Performing Communism

[@issameiamario]

LIVE, LARP, LENIN

[@LadyIzdihar]

New hobby lobby wall decor just dropped 🤣

[@craigmusa2254]

Alhamdullah

[@TempoTronica]

I want this on a t-shirt

[@Anton43218]

Lmfao 😂😂😂

[@gertoise]

die, work, dispair you mean.

[@Mercymorn99]

Lenin famously said “go out and teach the masses unless they belong to a different LARP group than us.”

[@LadyIzdihar]

🤣

[@NotesNNotes]

@@novinceinhosic3531 have you looked at literacy rates? Substantial amounts of adults in my country are considered illiterate… Nearly 20% of adults in the United States are illiterate. And they somehow manage arrogance on top of that. 😅

[@LUKE-qx1ii]

​@@novinceinhosic3531 Your are clearly not a Marxist and it shows cause you dont have a systematic analysis as to why people are arrogant, its not cause they are literate it's cause capitalism has showed immense amounts of propaganda down our throats to the point even questioning the status quo is not allowed its takes a lot of deprogramming to dismantle the propaganda

[@LUKE-qx1ii]

@novinceinhosic3531 The reason that "technological issue" exists is be because of capitalism, and almost all echo chambers that exist are ones that reinforce the status quo, and almost any perspective outside the box is shut down immediately. And why on earth would people who are in power want ideas that threatening their legitamacy? Just asking why on earth would idk any of the social media platforms that meta owns want rhetoric that questions the existence of meta as a whole? Because that sounds like one of the worst business moves. The reason they think they know everything is because they are not able to see the other perspectives because it is against the status quo. And the "you dont take into account why people are susceptible to capitalist propaganda" is so stupid, like ever consider the fact that idk that capitalist propaganda is the only one thats given? Again why on earth would capitalists who have control over all media platforms, mainstream news outlets, etc, whose entire existance comes from the exploitation of workers and ownership of private property want to push perspectives that are against their own self interests?

[@wiwlarue4097]

I have talked to older people who were born and been brought up in the eastern bloc where real communism ripped and broke lives. They told me they were shocked to hear what people said when they finally got to personally speak to "communists" from western democracies. They said "it must have certainly been a fashionable thing in the west to call themselves communists without living the harsh reality of communism in the east with persecutions, suppression, penalties, imprisonments and executions in a stumbling economy that only had the same poverty to offer for the masses and all the riches to the high command". Moreover they added "it makes one suspicious when a child of a western attorney who studied at different european universities an industrial magnet and his posse and alike are advocating for equality and confiscation of wealth". Communism had used serious violence to take over and secure it's position in all the lands they entered and if anyone knew who manufactured it and what for they would have realized communism wasn't made to be a working solution; it has rather been made to exploit and ruin and rule with an iron rod.

[@skotoferma]

You do it good. As guy born and living in Russia since 1988 and been rise on soviet movies and western movies at the same time - It’s nice to see that on the Internet there are people who were not born in the USSR but understand that Soviet culture is not a drunk man with earflaps, but the way of life of people who wanted to build a new, better society and at the same time preserve the multinational culture of all the peoples living on the territory of the country. Good job, comrade!

[@LadyIzdihar]

Thank you for this comment! I'm very grateful to have many loved ones from former USSR who also share the same sentiment. Emphasizing the desire for a better society and uplifting cultures, it's rarely spoken about in English, yet something we can all be inspired by in that history!

[@yaelz6043]

Optimist.

[@abesphere]

sidenote, your profile picture is amazing

[@1984isnotamanual]

How did that new better life work out?

[@MKatss]

​@@1984isnotamanual You could say that about democracy in ancient Athens. Just becouse it doesn't work the first time doesn't mean it can't work all together.

[@seneketh]

Saying "This is not the way of Marx and Engels or Lenin" is incredibly dogmatic. It is our responsibility to understand their messages, but also to interpret them and carry them into the current century. Being able to recite Marx by memory is useless if no critical thought is applied to the content. The same goes with past socialist experiments. Be pragmatic, not dogmatic. The ruling class has evolved, so must we. Love your content @LadyIzdihar . You make history come to life, the best way to learn and appreciate it!

[@mustardorb8867]

Well said!!!!

[@ФедотБутерброт]

Your words are empty, because the ideas of Marx, Engels and Lenin do not need to be revised at the moment. The reason is that we are still in the same socio-economic relations at the same stage of capitalism - imperialism. Only the level of development of the means of production has changed, deepening the contradictions between it and the relations of production. To carry out theory revision unnecessarily is to go against ideology and revolution. Based on the revolutionary theory of Marxism-Leninism, the tasks of communists now are to create literary clubs, trade unions and information resources. All this should be done centrally and in an organized manner, so as to achieve at least a stable proto-party with a single ideological basis. It is important to adhere to Lenin's principles of party building. And we cannot do without the party - it will act as a subjective factor in the revolution.

[@KrasMazovHatesYourGuts]

@@ФедотБутерброт Good job just proving their point.

[@NotesNNotes]

@@ФедотБутерброт I feel like you intentionally misinterpreted what they said as revisionism… it’s not useful.

[@saturationstation1446]

i PROMISE you, anyone demanding we worship the words of men who's brains couldnt comprehend modern technology, are NOT leftists and are trying to cause instability within leftist movement. there is only one single reason why anyone would even care about marx, and thats to cement europeans above everyone else. thats what people tend to call "hw!te supremacy" these days. i call it eurocentric loyalism

[@DinoCism]

I don't see a problem with the outfits. What is a more pressing issue is the problem of people only being active online and not being active in organizations. That's not a problem with content creators though, that's just a problem with our extremely online and often anti-social generation. People expect there to be a ready made party in their country with large membership and no problems or disagreements within it, rather than accepting that it's their job to build it because no one else will.

[@Lindsay-Makes-Videos]

4:24 It kind of slapped me across the face (in a good way) how rare it is to see social/political youtubers actually encourage us to contribute content to the conversation this directly. Like abstractly we support new creators, but the competitive brainwashing that sees other creators as competition can run pretty deep.

[@comradethatmetalguy]

Expecting us all to fit a specific mold of "how to be a true communist" is stupid. There are a multiplicity of ways we can all help bring knowledge to others that are not limited to talking about Lenin's arguments that demonstrate Bognadov's revisionism. There is plenty of space and forms of expression for everyone. Marx was precisely talking about how in communism the creative potential of people would be liberated. Why shouldn't we embrace the ideals we aspire to for our communist society? Salud Comrade, always be unapologetically you ✊🏼

[@LadyIzdihar]

I need to read more on what Marx said about creativity, as you mention here. I think that's something definitely lacking in our minds when thinking all of this over!

[@comradethatmetalguy]

@LadyIzdihar If I remember correctly he talks about this in: On the Jewish Question and Economics and Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844, and a scattered on basically all his work, 😅 the guy like to write.

[@LadyIzdihar]

Thanks! I'll find it!

[@ФедотБутерброт]

Communists now need to organize (literature clubs, trade unions, proto-parties), and not deal with different things separately. Without organizing, one cannot create a party, and without the party there will be no subjective factor of revolution.

[@Trench216]

@@LadyIzdihar You should really read what Marx had to say about religion lol if you think Communism and Islam are compatible then you're the one who is larping. Although admittedly Mao was more specific about it and what he did about it.

[@jackoflava]

If being a good communist means being in a party, organizing, recruiting and paying dues then I'm a bad communist. I'm a worker under capitalism who's engaging in a Marxist political education. I wear my budenovka to protests sometimes so I guess I'm a cosplayer too. So f'ing what, I love the way it looks on me. Thanks for addressing this subject, I think its important just now.

[@LadyIzdihar]

Protest Budenovka is amazing 😍✨

[@ФедотБутерброт]

A communist should do his job, not paint himself as red as possible. And the work of a communist at the moment is the awakening of class consciousness and organization. It's good that you learning theory, but that's not enough for the movement to succeed. The theory must be implemented, and this is not expressed in empty protests, actions and outfits.

[@ninyaninjabrifsanovichthes45]

I like wearing an Ushanka in the winter and waving my little East German and Czechoslovak flags

[@clarencejones4717]

I may be ignorant, but isn’t the entire point all of the things that you listed not doing? This isn’t an attack, but wearing certain articles or clothing and learning about something Doesn’t seem like it will bring about systemic change, which is the aim. Am I wrong about that?

