how do i start to read marxist leninist/leftist stuff ? i searched on the internet but it’s super confusing lol
the most important value for me as an ML is anti-imperialism, so i guess i'll always recommend that people start with works centred on that
some suggestions below (all books should be available either on marxist.org or as pdf/epub files on libgen)
American Holocaust by David E. Stannard
about the colonization of america. not explicitly marxist, but it's probably done more to radicalize me than any other piece of writing. this is the pile of corpses capitalism is built on:
Within no more than a handful of generations following their first en counters with Europeans, the vast majority of the Western Hemisphere's native peoples had been exterminated. The pace and magnitude of their obliteration varied from place to place and from time to time, but for years now historical demographers have been uncovering, in region upon region, post-Columbian depopulation rates of between 90 and 98 percent with such regularity that an overall decline of 95 percent has become a working rule of thumb. What this means is that, on average, for every twenty natives alive at the moment of European contact-when the lands of the Americas teemed with numerous tens of millions of people-only one stood in their place when the bloodbath was over. To put this in a contemporary context, the ratio of native survivorship in the Americas following European contact was less than half of what the human survivorship ratio would be in the United States today if every single white person and every single black person died. The destruction of the Indians of the Americas was, far and away, the most massive act of genocide in the history of the world. That is why, as one historian aptly has said, far from the heroic and romantic heraldry that customarily is used to symbolize the European settlement of the Americas, the emblem most congruent with reality would be a pyramid of skulls. - David E. Stannard
2. Imperialism: The Highest Stage of Capitalism by Vladimir Lenin
Imperialism is capitalism at that stage of development at which the dominance of monopolies and finance capital is established; in which the export of capital has acquired pronounced importance; in which the division of the world among the international trusts has begun, in which the division of all territories of the globe among the biggest capitalist powers has been completed. - Vladimir Lenin
3. The Wretched of The Earth by Franz Fanon
Let us look at ourselves, if we can bear to, and see what is becoming of us. First, we must face that unexpected revelation, the strip-tease of our humanism. There you can see it, quite naked, and it’s not a pretty sight. It was nothing but an ideology of lies, a perfect justification for pillage; its honeyed words, its affectation of sensibility were only alibis for our aggressions. A fine sight they are too, the believers in non-violence, saying that they are neither executioners nor victims. Very well then; if you’re not victims when the government which you’ve voted for, when the army in which your younger brothers are serving without hesitation or remorse have undertaken race murder, you are, without a shadow of doubt, executioners. And if you chose to be victims and to risk being put in prison for a day or two, you are simply choosing to pull your irons out of the fire. But you will not be able to pull them out; they’ll have to stay there till the end. Try to understand this at any rate: if violence began this very evening and if exploitation and oppression had never existed on the earth, perhaps the slogans of non-violence might end the quarrel. But if the whole regime, even your non-violent ideas, are conditioned by a thousand-year-old oppression, your passivity serves only to place you in the ranks of the oppressors. - prefrace by Jean-Paul Sartre
4. Discourse on Colonialism by Aimé Césaire
Yes, it would be worthwhile to study clinically, in detail, the steps taken by Hitler and Hitlerism and to reveal to the very distinguished, very humanistic, very Christian bourgeois of the twentieth century that without his being aware of it, he has a Hitler inside him, that Hitler inhabits him, that Hitler is his demon, that if he rails against him, he is being inconsistent and that, at bottom, what he cannot forgive Hitler for is not crime in itself, the crime against man, it is not the humiliation of man as such, it is the crime against the white man, the humiliation of the white man, and the fact that he applied to Europe colonialist procedures which until then had been reserved exclusively for the Arabs of Algeria, the coolies of India, and the blacks of Africa I have talked a good deal about Hitler. Because he deserves it: he makes it possible to see things on a large scale and to grasp the fact that capitalist society, at its present stage, is incapable of establishing a concept of the rights of all men, just as it has proved incapable of establishing a system of individual ethics. Whether one likes it or not, at the end of the blind alley that is Europe, I mean the Europe of Adenauer, Schuman, Bidault, and a few others, there is Hitler. At the end of capitalism, which is eager to outlive its day, there is Hitler. At the end of formal humanism and philosophicrenunciation, there is Hitler - Aimé Césaire
5. Blackshirts and Reds: Rational Fascism and the Overthrow of Communism by Michael Parenti
probably the most accessible introduction to communism that doesn't demonize countries that have undergone—or attempted to undergo—a transitation into socalism (like the ussr, cuba, etc.)
