Join us for a four-part discussion of the R. Palme Dutt text, “Fascism and Social Revolution.” This book was written in 1934 and through the text we intend to learn how capitalism creates crisis, how the crisis creates fascism, how we can analyze fascism, and why socialism is the only peaceful solution to the crisis. This is an extremely relevant text to our present moment and will help us in our own understanding and when talking to others about the current situation.

For the first session, we are reading selections from Chapter 1 and 2. We’ve selected the most essential parts of this book and reduced the page count by half. This is intended to make the reading more accessible for attendees but it is encouraged to read the entire two chapters if you can!

Reading selections:

Chapter 1, Technique and Revolution Section 1 – 4 (pg. 21-45)
Chapter 2, The End of Stabilization Sections 1 – 2 (pg. 46-57)

Refer to the study guide for relevant reading resources and guiding questions and discussion: https://docs.google.com/document/d/17OTih76i93hYdj4qiqDV-qAsuRTqeb0UMcwpBOWpXfs/edit?usp=sharing

Register for the virtual reading group: CLICK HERE

Wilmington Democratic Socialists of America condemns, in the strongest terms, HR 10186, the so-called “Mace Bill,” designed specifically to discriminate against transgender employees of the federal government by restricting bathroom access. WDSA recognizes that this bill is part of a larger trend aimed at breeding hatred against a marginalized group, targeting democratic Congresswoman Sarah McBride, and further dividing the American working class. Some assume the tide of anti-trans sentiment in this country is propelled by personal bigotry. This ignores the backdrop of this prejudiced trend, rising in response to growing class consciousness. As displeasure with American corporatism grows, ideologues who fear class war force culture war issues into the mainstream. HR 10186 stands as a prime example. It attempts to make Americans concerned with their neighbor’s genitals despite the deeply weird connotations. Representative Nancy Mace appears more interested in using slurs against protestors than substantive policy. She seems eager to stir up divisions rather than address the genuine concerns of the working class. Unfortunately, such bizarre bills will become more common and serious as time passes, requiring a unified response. We call on all North Carolina representatives to speak out forcefully against this bill. North Carolina once answered the call to strike down the largely reviled “bathroom bill,” and can do so again. The Democratic Socialists of America stands with our trans community, and we urge all to speak out and do the same. However, it is unlikely that words alone can reverse these attempts to use transgender people as a distraction from the failings of American capitalism.

Anti-transgender bigotry will not be defeated by Republican fearmongering or Democratic class-blind liberalism but by grassroots working-class parties such as the Democratic Socialists of America. We call on all progressive people to join in building this party and forming a more committed front against bigotry and for working-class interests.

The incoming Trump administration promises a daily onslaught on the state’s capacity to build the future we’re fighting for, which is why our strategy makes more sense than ever. DSA will be organizing to protect people and fight strategic battles, while not losing sight of the long-term horizon we’re building toward in our communities. We will continue to build power on the local level alongside unions to win public goods for the working class, such as social housing, robust transit, and union-built renewable energy. Read on for our end-of-year recap!

Building for Power campaigns

Our last huddle of the year focused on our two social housing campaigns: Metro DC’s Green New Deal for Housing and NYC’s House the Future. Comrades from these chapters presented on their campaigns that provide a plan for truly affordable social housing that also prioritizes a move away from fossil fuels by retrofitting existing buildings and ensuring that new buildings are electrified and near transit. Along with providing much-needed housing, these campaigns would also bring good union jobs to each city. The discussion that followed made it obvious that our chapters across the country are all experiencing a housing crisis in their cities and there is a huge need to make robust social housing a reality. View the presentations.

Stay tuned in 2025 when we will be meeting on a quarterly basis to hear updates from all our active B4P campaigns. We currently have 8 campaigns across transit, public power, social housing, and public spaces:

Louisville Get on the Bus
Chicago Fix the CTA
Los Angeles Power Mass Transit
Milwaukee Power to the People
Metro DC We Power DC
Metro DC Green New Deal for Housing
NYC House the Future
St. Louis Green New Deal for Public Schools

If you’re thinking about starting a Building for Power Campaign in your chapter, fill out the interest form to let us know!

Brewing in Texas

A huge shoutout to Austin DSA for hosting a Public Power Town Hall that brought together over 70 attendees passionate about a just renewable energy transition. With participation from key labor and community leaders and elected officials, the discussion highlighted the intersection of climate action and workers’ rights. Dozens of rank-and-file union members attended, sparking conversations about the future of labor and renewable energy in Austin. These are exactly the kinds of coalitions we need to build to win a Green New Deal, and we’re excited to see this campaign take off.

We’re also excited to see the revitalization of Houston DSA’s Ecosocialist Working Group, formally approved by the chapter at this month’s general body meeting. Our comrades have been meeting to research their local terrain and discuss possible campaign demands, and creating excellent educational content along the way.

Stay tuned: all signs point to ecosocialists across Texas building their power in 2025.

What’s next for the Green New Deal

If you missed the panel at this year’s Socialism conference An Ecosocialism that Builds: What’s Next for the Green New Deal?

It is well worth your time to hear about rebuilding the labor movement with eyes on May Day 2028, with unions like UAW leading the charge. DSA’s post-election mass call Workers Deserve More: Organizing for 2025 is also worth your time. We know multiple crises are converging and the coming years will be difficult, but we will weather the inevitable storms by protecting each other and building power to win the future we deserve.

See you in the new year, comrades, we have a world to win!

Charlotte Food Not Bombs (FNB), an organization we have collaborated and share cross membership with, recently released a statement platforming allegations of sexual violence. These allegations regard an individual involved in several activist spaces in our city.

Charlotte Metro DSA stands in solidarity with FNB in their pursuit of restorative justice for the survivor(s) as they come forth. Our organization has zero tolerance for sexual assault and harassment and will refuse to work with anyone credibly accused of such—or the organizations which uncritically harbor them. We recommend that everyone check out @clt_food_not_bombs on Instagram for details on the developing situation and how to support the survivor(s).

As a reminder, per DSA's Resolution 33, we have a grievance policy in place to seek justice for survivors and hold perpetrators accountable in our organization. If you would like to file a grievance or learn more about our process, please check out https://charlottedsa.org/grievance-policy.

As socialists, we recognize sexual violence as an outgrowth of patriarchy, itself one of the principal ways our capitalist society divides the working class and furthers our collective exploitation. The fight for socialism is inseparable from the fight for women's liberation. We have to look out for our comrades and allies by fostering welcoming and inclusive organizing spaces. This will require us to seriously reflect on how we can set an example of feminist community and organization as we fight for the overthrow of class society and its systemic perpetration of patriarchy.

In solidarity,

Charlotte Metro DSA Steering Committee