I think you’re polemically correct to say that the flaw in my argument is that I attribute too little influence to Lenin over the Bolsheviks. However I stand by all of the points that I’ve made, and without having read the same books as each other, comparing notes and passages, etc., which I might be persuaded to do in good faith, I think we’ve exhausted our differences on this topic.
To be clear if I was alive in that place at that time, I probably would have been a victim of either violent repression of anarchists (I don’t identify as one but I might have at that time, like I said I’m deeply sympathetic to them,) and if not I would have definitely been purged by the late 1930s at the height of the Stalinist purges. But where I am now and from the history I’ve studied diligently for years, the discussions I’ve had, and the realities of organizing that I’ve done, I’m afraid I can’t see Lenin the way you do, and in fact I remain critical of your views on him. So yes it is hard to say, because I won’t lie to myself. At one time I saw Lenin and the Bolsheviks as you seem to think I see them: untainted by avoidable tragedy and justified in all their transgressions. But i’ve grown since then, as I hope to continue to grow; and I hope your perspective expands as well.
I think you’re polemically correct to say that the flaw in my argument is that I attribute too little influence to Lenin over the Bolsheviks. However I stand by all of the points that I’ve made, and without having read the same books as each other, comparing notes and passages, etc., which I might be persuaded to do in good faith, I think we’ve exhausted our differences on this topic.
To be clear if I was alive in that place at that time, I probably would have been a victim of either violent repression of anarchists (I don’t identify as one but I might have at that time, like I said I’m deeply sympathetic to them,) and if not I would have definitely been purged by the late 1930s at the height of the Stalinist purges. But where I am now and from the history I’ve studied diligently for years, the discussions I’ve had, and the realities of organizing that I’ve done, I’m afraid I can’t see Lenin the way you do, and in fact I remain critical of your views on him. So yes it is hard to say, because I won’t lie to myself. At one time I saw Lenin and the Bolsheviks as you seem to think I see them: untainted by avoidable tragedy and justified in all their transgressions. But i’ve grown since then, as I hope to continue to grow; and I hope your perspective expands as well.