[@hugejackedman7423]

You look exactly what I'd expect

[@em9341]

I agree that socialists can and should have fun. The whole point of any socialist project is to liberate people so that they can have fun, be human, and live a good life. It speaks to a level of immaturity and ignorance for those who think otherwise. Castro was animated, and known for humor. Stalin’s writings ooze care and respect for the human soul. Ironically, people who imagine socialists to be dower intellectuals clearly have not read theory.

[@uhlexseeuh]

bruh that makes no sense, what is socialism? how can you have fun? who will be working when having fun is always an option? why should I work when your work and profit will come to me anyways?

[@Suo_kongque]

@@uhlexseeuhSpoken like someone who has never experienced the fulfillment of volunteer work to serve a community.

[@Dorian_sapiens]

@@uhlexseeuh _"why should I work when your work and profit will come to me anyways?"_ You're literally describing the perspective of a capitalist under capitalism.

[@uhlexseeuh]

@Suo_kongque no i volunteer regularly, whether you choose to believe me or not is up to you. I help people who are down on their luck, who want to do better and better themselves. But you must understand people abuse the system, and are content without pitching in. Why should they benefit when they don't care to help others? I don't like my hard work meant for the downtrodden to be abused by some kid who lives in his mom's basement and does nothing to help himself.

[@uhlexseeuh]

@@Dorian_sapiens I think you're misunderstanding true capitalism; capitalism is a tit for tat economy, i have x, you have y, let's trade x for y and we're both happy. What we have now is not capitalism, but crony capitalism. And my comment was describing a side effect of socialist ideology, let me explain with an example: My neighborhood is working to produce a crop, and our reward is the produce it grows to be divided amongst ourselves. But Neighbor A decides he doesn't want to work today, or the next, eventually thinking "well either way I'll be able to eat the produce so they won't care." But Neighbor B sees that, and decides to do that too, because "why should I work when I'll benefit either way" And eventually the whole neighborhood believes this and the crop dies without care. That is all to say; many people are inherently selfish, greedy, and rarely do they want to do something without some net return. If you could respond to this and help me understand and how this would be circumvented from a socialist point of view I'd appreciate it. :)

[@superbeltman6197]

Amazing criticisms, what you’ve discussed here is an issue I have actually struggled with to some extent and will keep your words in mind in my further action.

[@CollieCam]

Commie Drip always goes hard AF

[@Jamhael1]

I can see, in a modern Communist country, cooperatives doing luxury items - imagine cooperatives doing haute couture, high performance cars, independent and high performance personal computer programing and building, high quality AAA games, elegant art, exquisite jewelry, and more, JUST TO RUB IN THE FACE OF THE CAPITALISTS! "Oh, you Caps have YSL, and Gucci? We have OUR OWN VERSION of it, and OUR DRIP is better than yours! We can be MORE GANGSTA than you!"

[@pilarcouto4326]

Girl, I need a house tour. Please, I desperately need to see in close details those soviet flags on your bookshelf and I need a vanity tour, your vanity is so pretty it gave me goosebumps. Everything your house is pretty.

[@LadyIzdihar]

Maybe one day! It's a small 1 bedroom apartment from the 1920s you've almost seen it all minus the kitchen & bathroom

[@moderndaydreammm]

I second this!!!

[@ongren1575]

They hate to see a woman comrade winning. Keep doing the great work that you do!

[@bradnorthcote1301]

Amazing video, as usual! If you haven't seen it, I *highly* recommend checking out the 1975 Chinese film "Breaking With Old Ideas". It explores exactly the concerns you shared around the need for performative theory. In one scene, a teacher in drab, grey clothing being questioned by students about why their lessons aren't more practical says, "The harder it is to understand, the profounder the knowledge!" We see peasant students grappling with this mentality and what it means throughout the film.

[@thea78999]

I think one problem is that when we read the works of communists, we tend to only see them through the lense of the theory they wrote. Therefore most human qualities get phased out, as they can't pass this metaphorical lense and what is left behind is the image of a theorist, not a human. But being a communist is not being an idea (the idea of being a theorist or a revolutionary), but to be a human with many different qualities. And after all, isn't our multifacisted experience as humans and our diversity something to be joyfull about. Even if what we experience right now is bleak, we should look towards giving it more colour and if we seem reduced to single qualities - like our labour power - then we shouldn't give into this alienation, but make an effort to break free from it. (Btw. I'm writing this as someone diagnosed with depression, so don't accuse me of being overly optimistic of everything.)

[@LadyIzdihar]

I love how you put this! The theory written, was written by a human being! One with a life, surrounding conditions and a culture! It's important to visualize and feel that!

[@Nakam0145]

Sholem Aleichem, from a Jewish Bundist to a Muslim communist. You're doing a wonderful job raising revolutionary awareness

[@ladylongsleeves3175]

Brider und schwester, lomir gehn zusammen!

[@despa7726]

