‘The current system isn’t working.’ Socialists and communists see room for growth in Michigan

Communist and socialist groups in Michigan say a growing resentment of the status quo is bringing more people around to their ideas.

Once viewed as un-American and even dangerous, communism and socialism look like better alternatives to young people worried about converging threats of inequality, climate disasters, police brutality and fascism. Anti-capitalist groups in Michigan say the “Red Scare” has passed; calls for social justice and economic reform are sparking a rediscovery of America’s long relationship to radical leftist movements.

“That’s always a question that comes up with conservatives, like ‘who radicalized you into being a socialist?’ Growing up in America in the 21st century,” said Andy Argo, chair of Socialist Part of Michigan’s Kalamazoo chapter. “Everyone my age or younger, all we’ve known is consistent recurrent economic collapse.”