Thursday, May 23, 2013

On "Mindless" Violence

We are sure you have heard the tale of the thief who stole a purse and then ran down the street shouting out, “Stop Thief! Stop Thief!”
Well, that is capitalism. With its hands covered in blood from doing violence and imposing terrorism around the world, capitalism runs amok shouting “Violence! Terrorism!” pointing the finger at the workers it hates most and we are all taken in.

The media does not reflect the real world. They give their own dominant version, the version of the ruling class. A version that suits them. Militarism, terrorism, racism, bigotry are headline news but do not have a firm place deep down in the minds of the majority of the people. The vast majority of the people are more altruistic, more peace loving, more egalitarian and more freedom-loving than governments and the media would like to credit.

Ending terrorism is one of the tasks of the Socialist Party. Terrorism must be eradicated by putting an end to the hardships, discrimination, exploitation and oppression that lead people to desperation and make them fall prey to reactionary ideas and inhuman organisations. There are important economic, social and political problems behind such an event as we witnessed in Woolwich that have pushed people into this direction. These problems and issues must be addressed by exposing religion and racism and nationalism. Our response to terrorism is to continue to fight for the creation of socialism, an open, free and equal society in which people, their lives, dignity and well-being are fully valued. Until then, this sad state of affairs will carry on relentlessly and regardless of our wishes and hopes.

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