Skip to main content
Donate to the 95 years appeal
On writing as a leftist
From intellectual heavyweights of the academy to organisers like me who have come to the role via a life on the shop floor, writing by leftists must centre communication — and if capable of it, even fun, writes ROGER McKENZIE
RED WRITINGS: Lenin at Work, Igor Reznik, 1970

RECENTLY I have found myself wondering why socialists or communists write as journalists, authors or poets — or any other kinds of writing I’ve missed off the list.

Sometimes I think it has more to do with demonstrating a superior grasp of Marxist-Leninist theory than anyone else. Good for you if it floats your boat to fill page after page with a demonstration of your superior intellect — particularly in non-theoretical publications.

Just let me know in advance so I can put some John Coltrane on to get me through. Coltrane’s Love Supreme possibly accurately describes a love that many of these writers or critics appear to have for themselves.

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
Morning Star and Xinhua Daily meeting
History / 27 September 2025
27 September 2025

A chance find when clearing out our old office led us to renew a friendship across 5,000 miles and almost nine decades of history, explains ROGER McKENZIE

Chinese President Xi Jinping virtually addresses a climate summit, September 24, 2025, at U.N. headquarters
Climate Crisis / 25 September 2025
25 September 2025
Morning Star team in China
Features / 20 September 2025
20 September 2025

ROGER McKENZIE argues that the BRI represents a choice between treating humans as commodities or as equals — an essential project when, aside from China’s efforts, hundreds of millions worldwide are trapped in poverty

A PROMISE RENEGED ON: Let Us Beat Swords Into Plowshares bronze sculpture by Soviet artist Evgeny Vuchetich which encapsules the UN charter. It was presented to the UN in December 1959 by the government of the USSR, it stands in the North Garden of UN HQ in New York Pic: Rodsan18/CC
Features / 18 September 2025
18 September 2025

The colonial mindset behind the governance of the UN is the reason for its inertia when it comes to conflict resolution, argues ROGER McKENZIE – but can China’s Global Governance Initiative point in a new direction of global equality?

Similar stories
AFRICAN HERO: A Walter Rodney poster in Georgetown, Guyana
Features / 20 March 2025
20 March 2025
The Guyanese scholar’s groundbreaking work revealed how Europe deliberately underdeveloped Africa while using its resources and people to fuel Western capitalism, writes ROGER MCKENZIE
REMARKABLE: The Danish writer Karen Blixen as a recipient of
International Women's Day 2025 / 8 March 2025
8 March 2025
With most of recorded history dominated by the voices of men, LYNNE WALSH encourages sisters to read the memoirs of women – and to write their own too
Features / 11 November 2024
11 November 2024
At the start of National Anti-Bullying Week, JONATHAN TAYLOR explains that recognising the signs of bullying is the first step towards being able to do something about it
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer speaks during a reception to
Features / 17 October 2024
17 October 2024
ROGER McKENZIE argues that Black History Month has been sanitised, losing its original purpose of empowering black people through knowledge of their history and struggles to actually go out and fight the battles of today