My friend have you read Comrade Stalin's essay "Marxism and the National Question"? I think it presents solid arguments against Bundism. What do you think? Here are some quotes: "We said above that Bauer, while granting the necessity of national autonomy for the Czechs, Poles, and so on, nevertheless opposes similar autonomy for the Jews. In answer to the question, "Should the working class demand autonomy for the Jewish people?" Bauer says that "national autonomy cannot be demanded by the Jewish workers." According to Bauer, the reason is that "capitalist society makes it impossible for them (the Jews - J. St.) to continue as a nation." In brief, the Jewish nation is coming to an end, and hence there is nobody to demand national autonomy for. The Jews are being assimilated. This view of the fate of the Jews as a nation is not a new one. It was expressed by Marx as early as the 'forties, in reference chiefly to the German Jews. It was repeated by Kautsky in 1903, in reference to the Russian Jews. It is now being repeated by Bauer in reference to the Austrian Jews, with the difference, however, that he denies not the present but the future of the Jewish nation. Bauer explains the impossibility of preserving the existence of the Jews as a nation by the fact that "the Jews have no closed territory of settlement." This explanation, in the main a correct one, does not however express the whole truth. The fact of the matter is primarily that among the Jews there is no large and stable stratum connected with the land, which would naturally rivet the nation together, serving not only as its framework but also as a "national" market. Of the five or six million Russian Jews, only three to four per cent are connected with agriculture in any way. The remaining ninety-six per cent are employed in trade, industry, in urban institutions, and in general are town dwellers; moreover, they are spread all over Russia and do not constitute a majority in a single gubernia. Thus, interspersed as national minorities in areas inhabited by other nationalities, the Jews as a rule serve "foreign" nations as manufacturers and traders and as members of the liberal professions, naturally adapting themselves to the "foreign nations" in respect to language and so forth. All this, taken together with the increasing re-shuffling of nationalities characteristic of developed forms of capitalism, leads to the assimilation of the Jews. The abolition of the "Pale of Settlement" would only serve to hasten this process of assimilation. The question of national autonomy for the Russian Jews consequently assumes a somewhat curious character: autonomy is being proposed for a nation whose future is denied and whose existence has still to be proved! Nevertheless, this was the curious and shaky position taken up by the Bund when at its Sixth Congress (1905) it adopted a "national programme" on the fines of national autonomy." "And so, impotent in the present and superfluous in the future - such are the institutions of cultural-national autonomy (he is speaking here of the institutions meant to "guarantee" the Jews of the Russian empire the preservation of their culture), and such is national autonomy. But it becomes still more harmful when it is thrust upon a "nation" whose existence and future are open to doubt. In such cases the advocates of national autonomy are obliged to protect and preserve all the peculiar features of the "nation," the bad as well as the good, just for the sake of "saving the nation" from assimilation, just for the sake of "preserving" it. That the Bund should take this dangerous path was inevitable. And it did take it. We are referring to the resolutions of recent conferences of the Bund on the question of the "Sabbath," "Yiddish," etc. Social-Democracy strives to secure for all nations the right to use their own language. But that does not satisfy the Bund; it demands that "the rights of the Jewish language" (our italics - J. St.) be championed with "exceptional persistence," and the Bund itself in the elections to the Fourth Duma declared that it would give "preference to those of them (i.e., electors) who undertake to defend the rights of the Jewish language." Not the general right of all nations to use their own language, but the particular right of the Jewish language, Yiddish! Let the workers of the various nationalities fight primarily for their own language: the Jews for Jewish, the Georgians for Georgian, and so forth. The struggle for the general right of all nations is a secondary matter. You do not have to recognize the right of all oppressed nationalities to use their own language; but if you have recognized the right of Yiddish, know that the Bund will vote for you, the Bund will "prefer" you. But in what way then does the Bund differ from the bourgeois nationalists?" "(...) The Bund demands that Russian Social-Democracy should "in its organizational structure introduce demarcation according to nationalities." From "demarcation" it made a "step forward" to the theory of "segregation." It is not for nothing that speeches were made at the Eighth Conference of the Bund declaring that "national existence lies in segregation." Organizational federalism harbours the elements of disintegration and separatism. The Bund is heading for separatism. And, indeed, there is nothing else it can head for. Its very existence as an extra-territorial organization drives it to separatism. The Bund does not possess a definite integral territory; it operates on "foreign" territories, whereas the neighbouring Polish, Lettish and Russian Social-Democracies are international territorial collective bodies. But the result is that every extension of these collective bodies means a "loss" to the Bund and a restriction of its field of action. There are two alternatives: either Russian Social-Democracy as a whole must be reconstructed on the basis of national federalism - which will enable the Bund to "secure" the Jewish proletariat for itself; or the territorial-international principle of these collective bodies remains in force - in which case the Bund must be reconstructed on the basis of internationalism, as is the case with the Polish and Lettish Social-Democracies." "In a controversy with the old Iskra on the question of federalism, the Bund once wrote: "Iskra wants to assure us that federal relations between the Bund and Russian Social-Democracy are bound to weaken the ties between them. We cannot refute this opinion by referring to practice in Russia, for the simple reason that Russian Social-Democracy does not exist as a federal body. But we can refer to the extremely instructive experience of Social-Democracy in Austria, which assumed a federal character by virtue of the decision of the Party Congress of 1897." That was written in 1902. But we are now in the year 1913. We now have both Russian "practice" and the "experience of Social-Democracy in Austria." What do they tell us? Let us begin with "the extremely instructive experience of Social-Democracy in Austria." Up to 1896 there was a united Social-Democratic Party in Austria. In that year the Czechs at the International Congress in London for the first time demanded separate representation, and were given it. In 1897, at the Vienna (Wimberg) Party Congress, the united party was formally Liquidated and in its place a federal league of six national "Social-Democratic groups" was set up. Subsequently these "groups" were converted into independent parties, which gradually severed contact with one another. Following the parties, the parliamentary group broke up - national "clubs" were formed. Next came the trade unions, which also split according to nationalities. Even the co-operative societies were affected, the Czech separatists calling upon the workers to split them up. We will not dwell on the fact that separatist agitation weakens the workers' sense of solidarity and frequently drives them to strike-breaking. Thus "the extremely instructive experience of Social-Democracy in Austria" speaks against the Bund and for the old Iskra. Federalism in the Austrian party has led to the most outrageous separatism, to the destruction of the unity of the labour movement. We have seen above that "practical experience in Russia" also bears this out. Like the Czech separatists, the Bundist separatists have broken with the general Russian Social-Democratic Party. As for the trade unions, the Bundist trade unions, from the outset they were organized on national lines, that is to say, they were cut off from the workers of other nationalities. Complete segregation and complete rupture - that is what is revealed by the "Russian practical experience" of federalism. It is not surprising that the effect of this state of affairs upon the workers is to weaken their sense of solidarity and to demoralize them; and the latter process is also penetrating the Bund. We are referring to the increasing collisions between Jewish and Polish workers in connection with unemployment."

[@emilianosintarias7337]

how can one be a muslim communist? wouldn't it have to be a very esoteric, mystical kind of islam, that would alienate one from almost every other muslim?

[@טלאוחנה-ר6ד]

@@despa7726 yeah well what if stalin would say "i think you guys should jump off the roof with a cape.."?

[@despa7726]

@@טלאוחנה-ר6דOn what basis do you think I am dogmatic? I agree with Stalin because he was right not because he was Stalin.

[@GSDKXV]

I became a communist because I was half-watching/half-listening to the HBO series “Succession” in my sleeper (semi truck) and Pete Seeger’s “Which Side Are You On?” was playing and it sent me down the rabbit hole. Found Utah Phillips and Faith Petric, and Joe Hill and Robeson etc etc

[@someotherandomman]

Love your story comrade. Thanks for sharing.

[@lochnessmunster1189]

Which Communist country would you like to emulate?

[@dubdq3844]

@@lochnessmunster1189 Well if he is at any rate a communist worth his salt, emulating communist countries is not the goal. The video partly contains reasons why, also what worked in the USSR will not work in India or Indonesia. The first thing is to understand the class relation and to study the region, like how DD Kosambi, Lenin, Mao, Ho Chi Minh and others did for their regions. See the university of the toiling east, it produced many great people. Then you need a method of praxis, after which we must built socialism, through contradiction just as capitalism but different contradictions like the ones between Mental and Physical Labour and City and Country. There may be other contradictions as well but these are the main ones after synthesis of the contradiction of the older forces such as Wage Labour and Capital and Wage Labour and Feudalism or Colonialism. Read Marx’s Critique of the Gotha Program for a more clear and complete view.

[@lochnessmunster1189]

@@dubdq3844 This is true, but in order to be a Communist, there needs to have been previously encouraging results. But there haven't been- it always ends in a one-party State, in which people's freedoms to speak and travel are restricted. As for "the class relation"- there are no clearly-defined classes, at all- even in Marx's day.

[@dubdq3844]

@lochnessmaster1189 Well firstly socialism has never been allowed a natural development just look at all the stuff the Americans did alone, but to say there have NEVER been positive results is stWell firstly socialism has never been allowed a natural development just look at all the stuff the Americans did alone, but to say there have NEVER been positive results is stretching it. Capitalism has never worked, it has only made a few rich at the cost of others, it’s a mechanism of plunder. Now, Socialism has provided healthcare, look at the work of the Zhenotdel in USSR in Central Asia the education rate goes from nearly 0% to almost 99% in 3 decades, look at China and the level of development. You can’t compare them to America or Europe or the global north whose wealth is a result of imperialism and plunder. Socialism has worked, it build houses in Eastern Europe, it fed starving people in Andhra Pradesh, it organised trade union in Kolar, it freed the Wretched of the Earth, but it was overthrown because of its own internal problems and heavy external meddling. As for freedom of speech and “oh no one party state”BS, goddamn look at your own countries the choice is between one bourgeois party and another, running for election requires a fuck ton of money. What kind of freedom of speech? have you look at the Chinese, Soviet, or Cuban method of governance? By god they are more participatory. Now classes, they are VERY clearly defined. Also What came after socialism in so many of these countries or what came to crush socialism was FAR worse. These countries were nuanced, just because in so many of today’s countries there are so many problem we wouldn’t say burn them all, we need to observe some things were good, some things were bad.

[@commenterthe3rd]

the important thing is that she makes good content and represents the ideology well and she does that very well also living history is really cool

[@chelsearenee838]

I think a lot of your criticism is rooted in misogyny. Which is why you are seen as unserious. Evn if what you are talking about is very deep.

[@LadyIzdihar]

It's frustrating because I don't want to use that as a crutch, I also don't want to believe it. But I often think about how if I was a man doing the same thing I believe others would find it a lot more cool 😭

[@rsavage-r2v]

​@@LadyIzdiharI also think this is largely misogyny. It's like how certain insecure men become angry and aggressive when the social media personality who is more competent, knowledgeable and respected than they themselves are, also happens to be a woman they find to be very good-looking. Except instead of Fortnite, they have chosen to create a consumer identity around "Playing Communism", which I think might make it all even sadder.

[@vaporeonice3146]

⁠@@LadyIzdiharI’m new to this channel, but I’d put down a lot of money that misogyny is absolutely a huge part of it, and I’d throw in more that White supremacy and militant atheism also play a major role. A lot of folks on the internet don’t want a global movement, they want a space where they feel the way they think and make sense of the world is embraced uncritically. Any deviation from the image they’ve come to expect (that is, the mirror image of themselves) leads to harsh condemnation. Keep being you; I thought this was fabulous, and I look forward to checking out more of your videos. Sincerely, a White person

[@hugejackedman7423]

@@rsavage-r2v She's not going to let you hit bro calm down

[@rsavage-r2v]

@@hugejackedman7423 And we even get the same accusations of "simping". See what I mean?

