Why I Joined CPI—And How We’re Building a Movement That Matters

By Gabriela Hernandez

Who I Am, and Why I’m Fighting Back

Hello, my name is Gaby, and I am a proud CPI member. I decided to join CPI because I see so much conflict in America today, with our country deteriorating right before our eyes, and I couldn’t just sit and watch any longer. I joined CPI because I want to empower workers, build a real organization and community, and make a difference in my country. For me, CPI represents hope — a chance to fight for a better future, and not just complain, but build.

How it Started

When I decided to join CPI, I felt out of place in life, with unstable living conditions. I always knew the enemy was the 1%, but I didn't know who exactly to blame… until in 2021, I bumped into a Jimmy Dore video featuring Caleb Maupin, who spoke about his book Breadtube Serves Imperialism. It took a deep dive on how imperialists forces have “deprogrammed” of real movements and gotten our people more focused on cultural issues than politics. It opened my eyes – I was shocked how well Caleb knew his history on these important topics, and I was shocked how these leftist YouTubers he described were able to destabilize young audiences. I became more interested in what Caleb was doing. Soon, I was diving deep into Caleb’s videos like his debates with Destiny and others. I was looking for answers. 

Anti-Imperialism and Learning the Truth

From watching Caleb’s videos, I came to understand how this decaying system of imperialism we live in serves Wall Street and London rather than regular people. The rich ruling class at the top of society are part of the degrowth agenda, telling us the working class just needs to have less of everything. The ultra-wealthy tell us we have to blame human existence for global warming, and the only solution is for the rest of us to pay the price – while they keep their riches.

Hearing this enraged me and made me want to fight back – not with self-destructive street fights or Luigi Mangione-style violence, but with knowledge and community. I realized I was becoming pessimistic in life, thinking all we could do is just work until we die and not fight for anything. To just keep working paycheck to paycheck. But as I learned about imperialism and the damage it causes within our communities, I knew I had to do something about it. Being proud Americans is something that can connect us all in the US. I may disagree with plenty of my fellow Americans – but I know that my enemy isn’t regular American voters. The enemy is Wall Street and the big banks that are part of the degrowth agenda. I want to help regular working people like me realize we aren’t helpless – this whole imperialist/globalist system runs on our backs, and together we have the power to change it.

Being Part of a Team

By October 2021 I was a member of the Center for Political Innovation. Caleb Maupin’s videos kept mentioning the new organization he had founded, CPI, and I was really looking forward to seeing what it was about – so I signed up ready to do real work and build a movement. I remember how much it meant to me, the idea being part of a movement that means something, something worth fighting for in our falling economy. After over three and a half years with the group, I know CPI has my back whenever I need more knowledge about anti-imperialism.

Being part of CPI has been a great journey. In my work with CPI, I enjoy that I am able to be creative. I can go out into the masses of the real working class, learning what works and what doesn’t work in outreach. You should try outreach – going deeper into the masses helps you understand that your neighbor isn’t your enemy; Wall Street and the big private banks are. CPI gives me an opportunity to be a real anti-imperialist. Although we come from all over the country, we work together to build thriving communities in America. Being an innovationist lets me work towards real growth.

My job here is to empower the working class and to motivate you to keep on fighting the fight. To keep digging deeper for the answers. I want this organization to thrive and to have the unspoken to finally find their voice. We need a government of action to fight for working families in the United States of America. I love my country and I will continue to fight for working families in the USA.

WE ARE CITY BUILDERS!

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