Joe Sims

Joe Sims

Joe Sims is co-editor of the Communist Party USA newszine Peoples World. He is the son of the late Joseph Sims and Roz Sims of Youngstown Ohio.

Beijing conference

Joe Sims, CPUSA co-chair, gave the following presentation at the “Contemporary Marxism: Development and Innovation in Theory and Practice” conference in Beijing hosted by the CPC’s International Department.

Dear comrades,

"At its very heart, Marxism is a science of what is new and becoming. This conference, “Contemporary Marxism: Development and Innovation in Theory and Practice,” therefore, could not be more timely and important.

Change today occurs with ever-blinding speed, oftentimes outpacing humanity’s ability to consider its impact and consequences. Capitalism is constantly revolutionizing the process of production — adding, subtracting, destroying, and innovating — while bringing into being new processes in its drive for maximum profits. Artificial intelligence and big data, the internet, and social networks are taking these developments to new heights.

Keeping pace with these developments, anticipating their impact on the working-class and people’s movement, is a mandatory requirement for the communist and workers’ parties.

The 21st century has, on the one hand, brought with it an increasingly interdependent and interconnected world in which each and every increase in the productive forces brings the workers and peoples closer together, making more relevant by the day Lenin’s call for the “workers and oppressed peoples of the world to unite.” At the same time, transnational capital’s production relations push mightily in the opposite direction. Adding to these are climate change, unprecedented health pandemics, and the arms race.

And through it all, the class struggle continues, uninterrupted. Indeed, it’s no exaggeration to say that the class and democratic struggle grows with ever-increasing ferocity as imperialism and U.S. imperialism in particular seek to regain lost ground and resolve their crises at the expense of the poor and the oppressed.

In the United States, these interlocking crises have combined to create a new political moment, one filled with both great danger and opportunity. This danger is revealed by the growth of a neo-fascist mass movement led by the ex-president that attempted to retain power by illegal unconstitutional means, including inciting an insurrection on January 6th. But broad, all-people’s anti-fascist democracy so far has proven more resilient and, driven by its own mass movement, elected a new governing coalition that is attempting to implement basic reforms in domestic economic and social policy.

But this process too is extremely contradictory, particularly with respect to foreign policy. Here it appears that U.S. imperialism, at least so far, retains its old features as it pursues a new Cold War against China and other countries ruled by communist and left parties, along with retaining its hostility toward Russia.

In the face of this, China continues to chart an alternative path, one of domestic growth, international cooperation, and mutual advantage. Its economic and social successes demonstrate the correctness of seeking a path to socialism based on China’s unique culture and history.

In the U.S. we too seek a socialism based on U.S. conditions, history, and culture, founded on people’s democracy and workers’ struggle, one we call Bill of Rights Socialism. What is new in the U.S. today is that the socialist idea is growing in strength and is blossoming into a socialist moment.

It is our earnest hope that our unity of action be based on this new moment, that we adequately recognize its import and collectively nourish and strengthen it by focusing on the workers and people’s need for real change.

We wish the participants in the conference every success.

With warm comradely greetings,"

Joe Sims Co-Chair CPUSA.

African American Equality Commission

CPUSA reforms the African American Equality Commission

Conveners Joe Sims, Zenobia Thompson, Eric Brooks

March 30, 2021

With reformation of the African American Equality Commission, CPUSA signals renewed focus on the Black community and anti-racist struggles

At the request of the National Committee of the Communist Party USA (CPUSA), and building on the February 28, 2021, online event, “We’re Not Going Back! 2021 annual celebration of African-American culture and struggle,” on March 4, 2021, a convening committee was created to help reorganize the African American Equality Commission, CPUSA (AAEC).

The AAEC will support the CPUSA National Committee, clubs, and members in maintaining a focus on outreach and recruitment in the Black community, help the CPUSA strengthen the theoretical framework for a Marxist/Leninist understanding of the current struggles of the Black community in the USA, and spotlight struggles to improve Black living conditions.

The AAEC will encourage a party-wide dialog on the importance of infusing anti-racism and anti-misogyny issues into every struggle in which we participate, maintaining a special emphasis on the struggles of Black women.

On March 9, 2021, the first African American Equality Commission online meeting took place, in which a vital discussion ensued, committing to produce a report to the next NC meeting on the reformation of the AAEC, and to meet regularly going forward. The next AAEC meeting is scheduled for April 6, 2021.