[@marygreenapple]

I love fashion history. Not for aesthetics (though of course, some historical fashion of course will please my aesthetic sensibilities), but because the garments that survive are testaments to the people who made them. I couldn't care less about the rich people that wore them. We might not know the names of the workers that made these garments but their works survive and their craftsmanship, talent and, in my personal opinion at least some of their personality are visible in every seam. It is of course immensely important to also document what the common people were wearing, this is more a description of how I approach this. And, relatedly, a lot of amazing craftsmanship was actually lost. Pre-industrial revolution weaving was on another level. They could actually make fabrics that wouldn't fray. We simply can not replicate this, with all of our advanced technology. Edit: If this makes me a bad communist, then I'll glady be the qorst communist in the world, because I think the unnamed workers deserve to be remembered.

[@thesentienttoadstool9369]

Unnamed disenfranchised women: the very definition of the subaltern

[@despa7726]

You should look into Lunacharsky's works on the Marxist theory of art.

[@TheRisenPeopleEire]

Glad I came across your channel solidarity from Ireland comrade !!! Here is a comment from a working class hero and speaks to this topic "Everyone, Republican or otherwise has their own particular part to play. No part is too great or too small, no one is too old or too young to do something" -Bobby Sands He said these words envisaging a Unified 32 County Socialist Republic but he was also speaking towards the wider goals of Socialist, Communist movements in the context of the global power plays, and the fledgling movements of the working class starting to gain foothold at the time across the globe.

[@lochnessmunster1189]

You described yourself as "working class"- does this mean anyone who works?

[@TheRisenPeopleEire]

@@lochnessmunster1189 No. A billionaire oligarch could claim to be that when that's quite factually incorrect on the basis he worked? He is not of the working class. But he may very well work.

[@lochnessmunster1189]

@@TheRisenPeopleEire Do you think that a billionaire cannot possibly have done any work at all, starting from the very bottom?

[@TheRisenPeopleEire]

@@lochnessmunster1189 The rare exception not the norm.

[@lochnessmunster1189]

@@TheRisenPeopleEire Well, probably not as rare as you'd think. 'Working class' is an extremely vague and loose term. For instance, can a person who's spent their life on welfare, be 'working class'?

[@De_Spoekenkyker]

I rarely if ever comment on videos, but I just want to thank you for the content you make and leading with empathy! The world needs more voices like yours! You did a great job articulating thoughts that I've personally been struggling to verbalize. I particularly liked the analogy of the child creating a version of their fathers job in their head, due to lacking context/understanding of the complex reality of the situation

[@captain-chair]

As a neurodivergent fella, I genuinely think that there is an ableist root to the ideal of what a communist "should" look like or do. Not everyone has the same skillsets or capcity, and well... something I am absolutely passionate about is hybridising my passions! The passion for understading my neurology and understanding how that relates to class struggle! And its quite nice because its mostly new territory and fun and exciting. Sure my ideas aren't purely original, but the way I formulate and articulate it is, and I hope to give heart to it all. I am not actively working on a video project but I have for a long time wanted to make a video on how a liberal views fuedal society, and how this can help teach liberals how we view capitalist society. How? Using video games which are obsessed with historical authenticity! Using video games as agitprop? How bourgeois of me! Clearly I am lazy unemployed commie! Case of misnomr idenity, my lack of employment is a byproduct of disability in an unaccomidating world, and well while I will seek to get a job soon, its not a requirement for me to make content to engage similarly young neurodivergent or yougner leftists. It doesn't mean I am incapable of understanding or analyising society. The neurodivergent perspective is one of coming to terms with not fitting the perfectionist mold we have internalised inspired by the inhuman whims of highly productivist capitalist society. Fighting alienation is a daily exercise and well, young underemployed neurodivergents are far more vulnerable to being captured by reactionaries. I truely seek to do the community a favour by being a positive reovlutionary optimist voice! I think cognitive accessability is more than just a tiny subfield, if I can devise a way to make theory accessable to fellow Autistic ADHDers with fried attention spans... alienated as frick neurotypicals can also consume such information in such an accessable way! KZbin channels like this do so much already but I think my specific clique still remains underrepresented for reasons which make total sense considering our material conditions. Also to clarify, there are certainly neurodivergent creators here and there, but I wanna get my own flavour out there! :D

[@RyanHillier]

I really appreciate everything you said here, particularly the bit about being openly passionate and how we should step into that as society around us becomes more sanitized and withdrawn. As to the general thrust of the video, in my opinion too many Western leftists fall victim to dogmatic Marxism, instead of engaging in creative practice. There is a sense from the criticisms you discussed that those people feel we have already arrived at the destination, and are acting in some kind of protective capacity, when in fact we are still in the very early stages of building socialism and require mass engagement through all possible means. It's a lack of awareness and I would argue that it is those who would accuse you of being performative that are guilty of that themselves! Keep doing what you are doing, it is much appreciated by your fellow comrades.

[@oneiione]

This vid started playing after something else I was watching and I’m so glad to have found your channel :) I was happily surprised that you talked about Kollontai and even take fashion inspo from her, I remember discovering her a couple years ago and I would try talking to other communists about her and was often brushed off and met with disinterest. And I remember the way I found her was by trying to find people who wrote about love, women, and communism, subjects a lot of ppl would scoff at to be honest. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, it’s very encouraging ❤

[@laceling]

I’m currently doing art therapy research about the use of collage as a means of processing and expressing emotions around politics and attending protest (tearing apart, reorganising, constructing, creating layers of meaning) and this video reassured me that I am doing worthwhile work. Thank you for touching on the human and emotional side of communism

[@laceling]

Also, you’re right, beautiful clothes do not in any way diminish your message. They’re just jealous because they can’t put an outfit together

[@LostSky866]

As a commie basically making a party from scratch, I kind of want to start a diary on how we do stuff and put it online.

[@nightgaunts1810]

I strongly, strongly agree with that impulse! People need material that can demystify what "get organized!" actually looks like. My only question is why not make it about joining a party that already exists? There's so much to learn from more seasoned comrades, from experience with how an established organization works in practice, from having already established coalitions and connections, and not having to struggle through the common mistakes of starting a party from scratch. I suppose there's also a question of whether our class will actually benefit from another out of hundreds of factionalistic orgs. Personally I think one big party is what we need! Good luck in any event!

[@LostSky866]

@@nightgaunts1810 that stuff don't exist where I live.

[@lochnessmunster1189]

@@nightgaunts1810 What about examining the criticism of Marxism?

[@nightgaunts1810]

@@lochnessmunster1189 I read criticism of Marxism all the time, but 99% of it doesn’t actually engage with Marxism, and rather criticizes a common trope, straw man, or mischaracterization of Marxism instead. The best critiques of Marxism that I have seen actually come from Marxists. Neoclassical, liberal and neoliberal criticisms of Marxism are a complete joke.

[@lochnessmunster1189]

@@nightgaunts1810 Well, let's look at the LTV. Would you say it is entirely correct?

[@gabrielperez4961]

Your videos , I would say are excellent. The "frivolity" read fun involved, is part of the enjoyment of watching your channel. As for the content, it is practical, with no hint of dumbing down. I love the background:- badges, posters, flags, etc. showing the battles of the day and of the present. Thanks for all your work.

[@craigmusa2254]

Salam sister! So happy i found a new socialist/ communist creator and also a Muslim. I recently had a discourse with someone who thought Islam & socialism couldn't exist even though most of Islamic or quranic beliefs are inherently socialist.

[@lochnessmunster1189]

Which Socialist country would you like to emulate?

[@thepostapocalyptictrio4762]

Religion is the opiate of the masses.

[@demiurgentcare]

Damn comrade, thanks for that, I didn't know how much I needed to hear that. I'm just a regular guy with some beliefs that I think are important and when I bring them up with people, often they are pleasantly surprised. Because they think every communist is the same tedious guy from college who cornered them at a party in and talked for hours about post-revolutionary bolshevism or something. And those guys are important, too. But we need people like you, and I really resonated with your joy and willingness to patiently explain what you do and why you do it.

[@orangefoxxd6120]

What's post-revolutionary bolshevism?

