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Miss Goldman is a communist; I am an individualist. She wishes to destroy the right of property, I wish to assert it. I make my war upon privilege and authority, whereby the right of property, the true right in that which is proper to the individual, is annihilated. She believes that co-operation would entirely supplant competition; I hold that competition in one form or another will always exist, and that it is highly desirable it should. But whether she or I be right, or both of us be wrong, of one thing I am sure; the spirit which animates Emma Goldman is the only one which will emancipate the slave from his slavery, the tyrant from his tyranny - the spirit which is willing to dare and suffer.

Voltairine de Cleyre#28

FreedomPoliticsCommunismCourageIdeologyIndividualism

About this quote

What does it mean?
The author disagrees with Goldman on property and competition but admires her courage to challenge tyranny.
In plain terms
We disagree on economics, but I respect your bravery in fighting against oppression.
What can you take from it?
Ideological differences can coexist with mutual respect for shared values like liberty.

Where it applies

  • political debates
  • activist alliances
  • personal disagreements

Putting it to work

  • building coalitions
  • respectful discourse

Questions to consider

  • Can we agree on action despite different theories?
  • What defines true solidarity?

Another view

Deep ideological divides may prevent effective collaboration.

More from Voltairine de Cleyre

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  2. Among the fundamental likeness between the Revolutionary Republicans and the Anarchists is the recognition that the little must precede the great; that the loc…

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  3. Humanity can not be made equal by declarations on paper. Unless the material conditions for equality exist, it is worse than mockery to pronounce men equal. An…

    Permalink to quote #26

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