The AAEC stands in solidarity with all people of color and workers globally fighting to meet their needs for food, housing, education, jobs, unionization and worker power, cultural activity, healthcare, and a healthy environment, and to end racist and misogynist violence. We stand against the destruction wrought by the capitalist exploitation of humanity and of the environment.

The AAEC is composed of members of the Communist Party USA focused on and supportive of the struggles of Black people in the United States against racist and political repression and violence, economic and physical. Its leadership includes many Black folks who are both long-term and newer members of the Communist Party USA, and friends.

Party member

Joe Sims, section chairman for the Young Workers Liberation League in Washington, D.C., attended the Communist Party USA's extraordinary conference , Milwaukeee, April 1982.

Communist Party co-leader

In June 2019 Joe Sims and Rossana Cambron became co-leaders of the Communist Party USA.

"WE’RE NOT GOING BACK!"

"WE’RE NOT GOING BACK! Annual celebration of African American culture and struggle".

The defeat of Trump’s coup must be celebrated. The forces of reaction tried by legal maneuvering and brute force to steal the US presidency, but were unsuccessful. For the second time since 1980, the extreme right-wing of the monopoly capitalist class has lost its control of the US political landscape. We are at a turning point on the road to freedom. The movement to defend and expand democracy has made powerful steps and must continue pushing forward.

Keynote Speaker: Professor Gerald Horne

Panelists will include: Rossana Cambron, Communist Party USA*, Hon. Robert Jackson, New York State Senate*, Tamika Mallory, Until Freedom*, Rev. West McNeill, NYS Poor People's Campaign* / NYS Labor-Religion Coalition*

Performers will include: Emi Augustine, Game Rebellion*, Len Xiang, independent artist

Chaired by Susan DiRaimo, PSC-CUNY* & Christian Parra, Citizen Action NY*

The Host Committee (partial list) Zakiyah Ansari, Michael Arney, Kazembe Balagun, Kazu Bernstein, Bianca Cunningham, Bernard Cylich, Susan DiRaimo, Ava Farkas, Pat Fry, Diana Harris, Joel Hertzog, Nova Lucero, Beatrice Lumpkin, Ana Melendez, Marina Metalios, Dr. Gerald Meyer, Charles Mohan, Radhames Morales, Dr. Mark Naison, Estevan Nembhard, Cameron Orr, Cheryl Pahaham, Dr. Mary Louise Patterson, Ibrahim Pedrinan, Carmen Quinones, Carol Ramos, Hon. Carmen De La Rosa, August Scott, Michael Shulman, Joe Sims, Toni Smith, Dominick Tuminaro, Jarvis Tyner, Janice Walcott, Jason Walker, Jorel Ware, Matthew Weinstein, Jawanza Williams.

Supporting Democrats in 2018

Commies fighting for Democrats

In 2018, Communist Party USA leader John Bachtell worked on Lauren Underwood's campaign for the 14th District, as discussed with Communist Party USA comrades Joe Sims and Scott Hiley.

In an article posted at CPUSA.org on November 26 2018, John Bachtell wrote further on supporting democrats.

Communist youth festivals

Sims had the opportunity to participate in World Federation of Democratic Youth festivals in in Berlin, Moscow and Pyongyang.

At the first festival I was 15 years old. It changed my life and way of thinking. I had such a great time! I would go and sit on corner in Berlin with a beer and hot dog and immediately there would be a crowd of people around me, wanting to talk and exchange views. What a party. I made many friends there, some of which I still have today. At my first Festival I was a young kid from Youngstown, Ohio. That was all I knew. Going to the Festival opened up a whole new world to me. Its impact was lasting. It made me an internationalist. The highlight of my trip to Berlin was crossing the border into the eastern part of the city and seeing the decorations and banners of the festival, the red flags waving, and statues of founders of socialism. All of us cheered. The US delegation has changed over the years I went. Each moment represented the times, cultures and styles of the period. When I first attended I had a big unruly Afro. At the last Festival, my hairline had already started to recede. That's life!

What remained consistent however was the broad and representative nature of each delegation. There were always young trade unionists, students, young Democrats, socialists and communist youth. Some delegations had representatives of prominent civil rights families, like the King family, and others had elected officials. All the delegates represented a strong desire for peace and understanding and solidarity with others. At the Moscow Festival our slogan was "The friendship of young generations, can bring peace among nations.

