Kwame Ture on Socialism

In this thought-provoking video, Kwame Ture discusses the concept of socialism and its universal nature, arguing that it is not merely an invention of Karl Marx, but rather a fundamental truth that belongs to all of humanity.

Socialism as a Universal Truth

The speaker begins by addressing the "racist tint" often associated with the origin of socialism, noting that some white left-leaning groups have incorrectly attributed its invention solely to Karl Marx. However, the speaker contends that socialism is a universal truth, much like the laws of physics. Just as Isaac Newton did not invent gravity, but rather observed and formulated its laws, Karl Marx did not invent socialism, but rather articulated its principles based on his observations of the relationship between capital and labor.

The Laws of Physics and the Laws of Socialism

The speaker draws a comparison between the laws of gravity and the laws of socialism. He notes that anyone, anywhere in the world, can observe the laws of gravity and reach the same conclusions as Newton. Similarly, the speaker argues that anyone who examines the relationship between capital and labor will inevitably arrive at the same conclusions as Marx: that capital seeks to dominate labor, leading to a struggle that continues until labor eventually triumphs.

Marx's Contributions to Humanity

While the speaker emphasizes that Marx did not invent socialism, he acknowledges his significant contributions to humanity, particularly in the areas of dialectical and historical materialism. However, he notes that these contributions are often overlooked or ignored.

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Time and Place

The video appears to be from a speech or lecture given in the mid-to-late 20th century, likely in the United States, based on the speaker's references to "America" and the quality of the video footage.

Sources

The video features a speech by Kwame Ture (formerly known as Stokely Carmichael), a prominent civil rights activist and leader in the Black Power movement. The speech is likely from one of his many lectures on socialism and Pan-Africanism.