I don't think we go in "clandestinely". I was talking about Marx's letter to Arnold Ruge. I kind of figured you would click the link to figure out what I was talking about. Here it is: http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1843/letters/43_09-alt.htm
"For this problem only expresses at the political level the distinction between the rule of man and the rule of private property. hence the critic not only can but must concern himself with these political questions (which the crude socialists find entirely beneath their dignity). By demonstrating the superiority of the representative system over the Estates system, he will interest a great party in practice. By raising the representative system from its political form to a general one, and by demonstrating the true significance underlying, it he will force this party to transcend itself – for its victory is also its defeat." [1]
For Marx, in Germany at the time, some struggles were happening in the context of the "political state." Marx is saying, in Germany, at this time, we have to take an interest in those struggles. We look at the situation and ask ourselves, what is the most progressive side in the struggle? We take that side and _realize_ those aims.
When it comes to identity politics, the most progressive side in the struggle is not with the likes of Todd Gitlin, Walter Benn Michaels or even Nancy Fraser (as Linda Alcoff helpfully explains). Since talking about his views is 'streng verboten', I'm not going to. But my original commentary in the passage I quoted you in my last email to you? That commentary was saying, if we take a side in identity political struggles, then it's not the side of Todd Gitlin and others. I think taking their positions on this issue is reactionary. You'll have to watch my blog for an explanation as to why I think Gitlin and He who shall not be named and (if I feel like it) even Nancy Fraser are reactionary political positions.
shag
[1] There's nothing in there that's about being clandestine. For the record, I'm not talking about that Marxist sect, possibly affiliated with SDS?, that saw their task as going into union towns and becoming factory workers so they could agitate. I was exposed to those wankers growing up, and though I'm sure they meant well, AFAIAC, they did more damage than good.
http://cleandraws.com Wear Clean Draws ('coz there's 5 million ways to kill a CEO)