A U.S. State Department official was once quoted as saying that the Festivals were “the greatest plot ever hatched from the mind of Stalin. Nothing could be further from the truth. The Festivals came out of the experience of the World War and the desire to make sure nothing like that ever happens again. The Festival movement’s greatest contribution has been to bring forward young peace and solidarity supporters who remain active over the years. Once you attend a Festival, the experience never leaves you.

CPUSA Organization Commission

As at March 1994, the following were members of the Organization Commission of the Communist Party USA: Sam Webb, chair; Pat Barile; Judith LeBlanc; Carole Marks; Elena Mora; Esther Moroze; and Joe Sims.

Black Radical Congress

In March 1998 “Endorsers of the Call” to found a Black Radical Congress included Joe Sims, Communist Party USA; Editor, Political Affairs.

In 2000 Joe Sims was the New York United contact for Black Radical Congress.

In 2001, the Black Radical Congress journal BRC Today editorial board consisted of Jennifer Hamer, Connie White, Deborah Toler, Clarence Lang, Joe Sims and Nelen Neville.

Endorsed Communist Party Call

On March 30 2002 the Communist Party USA paper People’s Weekly World called for a national holiday in honor of late Farm Workers Union leader Cesar Chavez. The article was followed by a long list of endorsersincluding Joe Sims, Almost all endorsers were confirmed members of the Communist Party USA.

Political Affairs

In 2009 Joe Sims was Publisher and a member of the Editorial Collective of Political Affairs, theoretical journal of the Communist Party USA.

"The Life & Legacy of Nelson Mandela"

Tuesday, December 17 2013, the Communist Party USA held a special People's World teleconference presentation on the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela. People's World co-editor Joe Sims and Communist Party International Secretary Emile Schepers with host Dee Myles discussed "this historic and global figure in the fight for freedom".

Joe Sims has traveled frequently to South Africa since the unbanning of the African National Congress and the South African Communist Party , and has written and reported extensively on South African developments. Sims is From Ohio and lives in New York City.

Peoples World 2015

• Editorial Board Co-editors - Joe Sims, Sue Webb, Terrie Albano, John Wojcik
• Mundo Popular - Rossana Cambron, Barbara Russum
• Labor Editor - John Wojcik
• Managing Editors - Barbara Russum, Blake Deppe
• Business Manager - Jenn Delgado
• Technology Coordinator - Earchiel Johnson
• Copy Editor - Eric Gordon

African American Equality Commission

In July 2015, Members of African American Equality Commission CP USA FaceBook group included Joe Sims.

Beyond Shell Shock

Beyond Shell Shock: Labor after the Trump disaster was hosted by Freedom Road Socialist Organization, Sunday, February 26 at 8 PM - 9:30 PM.

Hosts Bill Fletcher, Jr.; Erica Smiley; Bob Master; Neidi Dominguez; Bryan Proffitt; and Jeff Crosby;

Join us in this webcast to take a hard look at the place we're in as a labor movement - and consider how we can make the labor movement be a leading force in the resistance to Trump and the fight for a better world.

What's our strategy? What kinds of alliances do we need? Do we just play defense?

In the face of National Right to Work, vicious attacks on workers of color in and out of the workplace, escalating divisions in the AFLCIO and the Democratic Party, and more we've got our work cut out for us. Let's figure out how to win.

Those invited included Joe Sims.

New member phone bank

New member phone bank Public · Hosted by Communist Party USA.

Saturday, April 15, 2017 at 11 AM - 4 PM EDT

Your living room

We're organizing a phonebank to our new members on Saturday and we need your help. The callfire service allow you to make the calls from home, using your smartphone, laptop or deskstop. You'll get a real charge from talking to them! Aint' nuthin like it!! Please click "going" if you can make calls! Thanks!

Those saying they went, on Facebook included Joe Sims .

United Socialists initiative

United Socialists initiative is a Houston based Facebook group, run mainly by the Communist Party USA, but open to other leftist tendencies.

This group is for left unity. All factions of leftists welcome for open debate and forum discussion

United Socialists initiative closed Facebook group, as of December 13, 2017.

Admins and moderators

• Brett Clarkson, created group on June 23, 2017
• Bernard Sampson, Houston, Texas
• Kaitland Rios, Arlington, Texas
• Hobie Hukill, Highland Park High School
• Alvaro Rodriguez
• Joe Sims, New York, New York

References

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