By James Thompson
HOUSTON – On March 6, 2013, the Houston Communist Party had a table at the JSA conference in Houston. The JSA conference was held at the JW Marriot Hotel on Westheimer, across from the Galleria. The table was part of the “political fair†organized to help educate young people about the different political parties and organizations.
The young people showed the most interest in the Houston Communist Party of all the tables there. Also present were the Green Party, NORML, Young Republicans, Houston Peace Council, a Gun Rights organization and an organization calling for an end to the Death Penalty as well as a few others.
The conference attendees were an ethnically diverse group of young men and women. The young people were very engaging and had excellent questions. Some left and then returned to the table with more questions.
There was a lot of anti-war sentiment among the students and most were trying to figure out how to fund their college education.
Most were not aware that it is illegal for Communists to run for public office or hold a state job in Texas and were shocked to learn this. They also learned that by denying Communists the right to run for public office in Texas, they are also denying people the right to vote against Communists. Most agreed that this violated the fundamental principles of democracy.
Several club members were present to answer questions and distribute literature. One club member remarked that it was a great opportunity to counter the negative propaganda that has been aimed at Communists in the USA for many decades now. Although the discussion was lively, there was not a hint of anti-Communism noted in the discussions. We were treated with respect and courtesy. This speaks highly of young people in Texas.
