In This Issue  

 Young Democratic Socialists Update: March 27, 2008

Student Labor Week of Action
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Student Labor Week of Action
Fighting for Student and Worker Rights on Campus
  
Friday, March 28th marks the beginning of the ninth annual Student Labor Week of Action (SLWoA).  The Young Democratic Socialists is joining with United Students Against Sweatshops, Student Labor Action Project (SLAP), Student Farmworker Alliance (SFA), and many other activist groups that week in promoting worker and student rights.  The week celebrates the legacies of migrant worker organizer Cesar Chavez and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and seeks to promote labor activism on campuses.
  
YDS chapters are planning many nationwide actions.  For a list of events, go to the SLWoA Action Grid.  There is still time to plan an event, as the week?s activities run through Friday, April 4th.  Contact YDS at yds@dsausa.org or SLAP at slap@jwj.org for ideas and resources.
  
During this week, YDS is placing its emphasis on immigrant rights.  YDS organizer David Duhalde will be visiting a number of campuses to speak on the importance of solidarity with the immigrant rights movement.  Many chapters will be working with the SFA and the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) for Burger King?s tomato pickers? campaign for justice.  YDS has worked with SFA and CIW on the Taco Bell campaign started in 2001, and the present activity comes out of the National Immigrant Rights Project of YDS?s Activist Agenda.
  
Black and Brown Together
Promising Steps Towards Building a Progressive Majority
 
Democratic socialist analysis connects different forms of oppression to our capitalist system.  For example, the use of racism to divide working people is a classic technique to prop up capitalism.  When workers of all races build coalitions, however, they become a powerful political and social force.
 
David Bacon, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), wrote "Black and Brown Together" about Latino immigrants and African-American trade unionists, activists, and workers forming the Mississippi Immigrants Rights Alliance (MIRA).  This coalition has been able to defeat racist, xenophobic and anti-worker bills in the state legislature, and serves as a model for building a progressive and diverse coalition.
 
To read "Black and Brown Together" from The American Prospect click here.
 
Racism and the Run for the White House
Democratic Socialist Perspectives on the Attacks on Obama and His Speech on Race
 
The past several weeks saw heated discussions of race, religion, gender, and much more in relation to the Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama presidential campaigns.  YDS's online magazine, The Activist, features two pieces by members about race and the Obama campaign.
 
The YDS Anti-Racist Committee wrote this article which addresses the evolution of racist, right-wing attacks on Obama, while YDSer Chris Maisano wrote ?That Obama Speech? which addresses the pros and cons of Obama?s discourse on U.S. race relations.
 
As the 5th Anniversary of the Iraq Invasion Passes
YDS Anti-war Actions the Future of the Peace Movement 
 
As the American troop death toll passed 4,000 - and we can only guess how many hundreds of thousands of Iraqis slain - the recent direct action protests in three major U.S. cities were critical to voicing opposition to the Iraq War.  YDS members joined hundreds of students and other young people in Washington D.C. for Funk the War and other public events that addressed the injustices happening both here and the Middle East.  For photos and an account of the Funk the War event, click here.
 
While direct action serves an important role in showing the potential for organized resistance, YDS believes it cannot be the sole means of ending the war.  Building a mass movement with popular support, especially one that strives to hold elected official accountable, is another essential element in bringing our troops home and returning occupied countries to their citizens. 
 
DSA members Frances Fox Piven, Bill Fletcher Jr. and Stephen Eric Bronner addressed their thoughts on ending the war during "2013 Isn?t Soon Enough: The Anti-War Movement Post-Bush" at the 2008 YDS National Winter Conference.  For highlights of the event, click here.
 
Outside Armed Forces Recruiting Center (Left) and Marching with YDS Banner (Right) from Ben Kreider
 
Want To Get Paid for Being a Socialist?
Apply to be the Next Young Democratic Socialists' National Organizer
 
The Democratic Socialists of America and the Young Democratic Socialists are announcing the job opening for YDS?s national organizer.  With YDS?s growth over the past two years and the exciting promise of a coming left-liberal resurgence, it?s a good time to be a student leader.  The position comes with benefits and regular salary increases.  Start time is the Summer of 2008.  For a full description and responsibilities, click here.  Interested?  Please email a resume and cover letter to fllewellyn@dsausa.org.
 
 
JOIN YDS!  
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