Editorial: On keeping up morale in dark times

By Editor-in-Chief on June 9, 2025

*^{California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers clear protestors who were blocking the 101 freeway on June 08, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Mario Tama, Getty Images)}*

Camilo Lazo | National Chair of the American Party of Labor–

It is so easy to fall into despair or nihilism now. It’s understandable. The people have suffered major setbacks and we are only human. Our hearts bleed and our tears flow, just as anyone else’s. But, in addition to offering each other the care and support that only comrades can, we all need to understand that it is just that feeling of hopelessness and worthlessness that the fascists are counting on to secure their victory. Everywhere we look we see friends and loved ones, colleagues and comrades, expressing feelings of being trampled on and beaten.

Now, more than ever, we communists need to show our mettle. Now, more than ever, we need to stand firm and say “No pasaran!”

Oh, it’s easy to play at being a communist. It’s easy to pose for selfies wearing ridiculous-looking, and unearned Soviet militaria. It’s easy to post “dank memes” with all sorts of slogans on them. And it’s always been way too easy to posture about how r-r-revolutionary one is while denouncing everyone else. But to be a true communist and stand up when everything seems to be going against us; to be a true comrade to our sisters and brothers who are feeling the blows of fascism on their bodies or in their hearts; to be a genuine servant of the people, as opposed to proclaiming oneself as such, that has never been easy. And today has become a heavy task to take on.

Yet, take it on we must. This is the moment when we stand or fall. This is the moment when we demonstrate who we are. More and more people, even people we never imagined would do so, will be looking to us for guidance and help. We must not fail them.

^{A couple with a flag embraces as a Waymo vehicle burns, as protesters clash with law enforcement in the streets surrounding the federal building during a protest following federal immigration operations in Los Angeles, on June 8, 2025. (Ringo Chiu/ AFP Via Getty Images)}

We cannot falter now. History and our duty to our cause and our class demands it. For us communists, there is a cure for the hurting spirit and the wavering resolve: The masses.

The people are, in many cases spontaneously, rising up and showing their rage at the fascist onslaught. Wherever there is a demonstration against fascism, a protest against racist or police violence, an action in defense of the oppressed and marginalized, join it! Join it and become a part of it. There is nothing like participating in a mass action to refresh one’s commitment, and to exhilarate the heart and soul. This is the key to fighting demoralization in our ranks. Join with the rising masses of the people and work to increase and deepen that anger and turn it into class-conscious militancy. Do it for the people and do it for yourself.

Our time is now. Victory to the people! We will triumph!