[@ZaharaFunk-mw8tt]

I found your channel yesterday and have been watching a ton of your content. As an American who grew up under the crushing oppression of poverty while surrounded by the opioid epidemic (thanks capitalism) learning about Soviet history and daily life has always been an interest of mine. And you are such a great presenter! I’ll definitely be a long time subscriber.

[@Melonlordrinrei]

She doesn't necessarily do communist history, but when you mentioned the everyday life in history, I could not help but reflect on Ruth Goodman who's very much into domestic history and the lives of everyday people, living those times. There's a few episodes of various times in the UK she's 'lived' through which I always found fascinating. A Tudor farmer vs an Edwardian one vs one in WW2. Putting the human into human history is so important to understanding it

[@timkbirchico8542]

I like your vids. I can read Marx et al on the internet, which I do. Your contribution to socialism is positive, thanks comrade.

[@Darwinator1859]

I quite love your channel. There are many marxist theory Channels and also many channels dealing with marxist history. But your channel has this special niche, where you talk about "ordinary Things" in socialist countries. And showing how the poeple in the soviet Union lived, loved and eat or which hobbies they had is very unique. You show that people in socialism are people doing ordinary stuff which helps more to fight against prejucides against socialism than a talk about "das Kapital". Thank you for that

[@Darwinator1859]

And it helps to educate the ordinary masses. I think you can reach better the youth with communism when you talk about foos, clothes, musics, sports etc.

[@craigmusa2254]

I wear my Keffeyah as a socialist symbol

[@SocialistCthulhu444]

Thank you for taking a stance against the pointless infighting and sectarian hatred which plagues our current movements. It’s such an impediment to our current ability to create and maintain a genuinely revolutionary movement

[@kamratqp1823]

I just also love history and your channel actually depicting an honest view of the Soviet Union is very relaxing. Content not being anti communist is so rare honestly😫. You bring “anti anti communism” to the next level. Thank you ❤❤❤❤

[@nanothrill7171]

whenever somebody trots out 'revisionism' it feels like a giant red flag (no pun intended), it is so often weaponized against people that are personally disliked, marginalized, or to create a really strict in-out group division which smacks of cultism.

[@LadyIzdihar]

Ironically I'm actually working on a script to discuss what is actually meant by "revisionism" using Mao's examples and Lenin's clay footed Colossus analogy. I think it's good to understand what is meant historically by the word, but certainly not to weaponize it against anyone you don't like 😭

[@Dorian_sapiens]

I am similarly suspicious of that term. A friend of mine likes to say, "Anti-revisionism is the highest stage of revisionism", and I find that saying to be quite apt. (So, I'm very interested in seeing Lady Izdihar's future video on the subject. I'm not familiar with Lenin's analogy or Mao's examples, so it will definitely be a learning experience.)

[@SinicaBalkan]

Whimsy and joy, living history and the way you go about humanizing the Communist era is something really unique and great. I started this channel in part to share the culture of the Hungary (and the Balkans generally) - in part because as you mention the English dehumanization is so common.

[@aenimaGift]

This is amazing, I love the concept of revolutionary empathy. That's like... what drives me too.

[@chrishanneman1298]

I just came across this channel today. Izdihar, I want to thank you so much for your content. It's greatly appreciated. As a leftist, the task of keeping up with ideology, reading, analyzing, and separating this from that in regards to oneself can be a daunting task. But, you don't preach, you don't beat us over the head. Instead, you truly make learning fun! You present a topic of the Soviet era, and you elaborate with your home decorations, your time period garb. And its truly a breath of fresh air. Again, comrade, I salute you for your hard work and dedication.

[@LadyIzdihar]

💖💖💖

[@SlumCut6661]

Unironically calling others “comrade” is pretty cringe. And ignorant of its actual roots.

[@DefinitelySpirit]

As an anarchist, i think i end up consuming more marxist media than anarchist (because most actual anarchist creators i see are very boring and longwinded and stuff and i have adhd.)

[@sergejbozinovic6096]

Great video. And very fun outfits! The presentation makes the video so much more captivating and immersive. I agree with your point of people trying to present themselves as too serious. And this is not just an issue in leftist spaces, as you pointed out. It's a shame that some feel pressured to sacrifice personal joy at the fear of ridicule. Life has tought me to always try to match the passion of the other person and not mock their "immaturity". The first time someone responded with curiousity to my niche "unserious" interest was genuinely surprising and comforting. Ain't no alternative to true genuine human connection. Life is short, have fun

[@LadyIzdihar]

Thank you for the comment! Yes exactly much of this extends into being relevant elsewhere. So much of it comes from this strange desire to appear "palatable" or "serious" and we don't question enough why we feel that pressure, who that performance serves and for what?! It's so sad to me that people feel they can't have joy in their life because of what others might think. And that a sacrifice of much of those harmless things end up rewarded.

[@Lmao_TseTung]

I really wish there was a creator out there talking about traditionally “masculine” commie clothing. I get the utilitarian nature of the garb made lots of unisex clothes but ya know, Mao suits, uniforms, flat caps, etc. I really appreciate your work, it is really informative, I just wish it was a bit more targeted toward me and my ilk. Any viewing suggestions or watch recommendations would be really welcome!

[@ABBCoffical]

Yeah! This would be amazing to see! As interesting as more “feminine” fashion is, it’s not really my thing. It would be cool to see something more tailored to different tastes!

[@Lmao_TseTung]

@@ABBCoffical Right! Any suggestions for channels, literature, so on?

[@ABBCoffical]

@@Lmao_TseTung nah, just commenting so is someone responds I’ll hear about it too lol!

[@Lmao_TseTung]

@@ABBCoffical fair enough!

[@Continuous_Struggle]

I love that anecdote about Lenin. A lot of the content you create is sharing what I call “Proletarian Lore.” While these things do not present a picture of the historical totality, nor provide insight on the universal tasks of communists in all countries today, I think they can give us examples to follow. This is why I love memoirs. Cecilia Boborovskaya’s account of her time in the revolutionary underground is an example I particularly look towards. We have to master Marxism-Leninism and be able to understand the world-historical significance of key periods in the history of the International Communist Movement, but to give a little more life to these things it is helpful to also understand just how and where the Bolsheviks would produce thousands of leaflets, the kinds of living quarters they maintained, and a few funny stories of Marx being a total slob. I think there is plenty of room for what you call “humanizing history” and I call “proletarian lore”. I do think communists should be passionate about all of the history of communism because that history is the ground we stand on. We are, only because they were. That is we should be passionate about making revolution today and assessing the history of the world proletarian revolution is central to making revolution. But this only gets me to the critical point, one that, imo, exemplifies the proletarian spirit. We have lost the first round. The communist movement is in crisis. Hence the plurality of organizations, the impotence of communism to influence the social struggles today. This demands we take up the task of thinking the revolution again. That we apply Marxism to Marxism and recover the revolutionary principles and give them a new lease on life so they can materialize in a revolutionary line. That means we have to master dialectics and criticize in order to integrate our successes and mistakes to meet the objective needs of revolution today. This is the duty of every communist. So the ideological struggle must become more open, deep and rigorous. Today we must cast aside illusions and face reality. That is the only way we can unite! As Lenin said (paraphrase), before we can unite, first we must draw lines of demarcation. You said theory is not your strong suit, but I think your historical/cultural work would benefit from a deeper assimilation of communist ideology. The first reason is that it is ideology which is the first condition of class independence. You rely on Judith Butler, and when you talk about unity you do not present unity in a dialectical manner as a unity of opposites. I think the comment was dogmatic and implied revisionism is something external to Marxism as opposed to its internal negative, the fifth column of the bourgeoisie in the labor movement. Rather in this period of disorientation and defeat, revisionism is Marxist common sense, one that takes a lot of work and theoretical training to struggle against. It does no good to simply point to the most obvious manifestations of revisionism if the revolutionary principles you learned from the books do not materialize in a political line. The second reason is if we were to say that it is not necessary for every communist to assimilate the worldview of the revolutionary proletariat - Marxist theory, we would be reproducing the bourgeois division of labor in our own movement, especially as it relates to the contradiction of manual and intellectual labor - characteristic of all class societies. Today it is of crucial importance for every communist to take theory extremely seriously. As Engles said, “since socialism became a science, it demands to be studied.” I think all communists must strive to advance theoretically. That will raise the level of our debates and be working towards a united movement based on the granite principles of communism. “Red cosplayers”, if they are to create a revolutionary culture, must also be dialecticians. We need an independent culture. There has never and can never be a proletarian revolution without theater, without dressing up in costumes, without songs and poetry!

