The Maoist Detachment of Women

This is a rare pamphlet from 1972, published by the October League (Marxist-Leninist), a Maoist group in the United States. At one point, this organization was officially recognized by the Communist Party of China. The pamphlet is rather short and contains two speeches by OL activists at an OL-organized event on International Women's Day in Los Angeles. One of the speakers is Michael Klonsky, the chairman of the October League.

The speeches are a peculiar blend of largely correct demands for women's emancipation, Communism 101, and breathtaking paeans to the People's Republic of China as a shining example to follow for American working women. Stalin is quoted. The famous Chinese film “Red Detachment of Women” was shown during the celebration. At one point, the speakers attack Ronald Reagan, which made me wonder if the pamphlet had been misdated. But no, it really is Reagan – in his previous incarnation as Governor of California!

OL's analysis of women's oppression is very “pure” in its Marxism. Women's oppression is said to be rooted in economic factors, and all demands presented are economical (they have political implications, of course). Many are suitable demands for labor unions. The plight of Black and other “minority” women is emphasized, but the relation between class, gender and race is not expounded upon at length. What struck me was the complete lack of “feminist” demands, i.e. demands that are specific to women and can't be easily translated into “working class unity” or union struggles. Thus, the OL says nothing about domestic violence, rape, discrimination of lesbians, etc. The closest thing they get to a more feminist perspective is an attack on sexist TV series and a “pornographic” James Bond movie.

I say the official Chinese franchise in LA still had a few things to learn… (They might have considered dropping the Stalin quotes, too. Attacks on Ronnie Jellybean are fine with me, though.)

Not sure how to rate the Maoist Detachment of LA Women, but in the end, I give it three stars.