM REFER TO THE SAME OBJECTIVE.
America and Russia are the two main economic rivals in the
world today. China is making strides along the Russian line of
development to join the other two giants as the sole arbiters
of our civilisation. Observe how even the pretension of
ideological differences between the two, is no longer
prominent in the speeches of their rulers. Also notice how the
economic rivalry between them intensify. A good example is
their present battle to control the rich oil fields of the
Middle East.
Socialism does not exist in any country, be it Russia, China,
or Cuba. When however this becomes a reality it shall embrace
the world.
A letter from England
When one listens to the Radio, look at the television, read
the national papers, one is confronted with the question of
violence. Hijacking of planes, kidnapping of prominent people,
murder, & bombing. Why this deep concern of the mouth
pieces of Capitalism! One would think that it is only recently
that such things took place, when if fact the whole history of
capitalism has been one of violence. Its burst from the womb
of Feudalism was a very violent affair. It has been that way
ever since.
Hijacking of planes, kidnapping of officials, whether to Cuba,
Turkey, Egypt or elsewhere is done for political and
nationalistic motives, not for the benefit of the vast
majority living in any of the given countries. (as a socialist
I don’t take sides.)
The mass of people living in those countries are just pawns in
the political game, misguided ones at that. As I was asked for
my views on violence by a Jamaican Comrade, it will be
appropriate to say something about the violence that threaten
that island in the sun, from time to time.
When the British colonised the island with slave labour,
murder, and brutality in its ugliest form reigned, as every
student of history knows. When slavery was abolished a period
of hope and quietness for the freed slaves took place, but was
very short lived, the free wage worker soon found the new
conditions had a very mixed blessing. Their so called
emancipation was non-existence, WAGE SLAVERY took over and in
many cases the Uncle Toms yearned for the old days.
The gaining of independence for Jamaica Brought a new surge of
hope, this too was very short lived. The workers soon found
their new Bosses Just as ruthless, conditions were just as bad
for the majority. Soon this lovely island with its ideal
climate, became the playground few the wealthy few. Only
relatively few natives shared in the wave of Capitalist
expansion.
When the Jamaican working class found that under home rule,
social conditions were no better, disappointed with
unfulfilled promises of the reformers, many became easy prey
for the professionals of violence. If any Black Power
adherents of violence claim that all I have said is “whitey’s”
fault, let them reflect on what happened in Nigeria, may be
that will teach them a lesson. Yes, say our critic, all this
have been said before, the important thing is to stop it. We
as socialist have the answer. Our solution is, abolish the
cause of violence, which is World Capitalism and in its place
have Socialism. Then for the first time in history a
brotherhood of man in the true sense will take place. As this
letter is just a view, and make no pretence of being a
scientific exposition, I would suggest to any reader who
wishes for further information to read the article in the
Socialist Standard on violence in the May 1970 issue.
Yours for Socialism
George S.P.G.B.
A note on ganja
The continuous effort of the government to stamp out ganja
(marijuana) smoking, although intense, seem unlikely to
succeed. It is important to note that although the penalty is
severe so many people risk being caught. As our society become
more developed, our need for escape increases, normal
existence become boring, and pressurised. Ganja smoking
provide that illusion of happiness, and importance so many
people find lacking in their daily lives.
Ganja is also big business, which means that no government
action can easily frustrate people from making money by
selling the drug. The pattern of our development is well set,
alienation and frustration will seek various ways to find
relief, ganja is one way of escape. The government approach to
the ganja market only emphasise that capitalism does not even
recognise the problems its very functions create.
Cremo.
(Kingston, 1970)