[@Continuous_Struggle]

I want to be clear, I don’t think you should switch to making theoretical content. I think theory can help to make the type of content you make better.

[@Jamhael1]

An adaptation of a famous feminist quote describe this: "If I'm not allowed to dance, than I don't want this Revolution!"

[@harrygains2642]

Personally before watching, I really think other communists and leftists NEED to get involved in their local democracy and democratic systems. Personally I attended city council meetings and county council meetings which I try to speak as frequently as possible. If we aren’t participating in local democracy how can we pressure the larger powers and institutions at be? We need to lead by example.

[@emperorspock3506]

As an Eastern European, I can tell one big thing that your style of presentation triggers is the fact that a lot of this style has been taken over by social-chauvinists, especially in places that didn't immediately (or openly) build their nationalist mythology around anticommunism. E.g. Russia, Belarus. But that's just an immediate reaction. Keep doing what you're doing please :)

[@uraniumrock8381]

It seems like in Russia the Soviet flag is co-opted by pro-regime reactionaries. My immediate reaction when I see how it's used is always: "This is the Confederate flag for this culture." I want to reclaim the hammer and sickle because I think it's a great and universal symbol, but it's obviously been taken over by nationalist elements in Eastern Europe.

[@mouse_kaguya]

I can’t disagree more with the statement that Russia did not involve fierce anti-communism into the process of new national building. The most hated historical figure is Lenin. They did not dismantle monuments, but they did strive to destroy Lenin’s image, discredit his ideas, and they succeeded, be sure of that.

[@emperorspock3506]

@@mouse_kaguya Yes, this is what social-chauvinism is. Wrap yourself in red rags, be an anti-communist.

[@emperorspock3506]

@@mouse_kaguya This is what social-chauvinism is. Dress in red rags, oppose everything they stand for. Give it five years, and Russia will go full-Ukraine on this.

[@sparrowsbewertungen6930]

YES TO ALL OF IT (I said calmly, in my 1970s soviet tanker Uniform with still working headphones inside the helmet through wich i am listening to this)

[@juanpr1989]

I really like how you framed the idea of performing ideology, and yes I agree that there are multiple ways of communicating ideas. I saw some of the discussion on Instagram and I see resonance from the comments supporting you in this video. Makes me think that ideas are also comunitary (sometimes credit only goes to the haters, because it makes us feel bad, but there are multiple voices in the background). Performance and discourse are inherently comunity-based, we need each other. Alfonso Mendiola, a Mexican historian, says that one of the purposes of history is to put in crisis the present. Fashion, performance, makes a statement by showing. The hate and support you receive is also a consequence of the crisis of your historical performance (crisis as a point of change, not necessarily something bad). By showing (performance) the crisis can prompt another crisis, change. Thanks a lot for the thouthful reflections!

[@robertcharlottemaxwell]

As a fellow communist academic, a lover of style and fashion and lovely things, an artist, collector and a queer radical - I salute you with every limb of my body, comrade. Effing brilliant analysis. And that lip colour is gorgeous, btw.

[@R3dP4nda666]

Hey Lady Izdihar, have you talked about how your interest started in communism? Or about your general background story on how you wanted to become a historian, what you studied, first books you read about communism, etc? Love your videos and tiktoks ❤

[@LadyIzdihar]

I haven't! Do you think that's something people would be interested in hearing?

[@R3dP4nda666]

@@LadyIzdihar Hey, I would love to hear about it! As someone who grew up in the EU, after moving from Russia from a young age, I only had heard about the more sad sides about communism from relatives or fellow immigrants from the USSR. Besides that I'm also Bashkir/Tatar and was also afraid of discovering my own religion i.e. Islam due to the negative perception of it in the EU. So, I'm very fascinated that I found a creator that discusses this unique mix and it inspired me to reconnect with Islam and my own folk culture. Sorry, for fangirling now. But you really inspire me a lot, even as a 30y old fan girl 😅

[@ClassicalTraining]

​@@LadyIzdiharI would also be interested!

[@someotherandomman]

I love commie origin stories!​@@LadyIzdihar

[@ariabk]

I think it’s important to understand what stance you take. Bourgeois ideas in the communist movement have a gigantic effect, and not taking a stance against them is opportunism. So do you stand with Marx, Engels, Lenin, and Stalin or Tito, Khrushchev, Trotsky, and Kautsky? These aren’t “frivolous things.” Trotsky called himself a centrist and tried to create this unity, and I don’t think any of us want to follow in his footsteps.

[@ariabk]

i do agree with most of what u said in this video tho

[@fabiamath]

Im a brazilian communist, also interested in fashion, and I discover your channel by História Pública (Ian Neves). Im loving your videos and it is helping me with listening english. ❤🇧🇷

[@CrimsonSoldat1311]

I am so happy I am not the only one who embraces the dress styles of history. My personal style is informed heavily by the soviet army as a symbol of revolution with all means. Wearing riding pants and jackboots, marshal epaulettes, a red beret or officer's cap, a parade greatcoat for cold and wet weather. It is not only styled for comfort and practicality, but to embolden my resolve and to show all who view me what I am and I stand by it. And it also permits me to embrace my masculinity in a way that shows my allegiance to my comrades regardless of physical differences. Either way, I love you personal style, as well as the beautiful home decor. Communists of our day should embrace our roots and flourish in our pride as the proletariat.

[@Rensra]

Thank you for concluding with Comrade Che that was a lot of how I felt through this video: We as comrades need to see and respect one another for the revolutionary work we are doing by enriching our world with empathy. Art and craft is the personal expression of Science and Engineering, and beholden to that respect is the face and march of progress!

[@perlefisker]

I love your arguments, good and strong. Keep up your good work and enactment - looks great. I'm arriving there slowly, just need a pair of long leather boots now🙂

[@DruzaCardonikc]

I like play a game called how many hammer and sickle pins can I wear on my work uniform before my boss notices.

[@r3ysaints880]

I've been watching your videos for about 6 months, and your approach to complex topics such as the Soviet Union, feminism, and aesthetics has been very interesting. Greetings, comrades from Brazil.

[@Taradoxxi]

This video was a balm to my bitter little overly-online soul. Revolutionary optimism, indeed-that’s something worth maintaining.

[@TheCybermotron]

What you do is every bit as important as discussing theory. Humanising the Soviets and challenging the all-pervasive negative stereotypes and propaganda about them is necessary to counter all the shitty "communism only works in theory" arguments. What you do is open another door for people to engage with socialist ideas, one that I think is more approachable for more people than a lot of socialist creators. Not every every socialist has the inclination to learn all the theory, but they still want to know how people lived under socialism and whether they were happy and fulfilled. But even besides all that, just as a source of historical information, your videos and the content you share on your website are invaluable. Keep up the incredible work!

[@ONEisN0THING]

7:27 Ouch. Your right. Such pressure to be perfect, physically strong, always right, a great theoretician, authentic yet conforming. Kind yet brutal to dissent. We must be bold and independant, but also the commandism thats so negatively spoken of is engforced through correct interpretations. I often ask questions to fellow comrades as to gauge their veiws, perspectives or ways to better communicate to workers, yet am met with belittling. Its awful. The negative culture within parties is toxic. I love the party, I do. In a world of climate crisis and infinite profit off finite resources, I see it as the last hope for humanity, but at the same time I am not a strong enough Bolshevik to be continuosly belittled, mocked and alienated. Its hard. Its real fucking hard. It creates an impression we cannot fit in, be it Stalinist, or Trotskyist, or Maoist. Long live the people

[@LvOneRose]

I think this video has inspired me to give a little more attention updating the way I speak about certain things, like contradictions, to help more people understand, rather than sticking to a style guide. Even if I expect some negative reactions.

[@sonyaslyusarenko8698]

just curious what you think about holodomor?

[@ALL_CAPS__]

"Do what you can, when you can, for as long as you can." - Beau or the Fifth Column For any movement to survive, we need a diversity of tactics and contributions. The only thing anyone can ever ask of you, is for you to be the best you. ❤

[@Abcdefg-tf7cu]

"Do human trafficking when you can, for as long as you can"--Justin King AKA Beau of the Human Trafficking

[@pablobordaok]

Great work! Greetings from another historian comrade from Argentina!

