The NYC chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America has pulled off another stunning upset through Zohran Mamdani’s campaign. An insider shares DSA’s grassroots strategy.
I have been a socialist since I was a teenager in the 1960s. It is incredibly inspiring to see politicians calling themselves Democratic Socialists finally winning important elections. Socialism has always been the only future for humans. Capitalism will eliminate human civilization and possibly the human species, as it makes the planet unfit for human habitation. I am a retired research Quantum Chemist, and I've been following what we initially called global warming for almost half a century. The hour is growing very late.
Great overview of the public coming to know itself and to form itself into an increasingly effective, humane organism, of a sort, via the the DSA in the electoral process in New York and beyond.
Thank you for such a detailed description of NY politics. I need to know more about the DSA charter. What a powerful force of people. Organizations like these can defeat AIPAC and big-money politicians.
As a lifelong New York resident (77 years), with 20 of those in Brooklyn, I would love to see the NYC-DSA continue to succeed and have that success spread throughout New York and eventually the nation. Time is running out, as Nevin Oliphant mentioned in his comment.
The failure of DSA to withhold endorsement of AOC and Bowman is possibly a more powerful political 'normalization' force than the ascendency of Mamdani. But the proof will be in how much he alters his position when (and if) he is elected--and it will most certainly change. Whether he succumbs to the degree of AOC/Bowman remains to be seen.
I saw a video of Jamaal Bowman congratulating biden and saying how much he admired him. So degrading.
Didn't know about his paid trip to the Zionist entity and meeting netanyahu. Another negative. Just a flip flopper. Deserved to lose. Free free Palestine 🇯🇴🇯🇴🇯🇴
1. Branding: A huge more than 30 year investment and campaign has been successful in demonizing the world “Socialism” in the U.S. A more broadly appealing and contemporary term is “People 1st.” As in “People 1st Policy,” and “People 1st Agenda.” It’s time to focus on the big tent values and not the label.
2. While the need for member accountability is real, the bigger need is for the development of public owned and public facing systems that measure, track, and communicate progressive people 1st political accountability. Extending the mantle beyond a group and its members.
Thank you for this article. For me, what's most important is the issue of idealistic clarity. We are criticized by the MSM as"small tent" but having a big tent means diluting our ideals to the point where we can't call the reality of genocide what it is. We must maintain our ideals.
Read the whole, long, excellent article. Wishing DSA strength and luck. But, the use of the term "comrades" always makes my face pucker up as it is so closely associated with communism. I don't know nearly enough about communist philosophy, but it's pretty obvious that governments who identify as communist are intolerant and repressive.
Incredibly well-written article that describes an impressive long-term organizing effort!
Bravo! Inspiration and insight at exactly a time when we need both, thank you!
I have been a socialist since I was a teenager in the 1960s. It is incredibly inspiring to see politicians calling themselves Democratic Socialists finally winning important elections. Socialism has always been the only future for humans. Capitalism will eliminate human civilization and possibly the human species, as it makes the planet unfit for human habitation. I am a retired research Quantum Chemist, and I've been following what we initially called global warming for almost half a century. The hour is growing very late.
Great overview of the public coming to know itself and to form itself into an increasingly effective, humane organism, of a sort, via the the DSA in the electoral process in New York and beyond.
Thank you for such a detailed description of NY politics. I need to know more about the DSA charter. What a powerful force of people. Organizations like these can defeat AIPAC and big-money politicians.
Really outstanding and illuminating article, thank you!
Well done and congratulations Michael, this is a great piece! Thank you for continuing to fight the good fight.
Loved every detail in this article ✊ More inspired than ever to stay engaged with NYC-DSA (meeting Tuesday evening) + with the Mamdani campaign
As a lifelong New York resident (77 years), with 20 of those in Brooklyn, I would love to see the NYC-DSA continue to succeed and have that success spread throughout New York and eventually the nation. Time is running out, as Nevin Oliphant mentioned in his comment.
The failure of DSA to withhold endorsement of AOC and Bowman is possibly a more powerful political 'normalization' force than the ascendency of Mamdani. But the proof will be in how much he alters his position when (and if) he is elected--and it will most certainly change. Whether he succumbs to the degree of AOC/Bowman remains to be seen.
I saw a video of Jamaal Bowman congratulating biden and saying how much he admired him. So degrading.
Didn't know about his paid trip to the Zionist entity and meeting netanyahu. Another negative. Just a flip flopper. Deserved to lose. Free free Palestine 🇯🇴🇯🇴🇯🇴
Nice piece. A couple of thoughts:
1. Branding: A huge more than 30 year investment and campaign has been successful in demonizing the world “Socialism” in the U.S. A more broadly appealing and contemporary term is “People 1st.” As in “People 1st Policy,” and “People 1st Agenda.” It’s time to focus on the big tent values and not the label.
2. While the need for member accountability is real, the bigger need is for the development of public owned and public facing systems that measure, track, and communicate progressive people 1st political accountability. Extending the mantle beyond a group and its members.
Thank you for this article. For me, what's most important is the issue of idealistic clarity. We are criticized by the MSM as"small tent" but having a big tent means diluting our ideals to the point where we can't call the reality of genocide what it is. We must maintain our ideals.
Read the whole, long, excellent article. Wishing DSA strength and luck. But, the use of the term "comrades" always makes my face pucker up as it is so closely associated with communism. I don't know nearly enough about communist philosophy, but it's pretty obvious that governments who identify as communist are intolerant and repressive.