The very concept of "revolutionary violence" is somewhat falsely cast, since most of the violence comes from those who attempt to prevent reform, not from those struggling for reform. By focusing on the violent rebellions of the downtrodden, we overlook the much greater repressive force and violence utilized by the ruling oligarchs to maintain the status quo, including armed attacks against peaceful demonstrations, mass arrests, torture, destruction of opposition organizations, suppression of dissident publications, death squad assassinations, the extermination of whole villages, and the like. - Michael Parenti
x: a variable used to represent something unknown.
We’ve seen an influx of questions about how to write stories based around characters of color, disability, non-binary, etc. when the author does not fall into these categories. Rather than have these posts take over the site, we’ve decided to compile a list of resources to help our fellow writers become more educated about writing what they do not immediately know. However, this list is not the end-all-be-all of knowledge; one should always try to learn from someone with first hand experience in any topic. The world is constantly growing and changing, and because of that, there will always be more to learn. The admins at Plotline Hotline want to help writers form respectful, informed, and realistic characters that broaden the narrow range we see in literature today.
*Be wary that some of the topics listed below contain sensitive material. Reader discretion is advised.*
As always, the links I found to be especially apt will be in bold. Topics are listed alphabetically, excepting the “other” section.
Appropriate Cultural Appropriation
What is Cultural Appropriation? [1,2,3]
Cultural Appropriation Is, In Fact, Indefensible
Voice Appropriation & Writing About Other Cultures
Diversity, Appropriation, and Writing the Other [List]
Writing Disibilities [1,2,3,4,5]
Guides to Writing Deaf or Hard of Hearding People
National Association of the Deaf - Resources [List]
World Federation of the Deaf
Using a Prosthetic Device
Prostehtic Limbs (Character Guide)
How NOT to Write Disabled Characters
A Guide to Disibility Rights Law (United States)
Timeline of Disibility Rights in the United States
Social Security Disability: List of Impairments, Medical Conditions, and Problems [List] (United States)
How to Write Disabled Characters: An Opinion Piece
Artificial Eye Resources [List][Various]
Adapting to the Loss of an Eye
Misconceptions and Myths About Blindness
Blind Characters: A Process of Awareness
Writing Blind Characters [List]
Types of Learning Disabilities [List]
A Guide to Spotting and Growing Past Stereotypes
How to Prepare to Write a Diverse Book
The Diversity of Writing
Why Diversity Matters for Everyone
Writing a Driverse Book [1,2,3,4,5]
Diversity, Political Correctness and The Power of Language
Diversity Book List [List][Books]
Basic Tips To Write Subcultures & Minority Religions Better
Basic Tips to Avoid Tokenism
GLAAD Media Reference Guide - Transgender
Creating Well-Written Trans Characters
A Few Things Writers Need To Know About Sexuality & Gender Expression
Trans (Character Guide & Bio Building)
A Non-Binary Person’s Guide to Invented Pronouns
Gender Neutral Writing [List]
Keeping a Trans* Person a Person
Suggestions for Reducing Gendered Terms in Language [Photo]
How to Review a Trans Book as a Cis Person
Writing Characters of Different Genders [List]
Understanding Gender
Gender Spectrum Resources [List]
Gender History
Writing Chronic Illness [1,2]
The Spoon Theory - Also pertains to disibility
About HIV/AIDS
Sexually Transmitted Diseases [List]
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Sex and Gender Differences in Health [Study]
All Chronic Illness Topics [List]
Coping with Chronic Illness
All Cancer Types
A Day in the Life of a Home Health Aide/Health Coach
Fiction Books With Chronically Ill Main Characters- Not Cancer [List][Books]
Writing an Autistic Character When You Don’t Have Autism
Depression Resources [List]
What to Consider When Writing Mental Illness
Stanford Psychiatric Patient Care
Inpatient Psychiatric Questions and Tips
Don’t Call Me Crazy [Documentary]
(Avoid) Romanticizing Mental Illness [1,2]
A Day in the Life of a Mental Hospital Patient
State-run vs. Private Mental Hospitals
Mental Disorders
Mental Hospital Non-Fiction [List][Books]
National Institute of Mental Health - Mental Health Information [List]
Writing Autistic
What Causes PTSD?