[@LadyIzdihar]

Thank you 😊💖

[@uraniumrock8381]

Arguments about "larping" usually fail to grasp that performative aesthetics are inherent aspects of mass movements. That's why the Soviets covered everything in Marx and Lenin statues.

[@LadyIzdihar]

Good point Actually!

[@uraniumrock8381]

@LadyIzdihar all 20th century mass movements were "cosplaying", what is a missile parade? Supposedly, Stalin didn't even smoke his pipe, it was just a prop to look paternal. I don't have a problem with affected aesthetics, I'm not sure if taking aesthetics out of history is politically savvy. It makes the movement look literally historical and irrelevant. Also, dressing up as the past is inherently reactionary. I wish contemporary leftists could have a coherent positive aesthetic. Currently the closest thing to that is like septum rings and looking too online. I'll take the Soviet larping over that. I'd rather wear a Ushanka than clear framed glasses.

[@nathalinda666]

i'm loving the marxist youtubers in the international community, for so long i've seen few declared marxists youtubers speaking english and this is so important!!!

[@khaossecond]

Great video!! Thank you so much for your work, your videos helped me a lot to understand and to study sovietic cultures, religion, daily life and fashion! Before I found your channel, I was lost on those subjects

[@alangalantin8614]

I believe we need as much content creators supporting Communism as possible. With different ways to engage people, the funny ones, the historical accuracy ones with bibliography..and going on. We need to BE here.

[@r.i.t.i.k.a]

Honestly i follow u just for the aesthetic. Also i'd argue that worker's fashion SHOULD be glamourized over getting the next gucci or bugatti. One is mindless copium and the other is a dedicated approach to looking pretty while doing the least amount of damage possible.

[@chrisbacano3982]

We should also give proper attention to the fact that the expected performance is extremely ableist and white-centered, mainly because it creates demands not everyone can fill in due to communication, social or mobility issues and diversity and it doesn't consider decolonial past and current experiences, nor do they invest in those. We should beware that the discourse revolving an expected communist performance is partially chronically online and reduced to the US-UK-Australia bubble

[@ashutosh3613]

Your passion is contagious. Thank you for all that you do!

[@fallenswan1670]

Yep... Those who were in cold war era part of SKDL (short from "Suomen Kansandemokraattinen Liitto", often translated as "People's Democratic League of Finland") often says, that fight inside of the political party between so called "stalinists" ("Taistolaiset" - word could be understood as "those who fight" but it came from name of "Taisto Sinisalo", who's first name means "fight" or "struggle") and so called "eurocommunists" was the main reason why popularity of the party slowly shrinked, and while the party once was most popular party in Finland in 1958 elections, it lost more than half of it's support slowly till 1991 it was replaced by Left Alliance party. That the infight took so much energy and attention, that lot of people who wanted build socialism or communism, stopped to be active in the party, and stopped to support it. USSR pressured SKDL to "come along" with the split inside of the party, but that didn't really helped at all. Some people see, that it even worsened the thing. That because of that pressure, fighting inside the party never stopped, there was never real debate about things, but "who is in who's side" instead. In UK I've seen new Revolutionary Communist Party been created, and I am very happy about it, and lot of what they say. But I cannot understand why they focus also to blame Stalin about...well everything, like Stalin would be big thing in today's UK... I mean, so much passion to hate "wrong communists". (I may prefer Trotsky over Stalin in many questions, but I can criticize both of them, and also recognise lot of good from both of them). It does not help anything... I admire professor Richard Wolff's ability to avoid all infighting and focus on main questions. He can say lot of good things about China, USSR - and also recognise, that mistakes been made, although never as much as in capitalist nations. No one can challenge capitalism in body count, if you want such competition to have.

[@comradestannis]

Communists express themselves in many ways. I'm Autistic and have a communication style that's just... different to many other people.

[@ALL_CAPS__]

One thing I found in my adult and working life is people both crave and fear anything genuine or true honesty. We are all afraid to be criticized, judged, or shunned. It takes maturity and true character to understand that you owe to yourself to be the best version of you. Others may not like or agree with what you like to do, and that’s OK. As long as you are not hurting anyone and trying to be better than your previous self every day, the rest does not matter. As another commentor said, be unapologetically you. All the other BS does not matter. ❤

[@user-qu1by1cq5k]

Your content is powerful and important, and I'm convinced that's why you get so much hate. You don't deserve the hate, but I think it's oddly a good sign! I love your content, it constantly impacts me in fantastic ways. Thank you 💕

[@samuelboucher5980]

Great vid!! While I'm not a pure communist and lean more towards socialism, I think that your general idea of "revolution the way you want, just remember we're in this together as the working class" is a breath of fresh air. That's my biggest gripe with the left is that everyone is so busy arguing with each other about the "correct" way to be a leftist. The revolution begins with us on the ground, it doesn't really matter what your brand of leftist is. Bravo!!

[@fishofthepeople]

Lenin built a great part of his theory by reacting to "content" produced by others. He didn't teach at the university, nor did he study in a formal, academic, way. See the 1933 article by Nadezhda Krupskaya on how Lenin studied Marx. Love your "not-tankie" content, full of love and empathy. keep it up!

[@cheyennepetersen3417]

I haven't made up my mind about my personal opinions and affiliation with communism, however I do admit that I lean into socialism heavily. This is all something I'm still learning about. I found your channel the other day and was hesitant because I've found other content creators who seem to do exactly what you quoted: they cannot make any criticisms of communism and often don't learn about what has actually happened in history, and that really puts me off. I like what I've seen of your channel so far because you say a lot of things that I believe are objectively good ways of living regardless of ideology. You are so right about everything being performed, and that putting restrictions on how something as broad as an ideology is so bullshit when people come from highly diverse backgrounds and experiences. I also agree that people don't know how to healthily disagree anymore. That's something I experienced in college, where everyone seemed to be in a who-is-more-liberal olympics. I think it'll be really interesting in the next four years in the US seeing how people's frustration with two polarized political parties will evolve into different ways of collaborating that don't necessarily mean you even agree on most things. I'm hoping we're finally done fighting and tired enough of nothing working that people start working together regardless of background.

[@MXA_News]

I struggled with this for a bit on the difference between a Larp and taking real action. I've come to this conclusion: if you demean somebody for acting out of your expectations, you are doing nothing to help the movement. We're not at a point where socialism is a reality. We're getting there, but we still have a lot of work to do. "You propagandists aren't doing enough. You're just putting posters up!" How will people know if there's nothing to read? How will people know if there's no source that's going to introduce the idea? The only time we heard about communism in the 90s-Early 2000s is through establishment filters. Right now, we have a ripe opportunity to normalize the idea. The establishment is losing credibility, but people are confused as to why this is so. So they say "Well I'll vote for the Red Tie this time. The Blue Tie didn't do shit." Then get disllusioned when the Red Tie doesn't provide material relief. They vote for the Blue Tie, rinse and repeat. By introducing these ideas, however you do it, you're introducing people to an alterantive paradigm. They no longer are enslaved to the Red/Blue Dynamic of Politics. They exercise other means of running society. They begin to question why certain conventions have the foundations they do. They begin to ask what's enforcing the status quo. They seek the contradictions in their desire to find answers and it starts with normalizing these ideas into concrete reality. What does Socialism mean for gun ownership? What does it mean for your job? What does it mean for how your healthcare? What does Capitalism do in relation to these things? Let us not forget that the Republican Party is about Gun Control when certain people try to exercise their Second Amendment Rights. (See the Mulford Act.) Let us not forget that Right-to-Work Laws give an employer permission to fire you without being held accountable as to why. Remember that Insurance Companies can deny your claims for any reason. Need a heart surgery? Under capitalism, it isn't profitable to let you get that necessary heart surgery. Yet Capitalism is argued to be the greater good? As long as we're not trying to interject our own contradictions and biases into the ideology, we should be constructive of one another instead of infighting in the public. Develop real solidarity and connect to each other through organizations. If you can organize hate campaigns against content creators that agitate you, why can't you do so against Capitalist agitators? What stops you from developing such a will to act?

[@sethk5396]

I’ve also seen criticism of you from liberals suggesting that it’s offensive that you “LARP” as a Soviet. Yet they seem to not take offence to history channels that wear European dress from periods in which feudalism, slavery, and colonialism were the dominant system.

