Building Tomorrow Together: The Value of DSA Community in Challenging Times
In an era when democratic institutions face mounting threats, the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) offers something invaluable: a space where people can come together not just to resist deteriorating conditions, but to actively build a better world. This combination of practical organizing and genuine community provides essential support for personal well-being and effective political action.
Walking into your first DSA meeting can feel like finding an oasis in a desert of political despair. Here are people who not only share your concerns about the direction of society but are actively working to change it. Whether it’s your local DSA chapter’s mutual aid program, tenant organizing efforts, or labor solidarity initiatives, you’ll find concrete ways to channel your anxiety into action.
The mental health benefits of joining DSA extend far beyond political engagement. Research consistently shows that feelings of powerlessness contribute significantly to depression and anxiety – feelings that are particularly acute when witnessing the rise of antidemocratic movements. DSA membership offers a powerful antidote through collective agency. Rather than doom-scrolling through news alone, you’re working shoulder-to-shoulder with comrades on tangible projects that make a real difference in your community.
“In times like these, it’s pretty easy to feel alone. Joining DSA, attending meetings, coming to social events, all of these have helped me see that I’m not actually alone. There are people out there who value solidarity, equality, and democracy, and DSA is where they connect with each other.”
– Anonymous, member since 2024
The structure of DSA chapters combines social connection with political purpose. A typical month might include formal organizing meetings, but also movie nights, shared meals, or informal gatherings where members can relax and build genuine friendships. These social bonds strengthen the organization’s political work while providing vital emotional support. There’s something profoundly comforting about knowing that your concerns are shared by others who are willing to work alongside you for change.
The physical aspect of DSA gatherings shouldn’t be underestimated. In an age of increasing digital isolation, coming together in actual spaces to both socialize and organize creates connections that online interaction simply can’t match. Whether you’re planning a campaign, joining a reading group, or sharing a potluck dinner, the simple act of being physically present with others who share your values helps combat the alienation that makes authoritarian movements possible.
DSA’s democratic structure provides members with genuine agency in shaping both the organization and its initiatives. Unlike traditional political organizations where decisions come from the top down, DSA chapters empower members to propose and lead projects they’re passionate about. This participatory approach not only leads to more effective organizing but also helps members develop practical skills in leadership, project management, and collective decision-making.
The intergenerational nature of DSA provides unique opportunities for learning and growth. Newer members can learn from those with decades of organizing experience while bringing fresh perspectives and energy to the organization. This creates a living tradition of solidarity and collective action, where knowledge and skills are constantly shared and refined.
Working within DSA also provides an important counter to the feeling of historical inevitability that authoritarian movements try to create. When you’re actively building alternatives – whether through mutual aid networks, tenant unions, or labor organizing – you demonstrate in practice that other ways of organizing society are possible. Each successful project, no matter how small, becomes evidence that collective, democratic action works. The regular rhythm of meetings and actions helps maintain hope and purpose, while the concrete achievements of collective work provide tangible evidence that change is possible.
“I joined DSA because I was tired of feeling powerless to stop the world from getting worse. The moment when you commit to joining an organization – to doing politics together with other people rather than simply thinking the right thing – is such a powerful one. Working with comrades has given me hope and prepared me to be a better member of the society we hope to build.”
– Luke, member since 2018
DSA chapters also serve as crucial hubs of information and rapid response in times of crisis. When communities face threats – whether from hostile legislation, corporate exploitation, or direct attacks on vulnerable populations – DSA members learn to work together to properly analyze the moment, and develop tactics and strategies that drive successes, rather than simply respond in a way that is itself status quo.
For many members, DSA becomes not just a political organization but a central part of their social world. The friendships formed through shared struggle and celebration create bonds that extend beyond political work. These relationships provide emotional sustenance during difficult times while strengthening the organization’s capacity for long-term organizing.
Joining DSA offers a powerful combination of political engagement and personal connection that’s particularly vital in challenging times. By bringing people together in physical spaces to both socialize and work toward concrete political goals, DSA provides the community, agency, and purpose that people need to maintain their mental health while building effective resistance to anti-democratic movements. The path to a better world isn’t found in isolation but in coming together with others to actively create the future we want to see.
Final Election Results in CA + City, State Prepare for 2nd Trump Term
Thorn West: Issue No. 221
State Politics
- A new state legislative session has begun. Both houses have adopted new rules that reduce the amount of bills a member may introduce: from from 50 to 35 in the Assembly and from 40 to 35 in the Senate.
- Though Republicans gained a few seats in the state legislature, Democrats have maintained their supermajority in both houses.
- Several close House races across California have finally been called, with the results favoring Democratic Party candidates. The final split in the House of Representatives will be 220-215 in favor of Republicans.
- The special legislative session called for by Governor Newsom to “Trump-proof” California met for the first time this week. So far, it has introduced legislation to set aside $25 million for potential legislation against the Trump administration (a move which does not require that the legislature be called).