Remember, Remember: The Basics of Writing Amnesia
ADHD Basic Information
What is a Learning Disability?
What is Neurotypical?
Writing Race: A Checklist for Authors
Transracial Writing for the Sincere
Is my character “black enough”
White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack
Challenge, Counter, Controvert: Subverting Expectations
Writing With Color: Blogs - Recs - Resources [List]
Writing People of Color (If you happen to be a person of another color)
7 Offensive Mistakes Well-Intentioned Writers Make
Description Guide - Words for Skin Tone
Religion in Novels: Terrific or Taboo?
How to Write a Fantasy Novel that Sells: The Religion
Writing About Faith And Religion
From Aladdin to Homeland: How Hollywood Can Reinforce Racial and Religious Stereotypes
Understanding Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity [List]
Writing Gay Characters [1,2,3]
American Civil Liberties Union - LGBT+ Rights
LGBT+ Rights by Country or Territory
History of Gay Rights
Gay Rights Movement
LGBT+ Culture
Gay Myths and Stereotypes
LGBT+ Studies Web Sites [List]
LGBTQ Youth Issues
LGBTData.com
Overview of Gay and Lesbian Parenting, Adoption and Foster Care (United States)
How Doctors’ Offices—and Queer Culture—Are Failing Autistic LGBTQ People
Five Traps and Tips for Character Development
Developing Realistic Characters
I hope that this list will provide topics a writer may not initially think to research when writing. If there are any resources that you think would be fitting for this list, please let us know! We want to have as many helpful sources as possible to maximize learning opportunities.
Stay educated,
xx Sarah
The ones in bold are free but, they also offer some functionalities behind a paywall.
Code.org
FreeCodeCamp
Harvard Courses
W3 Schools
Geeks For Geeks
Replit
The Odin Project
Raspberry Pi Projects
Google’s Web Fundamentals
TeachYourselfCS
MIT Open CourseWare
Crash Course
SoloLearn
JetBrains Academy
CodeFirstGirls MOOCS
PBS
Boolean Girl
Dev Launchers
an ever-updating masterpost of books i've recommended. please check these before you ask for recommendations in case they've been covered —
fiction
"the tragedy still happened, but it was important that the love was there"
japanese literature
korean literature [1], [2]
gothic writing
spooky adult horror gothic
some favourites
marathi books
some ruskin bond
indian fiction [1], [2], historical fiction, stories, [3], [4]
non-fiction
general assorted ones i like
some favourites
about people living through crises
on geopolitics, foreign policy, international affairs
on political philsophy
vaguely sociology
biographies
on economic history
on the silk route
on prisons, convict labour
on afghanistan, soviet invasion, terror
capitalism
on language and linguistics
on the ancient and prehistoric world
just a bunch on india
the indus valley
indian aestheticism, art
gupta empire
sangam literature
on the northeast
india and southeast asia
nur jahan, mughal women | more
islamic conquest and state-making
on kashmir
assorted nonfiction
colonisation and aftereffects
on nationalism
on cities
on mumbai
on bollywood in bombay
on cities
on delhi
on kolkata
essays
history, migration, labour
art, reading, travel, gender, sports
nature, climate, some history
political economy, environmental and urban history, cartography and space
my comfort books
light reading
books that have got me out of my slumps
on art, photography, aesthetics, design [1], [2], [3]
on the environment
just some story and essay collections
online library so far:
margaret atwood
the brontës (the complete works is a MASSIVE file fyi)
anne carson
hélène cixous
bell hooks
clarice lispector
audre lorde
virginia woolf
compilations
feminist theory
academic writing (both books and articles)
everything here is in pdf format so you should be able to download and read it on any device. it’s slow going because i have a lot of epubs that i have to convert before uploading and the folders i’ve listed here are neither complete nor comprehensive, but it’s a start!
