Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 9, No. 1, 1992, Page 23
Several other study groups were going on simultaneously, recruiting from the workplace or
friendship circles. Not all of the study groups were formed around the women’s theme, since
Women and the State was set up to appeal specifically to women who would be drawn to that
particular focus. However, all the groups focused on the study of basic Marxism, U.S.
working-class and labor history, and Third World revolutionary movements. The readings and
discussions were oriented in such a way as to culminate in the neophyte’s deeper recognition
of the need for a vanguard revolutionary working-class party. Study group members learned
through readings and directed discussions that throughout the world this was the proven
means of bringing about social change the victory of the Vietnamese people was given as the
most current example. It followed logically then that membership in such a party was the only
choice for a serious political person wanting to engage in effective political work.
The study group met weekly, in the evenings, reading and reviewing the simpler texts of Marx
and Engels, selected works of Mao and others glorifying the efforts of the Chinese Cultural
Revolution, and articles or books by progressive historians. A portion of the sessions was also
spent on the concept of dialectics (dialectical materialism), with assigned presentations on the
readings or examples of dialectical thinking.
There were perhaps 10 or 12 students at each meeting. Discussions were led by two
teachers usually either one or the other of the teachers was known to each participant as his
or her original recruiter into the study group. Once again it was silently understood that the
study group leaders were getting their know-how from somewhere. But where? It was vague,
mysterious --and very exciting. Study group members had the sense that they were being
observed, watched participation was encouraged and praised members were pushed to
volunteer for a presentation, to give personal examples to help explain something, or even to
join in on an action, such as a local strike picket line. All of this added to a growing sense of
being special, of being part of an elite, of being “chosen.” Suddenly, each recruit had a new
circle of very serious friends ...and something to be kept secret from other friends or family
who weren’t in the circle.
Recruitment Into the “Org”
Some participants fell away from the study groups. Within time, generally about four to eight
weeks, most of those who remained in the study groups were individually approached about
joining the group that was behind all this. Recruiters referred to it as “the org,” explaining
that they had not yet given it a name. Once again recruits were told that these meetings and
discussions were to be kept confidential. A recruit was led to understand that her participation
in and seriousness toward the study group made her stand out as ready for this next step.
This was not for everyone, they said now they were talking about a full-time revolutionary
commitment to something much “heavier” than the study group. It was explained that the
“org” was founded and led by experienced women and that it was the beginning of a
vanguard party here in this country. A recruit would be asked, “Isn’t this what you’ve been
waiting for?”
The Intake Process
At the same time as this next level of courtship was going on, it was made clear to a recruit
that acceptance into “the org” was not a given. Recruits were told that they would undergo a
security investigation, a financial check, and a general personal and political assessment. The
object of this was to find out if a recruit really was who she said she was, that is, to verify
that the recruit was not a police agent. Bluntly expressing this doubt to the recruit served as
an early intimidation tactic. Financial forms were filled out legal documents, such as birth
certificates and passports, were given over for examination to verify identities family,
education, and employment background was requested, either by interview or in writing. All
of this was carried out in lengthy and serious meetings between the recruiter and the recruit.
Simultaneously, a recruit might be questioned about a friend who was going through a similar
Several other study groups were going on simultaneously, recruiting from the workplace or
friendship circles. Not all of the study groups were formed around the women’s theme, since
Women and the State was set up to appeal specifically to women who would be drawn to that
particular focus. However, all the groups focused on the study of basic Marxism, U.S.
working-class and labor history, and Third World revolutionary movements. The readings and
discussions were oriented in such a way as to culminate in the neophyte’s deeper recognition
of the need for a vanguard revolutionary working-class party. Study group members learned
through readings and directed discussions that throughout the world this was the proven
means of bringing about social change the victory of the Vietnamese people was given as the
most current example. It followed logically then that membership in such a party was the only
choice for a serious political person wanting to engage in effective political work.
The study group met weekly, in the evenings, reading and reviewing the simpler texts of Marx
and Engels, selected works of Mao and others glorifying the efforts of the Chinese Cultural
Revolution, and articles or books by progressive historians. A portion of the sessions was also
spent on the concept of dialectics (dialectical materialism), with assigned presentations on the
readings or examples of dialectical thinking.
There were perhaps 10 or 12 students at each meeting. Discussions were led by two
teachers usually either one or the other of the teachers was known to each participant as his
or her original recruiter into the study group. Once again it was silently understood that the
study group leaders were getting their know-how from somewhere. But where? It was vague,
mysterious --and very exciting. Study group members had the sense that they were being
observed, watched participation was encouraged and praised members were pushed to
volunteer for a presentation, to give personal examples to help explain something, or even to
join in on an action, such as a local strike picket line. All of this added to a growing sense of
being special, of being part of an elite, of being “chosen.” Suddenly, each recruit had a new
circle of very serious friends ...and something to be kept secret from other friends or family
who weren’t in the circle.
Recruitment Into the “Org”
Some participants fell away from the study groups. Within time, generally about four to eight
weeks, most of those who remained in the study groups were individually approached about
joining the group that was behind all this. Recruiters referred to it as “the org,” explaining
that they had not yet given it a name. Once again recruits were told that these meetings and
discussions were to be kept confidential. A recruit was led to understand that her participation
in and seriousness toward the study group made her stand out as ready for this next step.
This was not for everyone, they said now they were talking about a full-time revolutionary
commitment to something much “heavier” than the study group. It was explained that the
“org” was founded and led by experienced women and that it was the beginning of a
vanguard party here in this country. A recruit would be asked, “Isn’t this what you’ve been
waiting for?”
The Intake Process
At the same time as this next level of courtship was going on, it was made clear to a recruit
that acceptance into “the org” was not a given. Recruits were told that they would undergo a
security investigation, a financial check, and a general personal and political assessment. The
object of this was to find out if a recruit really was who she said she was, that is, to verify
that the recruit was not a police agent. Bluntly expressing this doubt to the recruit served as
an early intimidation tactic. Financial forms were filled out legal documents, such as birth
certificates and passports, were given over for examination to verify identities family,
education, and employment background was requested, either by interview or in writing. All
of this was carried out in lengthy and serious meetings between the recruiter and the recruit.
Simultaneously, a recruit might be questioned about a friend who was going through a similar