City Politics
- This Saturday, several of DSA-LA’s successfully endorsed candidates for local office will sit with DSA-LA members running for organizational leadership in 2025 for a panel discussion on “what our roadmap to a Los Angeles for the working class looks like in the year ahead.” Click here to find out more or to RSVP (note that this event is only open to DSA-LA members in good standing).
Labor
- Starbucks Workers United is entering a critical phase in contract negotiations, and is organizing solidarity flyering events nationwide. In Los Angeles, DSA-LA is organizing a flyering event on Sunday, December 15, at 2 pm, at the Starbucks at 3785 Wilshire Boulevard. (For more info, email: labor@dsa-la.org)
Immigration
- StreetsblogLA goes into depth on LA’s new “sanctuary city” ordinance, placing it in the context of the attempts to implement such a law, which have run into the LAPD’s unwillingness to be democratically controlled. The final version of the ordinance was put into effect by a unanimous City Council vote this week.
- Though both the city and state have announced intentions to fight the Trump administration’s stated intention to conduct dystopian levels of deportations, there may be no way to stop the planned construction of a new detention facility that the Immigration and Customs Enforcement wants to build in the state.
NOlympics
- Outgoing City Council President Paul Krekorian has been appointed to lead LA’s newly created “Office of Major Events,” which will oversee, among other things, the Olympic Games in 2028. More from Torched.
- The LA Metro Board has sent a letter to incoming President Trump, asking him to set aside $3.2 billion to fund transportation projects, specifically in support of the Olympics.
Local Media
- A former editorial writer for the Los Angeles Times explains the motive for his recent resignation: the ongoing heavy-handed interference of the paper’s billionaire owner, Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, on behalf of the hard right Trump coalition.
Environmental Justice
- LA Public Press spoke with several local experts on the potential impact of a Trump administration on the city and state’s climate policy.
The post Final Election Results in CA + City, State Prepare for 2nd Trump Term appeared first on The Thorn West.
Socialist Night School Materials
Links from our Socialist Night School training and other links to materials that NPEC feel is helpful for chapters to set up their own basic Socialist Night School program.
Previous SNS Training Recordings
Catalogue of our other recorded trainings
Reasons Why We Do Political Education
What is Democratic Socialism materials
Why the Working Class materials
Chapter Created Materials and Other Resources
If you have any other questions or inquiries about materials, please email us at politicaleducation@dsausa.org, and if you’d like an NPEC member to help troubleshoot any chapter Political Education issues or help you set up a political education committee, please Submit a mentor request using this form.
Broad-Based Organizing & Sacred Values | Aaron Stauffer
Updates on Palestine
Ohio currently holds a substantial 262.5 million dollars in Israeli Bonds. This is a significant financial tie to a country that is under international scrutiny for its actions in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. On February 14th, Toledo passed a Ceasefire resolution. Lucas county has chosen to not purchase new Israeli bonds for the time being, but Cuyahoga county is struggling to convince their city council otherwise. Attorney general Dave Yost intervened and shut down a resolution proposed in June of this year calling for any additional investments in Israel, citing Ohio law which makes it illegal for businesses which receive state funding to boycott, divest or sanction Israel. This was passed in 2016 and then again amended in 2022 to include universities that are not public.
Pursuant to Ohio state law, state entities cannot divest interests in Israel. Ohio Revised Code Section 9.76 prohibits the university from divesting any interests in Israel and prohibits adopting or adhering to a policy that requires divestment from Israel or with persons or entities associated with it.
I hope coalitions in the area begin to understand we cannot simply gather for rallies or protests without making our demands clear. This has typically come in the form of requesting for an arms embargo and an immediate ceasefire but this past year has explained to us that our officials are genuinely not interested in empathizing with a country under occupation and struggling to survive in a genocide.
Going forward, I would highly recommend that we begin to act as a single entity on this issue and create an actual pressure campaign focused on very specific targets. Ohio unfortunately is one of the largest offenders of using tax dollars to fund Israel but we can also consider this a very strategic location in our approach to our organic boycott target. Instead of focusing our efforts towards Starbucks and Coca Cola we need to be more deliberate in our approach to better chokehold these targets.
The above listed is the current BDS list for the listed targets for their ties to Israel. Until these companies come forward and condemn their funding and connections to Israel, these should be our targets. In a capitalist world under conglomerates and monopolies, all consumption is unethical. While we can debate the companies off this list we need to use our efforts to create a focus.
Cincinnati is home to P&G HQ, an incredible offender in terms of funding the genocidal machine that is Israel. So, while it is not listed above, this should be our organic local target. To be frank, I spent a couple of days trying to create a loose pamphlet cross referencing all the products owned by P&G and recommended alternatives, but their products amassed in the 100s. While I believe this could be a reasonable solution, to reinforce the simplicity and success of execution, I would highly recommend we simply shop store brands. If at Kroger, buy Kroger’s products, at Aldi’s the likewise, etc.