The Vampyre by John William Polidori
Carmilla by J. Sharidon le Fanu
The Flowers Of Evil by Charles Baudelaire
Perfume: The Story Of A Murderer by Patrick Suskind & translated by John E. Woods
The Strange Case Of Doctor Jekyll & Mister Hyde by John Louis Stevenson
Complete Stories & Poems by Edgar Allen Poe
The Picture Of Dorian Grey by Oscar Wild
The Turn Of The Screw by Henry James
The Island Of Doctor Moreau by H.G. Wells
The Hounds Of Baskerville by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
The Monk by Matthew Gregory Lewis
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving
Uncle Silas by J. Sheridan le Fanu
Melmoth The Wanderer by Charles Robert Maturin
The Woman In White by Wilkie Collins
*Note these are all novels published BEFORE the 1900s -- I've got a whole other list of those. If you're interested, hmu.
This is part 1 of a few on dystopia that I’ll be publishing every Monday because I find it incredibly interesting that we are so fascinated by societies that are going horribly wrong.
hello, i don't really know how to describe these, but i was wondering if you knew any poems with slightly specific and 'homey' lines that make you feel warm inside like the line "we're eating pasta (with pesto plus garlic)" from june jordan's poem. it's totally fine if you don't, sorry for being so specific !! :)
do you know, these are my favourite kind of poems and I love that you thought of this line it’s probably one of my favourites lines ever written. these are poems who give me a similar warm feeling:
“West Coast Episode” by June Jordan (“the color of the rug was green / and out beyond the one room / of our love / the world was mostly / dry”)
“In Time” and “Wish” by W. S. Merwin (“and we stood up / and started to dance without music / slowly we danced around and around / in circles and after a while we hummed / when the world was about to end / all those years all those nights ago”)
“Snow and Dirty Rain” by Richard Siken (I'm thinking My plant, his chair, / the ashtray that we bought together. I'm thinking This is where / we live. When we were little we made houses out of / cardboard boxes. We can do anything. It's not because / our hearts are large, they're not, it's what we / struggle with. The attempt to say Come over. Bring / your friends. It's a potluck, I'm making pork chops, I'm making / those long noodles you love so much.”)
“Aubade” by Yanyi
“For Grace, After a Party” by Frank O’Hara (And someone you love enters the room / and says wouldn't / you like the eggs a little / different today? / And when they arrive they are / just plain scrambled eggs and the warm weather / is holding.”)
“On the Back Porch” by Dorianne Laux (“I want to stay on the back porch / while the world tilts / toward sleep, until what I love / misses me, and calls me in.”)
“You made crusty bread rolls” by Gary Johnson (“How simple life is. We buy a fish. We are fed. / We sit close to each other, we talk and then we go to bed.”)
“During the Impossible Age of Everyone” by Ada Limón (“Your shoes are piled up with mine, and the heat / comes on, makes a simple noise, a dog-yawn. / People have done this before, but not us.”)
“when you have forgotten Sunday: the love story” by Gwendolyn Brooks
“Red Brocade” by Naomi Shihab Nye (“Your plate is waiting.” !!!)
“Perhaps the Worlds Ends Here” by Joy Harjo (“The world begins at a kitchen table. No matter what, we must eat to live. (...) Perhaps the world will end at the kitchen table, while we are laughing and crying, eating of the last sweet bite.”)
“This Hour” by Sharon Olds (“Even if we wanted to / we could not describe it, / the end of the second glass when I begin to / weep and you start to get sleepy—I love to / drink and weep with you”)
“Onions” by William Matthews
You may remember my Notion Tips posts, so I am back with more! Notion is not just a note taking and organisation app, here are some other things that can be made with Notion.
Show off your data in charts with Notion VIP charts
Make a website with Potion
Build a course with Float
Noggin is also a course builder
Make Flash cards with Zorbi
Notion Cover Generator
Make HTML Emails
Write Newsletters with Notion(beta)
Add a map to Notion (beta)
Create Automations
Icon Packs
More Icons
Gantt Charts and Embed HTML
Widgetbox App
This Calculator
Add fun Dividers