Everyone makes mistakes (Oh yes, they do).

"[R]evolution is the only form of 'war' – and this is another peculiar law of history – in which the ultimate victory can be prepared only by a series of 'defeats.' ... The whole road of socialism – so far as revolutionary struggles are concerned – is paved with nothing but thunderous defeats. ... Where would we be today without those 'defeats,' from which we draw historical experience, understanding, power and idealism? ... Today, ... we stand on the foundation of those very defeats; and we cannot do without any of them, because each one contributes to our strength and understanding."
— Rosa Luxemburg (from "Order Prevails in Berlin", 1919)

"We have to start learning, and you learn through practice. We have to start making mistakes, and you learn through making mistakes."
— Fred Hampton

Dear Fellow Travelers,
Whatever our materials and topics lack in thematic unity this time, we will surely make up for in SOLIDARITY.
A few weeks ago, historian / very prolific author Vijay Prashad did a podcast that touched upon a lot of specific points that have come up repeatedly in our recent discussions, in addition to its overarching theme of FAILURE and LEARNING FROM MISTAKES. He gives some perspective on how to learn and what to take from past "failed" radical movements (including those most infamous examples that veered into authoritarianism) without just letting the cynicism wash over us (Counterpoint: ...Or is it all just lame Commie apologetics? Let's discuss!).
As you'll hear, he also referred to an essay, "The Tyranny of Structurelessness" by Jo Freeman, which circulated a lot in second-wave feminist and anarchist circles since its publication in 1970. This too develops some of the other themes that have come up in our discussions of anarchist projects, including those which have FAILED, MAY FAIL, or WOULD LIKELY FAIL IF GIVEN THE CHANCE... Let's read and discuss it!
Links below. Remember, everyone is welcome; no need to be an expert (we aren't).

***

VIDEO :

• Vijay Prashad: History Is A Series Of Experiments from the "Letters and Politics" youtube channel
• ( Maybe see also Vijay Prashad on Stalin, USSR & Bourgeois Distortions of History )
• Another prominent 1970s radical's hot take on mistakes

TEXT :

• The Tyranny of Structurelessness, 1970 essay by Jo Freeman a.k.a. Joreen (referenced by Vijay Prashad in the above video)