Fall Editorial 2024

This issue emerges at a time of dread as we await the volcanic pustule of corruption and brutal class war to be unleashed in January by Trump and his dystopian wrecking crew. Now the wealthiest man on the planet threatens to further impoverish the poorest of us by attacking Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Our health is now further endangered by an anti-vax conspiracy theorist. Roundups of hardworking and super exploited immigrants are promised. So too are attacks on women, gay, transgender, truth-telling media and the perceived left, labeled "the enemy within."

We can sympathize with those who withheld their vote for a weak, war and genocide supporting candidate put forward by the Democrats. But our brothers and sisters who voted for Trump made a grave mistake we'll all pay for. As a working class journal dedicated to building class unity we eschew divisive finger-pointing and blame.

The massive reaction to the recent killing of the CEO of a deadly greed-driven company in a greed-driven industry shows that all of us object to being harmed by big business greed. It isn't just the insurance industry. We are daily poisoned, impoverished and exploited by the corporate dominance that has undermined our government. Our massive righteous anger twisted against us by corporate "think tanks" and media have led us here. In this common outpouring of rage, we see the possibility for change in sharing our truths. Many have been citing our nation's sordid past of slavery, genocide,sexism, and a plethora of global atrocities in leading to the present. Let us also remember that since this country's birth and even before, there have always been people and movements struggling for justice. From abolitionists and suffragettes to civil rights, labor and opposition to wars, we've had our victories and much progress has resulted.

Trump, in many ways is the epitome of a self absorbed CEO knowingly harming us for his own personal enrichment. But we will survive him. In times like these, our efforts as poets and as a journal are needed more than ever. We are proud to claim Trump's epithet of being the "enemy within" and are determined to continue together -- no matter what -- to say what needs to be said. Our entire effort is, first and foremost, perspective shaping. We understand the power of art, of poetry, to make complex issues understood and felt, to change attitudes and minds. We understand our class commonalties and who really threatens our health and well being. We understand that, putrid and dangerous as Trump and his MAGA fascists are, the problem is systemic and that he is a useful tool funded by and for billionaires and noxious corporations. In spite of his 2% margin of victory in the popular vote, we should take heart that fascism is not supported by a majority of citizens; that even states Trump won voted to protect labor and abortion rights.

We must take advantage of rising working class rage to build a culture of militant solidarity and class perspective. To move beyond returning to the status-quo of empire, to abolishing the utter corruption of military/corporate dictatorship and to struggle for working class democracy and a livable future.

Let us remember that we are not alone, that we have the numbers and that we have to be here for each other in the hard times we face. Together, we make a difference, together we will persevere.