[@NotesNNotes]

I find it really interesting that person doesn’t seem to consider that people who watch your content are not here having their first dose of communism. We are very likely supplementing our own preferred praxis and theory-based content and our own activism with your videos - which, personally I deeply enjoy. Your content is thoughtful and beautiful and different. You’ve still informed me on other aspects of communism - I’ve even picked up books that you’ve suggested that I hadn’t seen other leftist creators mention.

[@_jake_doran]

Thank you for making this and sparking this lovely conversation in such a dedicated and impassioned performance! :)

[@delly2088]

17:07 ironically, by promoting the human aspect of it all, you show a more dialectical view of things, rather than perfection or hell on earth, thus making YOU truest follower of Lenin all along!!!!!! EDIT: typo

[@MundaSquire]

Your channel is great and educational. It does humanize community and communism away from the pervasive propaganda that demonize them. I agree about the divisiveness which is often instilled by some on purpose, including those who are outside communism. Keep up your methodology. It's great.

[@ProletarianPower]

I would love to know where you get your clothing. I love the outfits!

[@commenterthe3rd]

same

[@rubyredlotus]

I adore you Izdihar, but despite having also come from a place where I valued unity as the ultimate goal, after study and experience with the parties, I vehemently disagree that upholding unity within the communist movement is a good thing. First, to call the disagreements between communists frivolous is wrong, but again, I also viewed things this way at one time. To give an example of a disagreement that is not frivolous: the national question is of tantamount importance, particularly in the USA because of the so-called "guardian-ward" relationship the settler state uses to maintain control of the 574 federally recognized Indigenous nations, all of which had their land stolen and are still relegated to reserves where our government continues a 400 year campaign of genocide, exploitation and extraction. The reactionary and white supremacist "National Bolsheviks"/"Patriotic Socialists" ("Nazbols" as we used to call them) who desire to withhold sovereignty and land from the Natives during and after the process of socialist transformation are and always have been corrosive and incorrigible. On a deeply related note, there are racists, misogynists, bigots, abusers etc who identify as communist and maintain membership and even leadership within the parties. I am not and will never be in community with them, I am not safe around these people. I urge you to reconsider and make careful observation of the contradictions in our movement between decolonial socialists and patsocs, if nothing else.

[@LadyIzdihar]

I totally understand where you are coming from, and I agree with you for the most part. I think my mistake here is I didn't give any solid examples of the kinds of differences I was talking about when I called them frivolous. There are absolutely going to be certain groups and people that we shouldn't have unity with but I was talking too generally there! For the most part, Communists acting in good faith, should find unity with one another. But those causing destruction and hurt should of course not be dealt with in the same way.

[@grapesofwrath3509]

I'm going to be perfectly honest.... At first when I saw an individual with all the Soviet memorabilia in the background there was a little seed of scepticism in me. I have seen a lot of people who use Soviet symbols for a variety of reasons, and far not always to push for a progressive Marxist cause. After I was done listening to the comrade in this video, I clicked the "Subscribe" button, and even went on my Instagram and followed her there too. I do genuinely appreciate that this creator does have the passion for the Soviet culture, and does what she does honestly, mindfully and respectfully. As a Soviet-American I don't believe in gatekeeping. The best thing about the Soviet culture is that it was meant to be shared with the outside world in a conscious and respectful manner. And this creator here managed to succeed in this field. I would also like to compliment her dialectical understanding of the USSR- there were a lot of very good and progressive things, and there were mistakes, at times tragic. The biggest disservice to the communist legacy of the Soviet Union would be to either blindly idealize or blindly bash it. Here we can think about the example of Paris Commune. Engels and Lenin did criticize it for the mistakes of its leadership that led to its ultimate defeat. However, they did advocate the progressive legacy of the Paris Commune, and valued its contribution to the practice of building a new socialist society. In his speeches Lenin himself did say that the young Soviet Republic is the proud successor of the Paris Commune. Same can be applied to the history of the Socialist states of the 20th century. The final objective is not to recreate what once was, but build something that's new and better, something that doesn't have the same flaws. Thank you for the great video! No war but the class was! Workers of the world unite! ✊✊✊🚩🚩🚩

[@ammazkhan7586]

Comrade, love the content you're putting out. Quick tip to improve audio quality, as I do see a mic pin, but there seems to be some static coming through as well. Not sure how tech-savvy you are, but consider using a decibel filter to filter out noise which is less than 4-8 db (really depends on the input) but it should improve the quality of the sound dramatically! It'll be a great help for headphone users too ! :)

[@LadyIzdihar]

Thanks for the tip! I think my issue is I don't edit with headphones it 😭

[@ammazkhan7586]

@@LadyIzdihar no worries! 😊 Happy to help.

[@ammazkhan7586]

@@LadyIzdihar Actually, another thing you might try is using classical soviet music at low volume as background. It will mask the muffled audio. There should be some good archives available! I for one would love such an implementation.

[@LadyIzdihar]

My only concern with music is finding something that won't get flagged and copywrite strikes on the video.

[@ammazkhan7586]

@@LadyIzdihar ah true. Maybe lofi Soviet beats? 🤔 I've seen another comrade do that.

[@funkytikigod7039]

I'm not a Marxist Leninist, but I like your attitude at lot!

[@maxgurman633]

I so appreciate and resonate with your analysis here and your ability to embrace the complexity and richness that makes life more human. I'm an aspiring culture worker, and I've had comrades (who are close friends of mine) rather than support my vision (and my small but particular role) tell me art isnt important during a revolution, clothing isnt important during a revolution. They act like a revolution is one singular act. It's a process! Beyond an armed struggle is a whole new world that needs to be built, it includes many things, it requires many things! We need to be lifting each other. That is precisely why I make art, not just because I love it or am good at it, but because I want others to see art that empowers them and "helps them greater understand their world and their role in it." Additionally, like you, I want to humanize, I want to honor heroes that dont get to be honored in western culture, bring names back that the West has tried to bury, I want those to be teaching opportunities. I've had a comrade close to me tell me I was taking on my political views as too much of my personality because I got interested in marxist culture. Cmon! We should be celebrating this legacy, just like you do. It's the most inspiring thing in the world! Your work is appreciated, you are an inspiration to others! Thank you Izdihar

[@jeevanjustin1305]

Dear comrade, thank you so much for your work, words and voice. I was particularly enamoured by the concept of revolutionary empathy. Video when? 😭😭

[@barabashkacash3878]

Workers all over the world UNITE!

[@Nalimias]

This reminds of when I tell people my favourite music is metal and they're like "but you don't LOOK like a metalhead", yeah, because I don't need to base my appearance on things I like/value. I dress in a way that makes me happy (thrifted formal menswear) and that has nothing to do with what I believe in (well the thrifting is philosophy-based but I could just as well find jean jackets or something spiky in the thrift store).

[@Omniseed]

You're a good channel and an important piece of culture in your own right, thanks for helping to educate us on the generally overlooked but critically important aspects of day-to-day life that you tend to focus on!

[@gnowra]

When at uni I remember getting extremely excited about a fashion history class I was forced to take. I’m not a fashionable person but what I realised in this class is that fashion history is the history of normal people and reflects the politics of different eras in a way that’s interesting and personal to real people. Modern fast fashion has kind of undermined this to an extent by mass producing garments that at some point had some kind of political or societal meaning

[@billdipperly6435]

“Forgive me for having joy” NONE NEEDED LADY IZDIHAR!! Have all the joy you want ❤

[@MANO_CRAZY]

Mais um novo fã brasileiro aqui! I meet u at tiktok, but thanks to algorithm, I found u at my YT page!

[@SyrianBugBro]

one of the best videos I've seen regarding questions that I've never thought about. Loved it.

[@TinaStar-jo8nv]

Really love your content and feel like you’re bringing a much needed perspective to a community that is often male centred and hyper intellectual. About the experience of people in the soviet union; do you have any resources for what people ate especially what more fine dining looked like.

[@LadyIzdihar]

Ohhh thank you! And that is such a common question, people often ask me about food. Personally, it's not a major interest of mine, I don't cook at all. I don't know how and therefore I've never really been drawn to culinary aspects (other than devouring the delicious Russian / Kavkaz food my husband and friends make me) But maybe I should be more open to this!