|
Bolsheviks? A whatttt??
My predicament is pretty complicated, I gotta say. I don't really want flimsy answers or something that's just going to reiterate what I've typed down. Solutions people, I need soluttionnnssss.
Ok. So. To start at the beginning I met this guy. I'm practically the only democrat in my school so when I met him and found out he was a democrat I was more attracted to him. So we've talked for a long time and he's been really nice, and I draw in class and he's taken an interest in my art and all that stupid sappy cheesy CRAP.
But anyway. One day he tells me he's making a Bolshevik's club at my school. I had no idea what the Bolshevik's were; I just assumed it wasn't anything bad because he wasn't a bad person and we seemed to share the same views. He showed me what he wanted, and it was a girl and a boy standing side by side and the arms closest to eachother are raised. The girl is holding a sickle and the boy is holding a hammer-thing, and they're crossing them. So I just agreed and said I'd try and get it done over the weekend.
Well I come home, and decide to do some research on these 'bolsheviks'. Sadly, I came to find they were communists. Communism is not something I believe in. It is an extremely left wing theory where all classes are to be equal. I don't think anybody can excell or live up to their full potential that way. I just don't find it fair, or right.. if we lived in a communist world what would the point of trying be?
So I was naturally appalled that I had agreed to endorse this club with my drawing. But what was I going to do? I still kind of like this guy even if he is a little extreme, but I don't want to support communism with my drawing (the drawing would be used on flyers around my school to support the club)
So, I have to have come to a solution by sunday night, at least.. help me, please?
[ ]
Want to answer more questions in the Relationships category?
Maybe give some free advice about: Friendship?
It's your opinion, you have a right to it. But it's pointless to tell him that you don't agree at all with his ideas. Sure that might be the right thing to do and one of those cheesy 'be true to yourself' sort of things, but I'm not sure how effective that will be especially since you still like the boy. Here are some options:
1) Tell him you can't. Draw a really crappy sketch that you know he won't want. Say that you had artists block, you're busy, can't concentrate, parents all sorta excuses.
2) Say you didn't know what bolsheviks were and that you'd be glad to make it up to him with something else. [ a different favor or something, bribe him ;)]
3) Draw him a "I agree to disagree" picture. Show it to him after telling him that you don't agree with communism. [don't say "I HATE COMMUNISM" or something like that, say something like "I'm not really into communism. It's not that I hate it or anything, I don't really have a strong opinion on it. It's cool that you're forming this club, but I don't think I should join till I get into it."
4) Draw it. Suck it up and just do it.
I'm not saying that you should do all of these. I'm just giving you some ideas you might try. I don't agree with some of the choices, but I'm not you and in the end, it's always your choice.
Good Luck.
]
In Marx's Concept of Man he states that communism is the highest form of government with socialism as a step to it. Pre-Engels Marx did not believe in a full-on rebellion to reach communism. He wrote a great many vague things that can be taken any number of ways by any people. Communism is actually a fascinating subject that should be discussed more beyond the perceptions the West tends to believe because of America's cold war with the USSR. Research it, would you? Then make up your mind.
as for your situation, find out what he actually believes and then decide whether or not you want to make the poster. Also, warn him that starting a communist club in a largely right-wing school is not a fantastic idea.
]
Correct me if I'm wrong, but you seem to be asking about the drawing?
Here's my input: Allow him to stand up for what he believes in, but you need to give yourself the same respect. If you allow him to use your drawing for something you don't believe in, then you aren't standing up for your own.
You can still like this guy, but no, you don't have to support Communism. If he thinks you do, then, honestly, he isn't worth your time and effort.
So, as for the drawing- I wouldn't do it. It's not your cause, and under ordinary circumstances, you wouldn't want to be a part of it in the slightest. Correct? He will just have to understand your position, and if he don't, it's like I said above, he isn't worth your time and effort. He expects you to respect his views, and he needs to give you the same respect.
Just tell him you are sorry, but at the time you agreed to do this drawing, you didn't realize it was for a club you didn't agree with.
]
The point of (true) communism is that everyone *starts* equal. Ever person born receives the exact same treatment, and the same opportunities. If people work hard they can be better off then other people, but their children will not get an inheritance, and they will have to work as hard as anyone to get the same benefits of their parents. The USSR, Cuba, and China are horrible examples of communism. A good example of modern communism, adapted to the times, and the failures of communism in the past is the ideas presented on [Link](Mouse over link to see full location) . Since your friend specifically likes the Bolsheviks, you might want to point out to him that USSR communism(which the Bolsheviks started) is very dissimilar to the original Marxist communism, which he probably wants. Furthermore, Marxist communism is very old, and would need to be changed to be used in today's world. You might also want to point out that a revolutionary group like the Bolsheviks are likely to attract negative attention. Maybe you could show him less extreme, but still anti-capitalist ideas, like the ones on [Link](Mouse over link to see full location) . I'm sure he will listen to your objections, as long as you know the facts, and not just capitalist propaganda.
]
Okay, so his beliefs of political government are a little different from yours, so what? If you really liked him, you would set that difference aside and see him for everything else. Communism is actually a pretty good idea, but when put to test, it just doesn't work. It's intended for good, but works out for the worst. I can't believe you'd let something such as this bother you. How shallow.
+Edit+
I could give the lessest fuck about ratings & whatever. I'm just here to help. =)
]
More Questions: |