Grant Klusmann: Before realizing that you are a Marxist-Leninist, what political activities were you involved in?
Eddie Smith: I was one of the many members of the ACP who came out of the Bernie movement. Before the Bernie movement, my dad’s union got busted by the Wisconsin Budget Repair Bill. My dad was a public-school teacher, and Governor Walker, who was one of the Koch brothers’ favorite politicians because he would do anything they said with no backbone, came to office and busted up teachers’ unions. Fox News and the right at large embarked on a propaganda campaign to demonize the teachers and pit them against the private sector workers who previously had their unions busted. Before all of that, my parents voted for Bush twice because of their pro-life stance, which they now realize was a ridiculous stance to take, considering how the Bush administration launched the Iraq War, which killed millions. The events surrounding my dad’s union kind of woke us up. We protested at the capital. I got to see American politics for what it actually is. Bernie Sanders’ campaign introduced me to socialism. While studying politics in college, I became a democratic socialist. By the time I was a senior in college, Bernie was running again. My Midwestern Marx co-founder, Carlos Garrido, and I worked on Bernie’s campaign that year, and we started studying Marxism-Leninism. With the failure of the Bernie campaign, it seemed like the perfect time to launch something new, and that’s how Midwestern Marx came about.
Grant Klusmann: In addition to your role at the Midwestern Marx Institute, you are also known for serving on the executive board of the American Communist Party. When was it decided to reconstitute the old party?
Eddie Smith: That’s a great question! There were many points on the timeline where we recognized the need for a qualitative shift. I would say we realized it was necessary around 2021 and 2022. That was when I joined CPUSA. I wasn’t the most dedicated member, but I did attend a handful of meetings. I was basically just a member on paper, but I still had the opportunity to see CPUSA for what it was. They knew I had a following on social media. Because I wasn’t expressing support for the Democratic Party, I would receive a long lecture about the importance of supporting the Democrats, which obviously had nothing to do with Marxist-Leninist organizing. Seeing CPUSA operate as an arm of the Democratic Party made me realize we needed something new. It wasn’t until we met Haz’s community, Chris Helali, Jackson Hinkle, and others, that we saw an opportunity to form a new party. Eventually, Haz and Jackson suggested we come together to start a new party, and we thought it wasn’t the right time at first. Of course, it was risky, but every revolutionary action involves risk. I believe the number of people who have since joined the American Communist Party has vindicated our decision to form the party.
Grant Klusmann: What is your role on the executive board of the American Communist Party?
Eddie Smith: Constitutionally, my job is to make decisions at the executive board level and make sure that Chairman Haz Al-Din is fulfilling his duties. For the most part, each member of the executive board leads a different department. Carlos runs the Department of Education, Chris Helali is the international secretary, Kyle leads the Department of Personnel, and Noah is the treasurer for the party. I lead the Department of Media. My department was among the last formed. If anyone reading this who is in the ACP has any media skills, please reach out to me on Telegram.
Grant Klusmann: What strategy is the American Communist Party most focused on to achieve the goal of transforming America into a workers’ state?
Eddie Smith: That’s such a good question! The feds have spent a lot of time infiltrating the left to neuter it. Suppose you’re starting a Marxist-Leninist party that follows Marxist-Leninist principles applied to the modern era. In that case, you’re going to have to shake up the left. By virtue of the principles, you’re going to have a lot of haters. The principles we stand up for are not the principles that the modern American left has stood for the past thirty to forty-plus years. Recently, the left is much more focused on identity politics and culture war issues than class struggle. When we started, we expected this kind of hate. We’re trying to refocus the conversation on class, and this requires strength and the ability to stand on business to proclaim what the proper Marxist positions are. These are the positions America needs right now. The other side of the dialectic that is also important is having the humility to give people a chance to reach their revolutionary potential.
Grant Klusmann: Where do you see the American Communist Party in the future?
Eddie Smith: Great question! I think it depends on how long we’re in peacetime in the United States. We have to take into account the rise of multipolarity. There are two options. The first option is that peacetime continues for a while. The ACP would continue with its current strategy, which is building bases of support on the ground by ingraining itself within local communities by participating in acts of community service and organizing workplaces and other traditional forms of class struggle as well as more unique forms of class struggle such as the case with our social media strategy so may continue to grow our numbers and build up the strength of our party. The other option is that a collapse of our current political paradigm can occur, thus plunging the country into a constitutional crisis. Various factions would fight for control of the country. I think this is very likely, maybe not in the near future, but sooner than most people would expect. I won’t say too much about our potential role in this situation, but we would need to be ready to protect ourselves.
Grant Klusmann: If one thing is for sure, it is that the American Communist Party is an emerging force shaking up the current political paradigm. It will be exciting to see what the future holds for this new political force. With this, I thank you for speaking with me today.
Eddie Smith: Thank you, Grant!
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