By Ellen Glick
New York City, USA
There is much misinformation that has
persisted throughout the years regarding Stalin, both from the right and the
so-called left. Our bourgeois education in this country certainly distorts the
role of this important revolutionary.
I had the opportunity many years ago to read a biography of Stalin by Isaac Deutscher. I especially learned a great deal about his early life. For example: Stalin, unlike other revolutionaries including Lenin and Marx came from a very poor family, a family that suffered through the cruel and inhuman injustices of tsarist Russia.
Stalin was educated in a religious seminary. He was studying to become a priest. He courageously wrote articles critical of the church abuses and dogmas. He went on to become one of the founders of Iskra, a revolutionary newspaper, he even robbed banks to support its survival.
Under Stalin's leadership, the people in the former Socialist Soviet Union were able to enjoy so many economic and social benefits. Benefits in health care, education, housing and employment (full employment was guaranteed). Women played leading roles in the sciences including Engineering and Medicine. Most important was the elimination of anti-semitism and racism. It was illegal.
These important economic and social benefits were enjoyed by the people in the socialist Soviet Union for more than 60 years until the introduction of market economy (capitalism) in the 1980's.
As has been previously stated in articles, the Red Army courageously fought against fascism, the Red Army was able to defeat Hitler throughout the eastern bloc countries.
As we examine the role of Stalin, his legacy and his place in revolutionary history, let us keep these facts in mind. As we fight the cruel injustices of capitalism today including attacks on public education, the dismantling of Affirmative Action programs in our colleges, the loss of open admission at CUNY [City University of New York], the high unemployment of countless men and women of all ages, mass homelessness, hate crimes on the rise and the everyday incidents of racist murder and police brutality, let us dedicate our lives to a just and Socialist future. Let us learn from Stalin.
Onward To A Socialist Future!
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