I would like to reach out to local coalitions and request they specifically host their rally in front of P&G HQ just to build public awareness on that front, where we all hold signs of specific brands we will be boycotting. I would love to bring to the attention of the body the idea of recalling city council members who aren’t willing to stand in solidarity as a power move on our behalf and to hopefully establish that trend across the US. Maybe we are best off targeting whoever requires the lowest number of votes.
No Greenwashing Genocide
The Democratic Socialists of America rejects all efforts to greenwash genocide including the hosting of the COP29 conference in Azerbaijan. COP29 is the United Nations Climate Change Conference for all signatories of the Paris Climate Accords. This institution should be an opportunity to create international cooperation to combat climate change. As exposed by the devastating impacts of climate change in Hurricane Milton and Hurricane Helene, it is more important than ever that the world come together to combat climate change.
This type of collaboration cannot be possible in Azerbaijan, a nation committing ethnic cleansing of the Armenian people and providing Israel with the energy required to commit its genocide of the Palestinian people.
In September of last year, the Azeri military invaded Artsakh, an ethnically Armenian de facto autonomous region in Azerbaijan, killing and injuring hundreds and displacing thousands after intense shelling. That was the culmination of years of Azerbaijani aggression including its invasion in 2020 and imposition of a blockade in 2022. Since then, with Artsakh lost, Azerbaijan now attacks Armenia itself claiming ownership of Armenian towns. This genocide is enabled by the United States, which provides Azerbaijan with hundreds of millions of dollars in “security assistance.” Further, the US pet state Israel hosts military bases inside of Azerbaijan and provides nearly 70% of Azerbaijan’s weapons.
As Azerbaijan attempts to complete a second Armenian genocide, they also play a significant role enabling the US and Israel’s genocide of the Palestinian people. The aforementioned export of Israeli weapons to Azerbaijan bolsters the Israeli economy and military industry, and Azeri oil represents more than a quarter of Israel’s oil imports. This is not to mention the intense environmental damage committed through Israel’s relentless bombing on the entirety of Gaza and across the region.
Obviously, this does nothing to combat climate change. The U.S. Military-Industrial complex with tentacles around the world is the greatest contributor to climate change humanity has ever seen. The US, Israel, and Azerbaijan’s use of environmentalism is merely a means to cover up the crimes they commit. For centuries colonial projects have established narratives of environmental emptiness to justify colonial expansion and dispossession of indigenous people from their land. The Zionist project’s century-long claim to “make the desert bloom” exemplifies this simultaneously removing Palestinians from their land, justifying the expansion of a settler colonial project, all while committing enormous environmental destruction.
DSA rejects all attempts at international cooperation against climate change premised on colonialism, disposession, and genocide. We commit ourselves to heed the BDS National Committee and other Palestinian’s call to organize for an energy embargo on Israel and endorse the call to free Armenian political prisoners held by Azerbaijan. Free Palestine. Free Armenia.
DSA has launched a campaign #StopFuelingGenocide targeting Chevron’s complicity in apartheid and genocide in Palestine. Given Chevron’s status as Israel’s largest natural gas supplier and Azerbaijan’s position as a major oil supplier, this is the most effective way to build the campaign towards an energy embargo on Israel. Use and share these links to sign our petition pledging to boycott Chevron and get involved in the campaign.
The post No Greenwashing Genocide appeared first on DSA International Committee.
Tell Common Council to Pass a People-First Budget
November 9, 2024
This coming Wednesday 11/13, Common Council will be voting on the City's budget. Conservative Common Council members are introducing amendments that would defund and eliminate essential city services like youth programming and critical infrastructure. We're calling for Common Council to reject these cuts and pass the budget.
These cuts would completely paralyze the city’s ability to do its basic functions: repairing streets and sidewalks, promoting affordable housing and supportive services, and providing childcare for young children and working families. Not to mention, they would reverse so many of the progressive initiatives we have fought for these past few years. Here are some examples:
Defunding of a city attorney position would disrupt the city's ability to enforce regulations that serve residents' interests, like stopping apartments from being turned into AirBNBs.
Defunding the city's health insurance would make it even harder for working class people to run for local office
Defunding the city's contribution to dozens of nonprofits who provide essential services which include food banks, childcare, support for senior residents, and legal aid.
We are calling on members of Ithaca DSA to join us this Wednesday at 5:30 PM at City Hall (108 E Green St, Ithaca) and tell Common Council to reject austerity amendments and pass a People-First Budget. The people first budget implements:
Substantial funding to address homelessness
Planning how to implement reparations for Black Ithacans
Low-cost improvements to winter sidewalk maintenance
These amendments are capitalizing on the legitimate concern Ithacans are feeling about higher taxes, but they're false solutions and the costs will be borne in working people's lives. Our DSA-endorsed council members have identified and proposed cost-saving cuts of half a million dollars for unfilled staffing positions in the police department. Right now, the City is planning to unnecessarily tax residents for positions that have been unfilled for years.
In Solidarity,
Ithaca DSA