Of ‘Motorcycle Diaries’ and the People’s Weekly World

>Archive - PWW Print Edition Archive - 2006 Editions - May 27, 2006


 

When Ernesto “Che” Guevara was a young man he set off from Argentina with his friend on a tour to discover South America and himself. He wrote about his experiences, his insights and feelings of humanity and solidarity (and fun) in a journal, which was published and recently made into a stunningly beautiful movie, “Motorcycle Diaries.”

Many of us in the over-35 crowd who saw this movie saw it as a salute to young people and the universality of their high ideals and a tribute to the workers and everyday people of Latin America.

All this from a diary. But that diary also shows the power of the written word.

This reflection comes now because the Young Communist League USA is holding its 8th National Convention in Brooklyn, N.Y., Memorial Day weekend. The People’s Weekly World and Nuestro Mundo enjoy a partnership with the YCL’s Dynamic magazine. These two publications wonderfully complement each other.

We invite all young communists, your friends and allies to think of this newspaper as your 21st-century “Motorcycle Diaries.” Your reflections, news stories, poems and photographs about your experiences, your insights and struggles for a better world are wanted and welcomed.

The People’s Weekly World has been fortunate to have the addition of a whole new group of young writers, photographers and distributors who regularly contribute to this newspaper: Abul Aziz-Hassan, Adam Tenney, Erica Smiley, Jennifer Barnett, Jessica Marshall, Santi Suthinithet and Tony Pecinovsky — just to name a few.

Two Young Communist League members, Dan Margolis and Jose “Pepe” Lozano, are members of our editorial board and play important roles in reporting stories and building our readership. Lozano was added to the editorial board this month, after joining the staff last October. Margolis was recently named business manager, filling a critical position that has been empty far too long. They bring to our collaborative process a commitment to defeating the ultra-right and the Bush administration, and helping to bring about the “third” American Revolution by building international solidarity and labor/youth coalitions fighting for equality, peace and economic justice. They collaborate with the YCL on our new youth column “What’s Really Good.” These young revolutionary journalists joined a tremendous “comradehood” of those who know the power of the working-class pen is mightier than the ruling-class sword. They are on their own “Motorcycle Diaries” journey.

Congratulations to all young people in struggle and to the Young Communist League.

talbano@pww.org