BY MEG NOVAK
This column is written and edited by the Young Socialists (YS), an international organization of young workers, students, and other youth fighting for socialism. For more information about the YS write to: Young Socialists, 1573 N. Milwaukee, P.O. Box #478, Chicago, Ill. 60622. Tel: (773) 772-0551. Compuserve: 105162,605

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - More than a dozen students and others came together November 19 to discuss building a revolutionary movement today. The event, sponsored by the University of Alabama-Huntsville Sociology Club, kicked off a week-long speaking tour of Young Socialists leader Jack Willey through the South, building the upcoming regional socialist conference in Birmingham. Willey condemned Washington's war moves against Iraq and explained how they are one product of the weakening imperialist system that is creating more crises like the financial turmoil racking Asia.

"At the same time Washington has its tentacles stretched all over the world - in Africa, Yugoslavia, and with the expansion of NATO into Eastern Europe - the U.S. rulers are telling the people of Iraq, `You have one choice: capitulate to our demands or we are going to bomb you,' " Willey said.

"U.S. foreign policy is nothing more than an extension of what the capitalist class carries out in this country," he explained. "But we have something to look forward to, and that's the growing resistance we see among working people who have been pushed to the wall and are saying, `We won't take this anymore.' "

Willey pointed to the examples of recent strikes, from last summer's victory of the Teamsters against UPS, to the French truckers strike that last month shut down transportation in much of that country, as well as the ongoing Steelworkers strike against Michelin tire in Indiana.

During the discussion, a young worker at the university pointed to the UPS strike as "an inspiration to other workers."

One student who visited Cuba last summer on an exchange program pointed to gains of the revolution, like housing, health care and education. "However," he stated, "there is a big leap between being disgruntled about working conditions here and making a revolution. What are some of the potential solutions here besides overturning the system?"

Willey responded, "What we face today cannot be solved within this system. There is a historic conflict between those who own all the wealth of society, the capitalists, and those who produce all the wealth - workers and farmers. This can never be resolved within a system driven by profit." He explained that the Young Socialists is a part of "the fight to overthrow this system and replace it with one based on human solidarity."

There was quite a bit of further discussion of whether or not capitalism can be reformed.

The following day Jack Willey spoke at the University of Alabama-Tuscaloosa. About half a dozen students showed up, most of them subscribers to the Militant who heard about the Young Socialists through sales of revolutionary literature on the campus.

Justin Hovey, a student who helped organize the meeting, stated, "The U.S. ruling class is looking for an excuse to start a war to help the economy. This whole system is based on panic and depression... I grew up in a farming town and I've seen many neighbors forced off their land because they could no longer pay the massive debts to the banks. The way the government exploits people, they don't really leave us a choice but to get rid of this system."

There were a range of questions and topics discussed, including: how can working farmers wage a successful fight against foreclosures; isn't it possible to follow the example of Gandhi and passive resistance to make fundamental change in society; and how do the rulers use antidrug laws to victimize working people.

After the meeting, Hovey met with YS members to discuss further activities to organize in Tuscaloosa for the Young Socialists.

The next evening, November 21, Willey spoke at a Militant Labor Forum in Birmingham on "Revolutionary Perspectives for Youth Today." Two students from Miles College came to the forum and a party afterwards. The discussion focused on the war preparations by U.S. imperialism against Iraq and how the nationalist campaigns waged against "fast track" legislation by the AFL-CIO officialdom is part of drawing working people into supporting the U.S. rulers' interests.

On Saturday, November 22, Willey spoke at a Militant Labor Forum in Atlanta where the Young Socialists raised $200 for the national fund drive.

Willey ended his tour with a forum in Gainesville, Florida, November 24 on "Growing Resistance by Workers and Youth: Prospects for Socialism Today." Fifteen students from the University of Florida and others participated in a rolling two- and-a-half-hour discussion, and several people stayed afterwards to talk for another hour.

The hot topic was Washington's war moves against Iraq. One person said he agreed that Washington goes to war to defend the bosses' interests, but isn't there something objectively positive about the U.S. attacking Iraq if it means getting rid of a dictator? Others raised similar questions and comments.

Willey explained, "The U.S. rulers are driven to war by profits and protecting their money interests. They never go to war to defend `human rights.' They want to replace Hussein with a government that is subservient to U.S. dictates. U.S. imperialism has more blood on its hands than any other ruling class around the world."

There was also discussion on Zionism and the Palestinians' fight for liberation, the rise and fall of the Nicaraguan revolution, and the Cuban revolution.

Willey said, "It's inevitable people will fight. It's inevitable this system will breed more crises. But fundamental change is required. What's required is working people and farmers taking power out of the hands of the bosses and then running society in the interests of humanity. That's socialist revolution. This requires leadership and an organization like the one I'm part of - the Young Socialists - an organization that is involved in the struggles taking place today, that studies the history of the working class, and gets the books with those lessons into the hands of fellow fighters."

Kristin Meriam contributed to this article.  
 
 
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