To put it as plainly as possible, if the proponents of the U.S. settler-colonialism theory are correct, then there is no basis whatsoever upon which to build a multinational working class communist party in this country. Indeed, such a view sees the “settler working class” as instruments of colonialism, hostile to the interests of the colonized people, rather than viewing all working and oppressed people as natural allies in the struggle against imperialism, our mutual oppressor.
A shame, a sad sad shame. For anyone that’s read settlers, or knows about the history of labor zionism, or prioritizes any kind of indigenous voice in their praxis, this is really bad. No peace for settlers! Settlers cannot lead the revolution! I hope we see an end to any respect given to this “settler colonialism is over” politic soon.
Fanon makes it clear: there’s a place for settlers, but only if they subordinate themselves to the anticolonial struggle. Their job is to be the nice white face that distracts the police, not to lead the vanguard or tell it what to do or how to think.
I still have trouble with this, even though I know better. I’m a know-it-all by nature, it’s so fucking hard to sit down and shut up when I think I know what’s best. I need to learn that lesson.
It is really hard to fight against the “main character syndrome” all of us white folk have been raised with our entire lives. Some simply cannot handle the idea that in a people’s struggle they won’t be the “main character” and will need to listen and support others, not lead them.