In This Issue  

Young Democratic Socialist Update December 14th, 2006
 
FUNDRAISING AND HOUSING TIPS FOR YDS CONFERENCE JUSTICE BEYOND BORDERS
 
UNION SEMESTER
Study, make some money, and join the labor movement!
 
As socialists, we believe that a strong labor movement is a crucial part of the struggle for social and economic justice. Learning about and participating in the labor movent is critical to progressive change.

Union Semester is a study-away program where you can do just that.  You get 16 undergraduate credits in labor studies classes (US Labor History, Contemporary Labor Issues, NYC Culture and Politics and FieldWork) and intern at a labor union. The program is cheaper than a semester at public schools because the union pays for the tuition and awards a small weekly stipend ($200+ per week).  This is great for young people interested in studying away in New York City, working in the labor movement both for now and in the future, and working close to members of the Young Democratic Socialists. 
All the program details are at www.unionsemester.org.
Contact YDS at yds@dsausa.org to be put in touch with the YDS Union Semester contact.
 
FUNDRAISING AND HOUSING TIPS FOR YDS CONFERNCE: JUSTICE BEYOND BORDERS
Start planning now to attend the best conference ever!

Justice Beyond Borders: Democracy and Socialism in the 21st Century is right around the corner this February 16-18th in New York City.  Young Democratic Socialists has helpful tips to fundraise and guides to cheap hostels around the city which you can get upon request.  Limited free housing is available as well.  For more information about the speakers, such as Noam Chomsky, Barbara Ehrenreich, Gayatri Spivak, Christian Parenti, Liza Featherstone, and other conference details check out our conference page: www.ydsusa.org/news/justice-beyond-borders or contact YDS directly at yds@dsausa.org.
 
THE BRIDE WORE BLACK: THE SHOOTING OF SEAN BELL
How the recent NYPD shooting is a tragic repeat of past injustices.
 
The reaction by segments of the public and media to sever the shooting of Sean Bell from institutionalized racism before the full investiagation is a sad indictator how far our society still needs to go to achieve equality.  As democratic socialists, we believe that without social equality we can never have economic equality and that fighting against institutionalized racism must be a cornerstone of our activism.
 
From Keeanga Yanahtta Taylor's article "The Bride Wore Black":
"In many ways, this case is just another example of the racist police terror that grips most of the inner cities in the United States. Police departments in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Dallas, and Philadelphia, to only name the most egregious, have spent the better part of the last two decades locked in corruption scandals from accusations of torture and racism, to drug dealing and murder for hire, to forced confessions and planting evidence, and battling lawsuits against charges of police brutality and police misconduct."
 
For full article available from Black Commentator click:
http://www.blackcommentator.com/209/209_bride_wore_black_taylor_guest.html
JOIN YDS! 
It's easy, it's cheap, and it connects you with other democratic socialist activists around the country.  Click here to read more about why you should consider joining: www.ydsusa.org/getinvolved.html

ADD YDS TO YOUR MYSPACE OR FACEBOOK PROFILE:
FACEBOOK: www.facebook .com/group.php?gid=2205133680   MYSPACE: http://groups. myspace.com/ydsusa

SPAM/JUNK MAIL REMINDER:
To make sure that our updates are not erroneously transferred into a  junk mail folder by your anti-spam program, you should add the following email to your address book or approved contact list: yds@dsausa.org

GOT NEW CONTACT INFO?
Using a new email account?  Got a new mailing address?  Have a new phone number?  Send us your latest contact info. and we'll keep you in the loop.

WANT TO JOIN THE YDS DISCUSSION LISTSERV?
Debate, strategize, and get your learn on with young democratic socialists around the country.  Click here for instructions: http://lists.topica.com/lists/yds-discuss/

KNOW OTHERS WHO WOULD LIKE TO GET OUR EMAIL UPDATES?
Click the "Forward to a Friend" and they'll get this email and can sign up for updates too!