Introducing the Black and Red Slate

Introduction…

The Democratic Socialists of America is undergoing a massive shift in public image, not only on the local chapter level, but nationally. With movements like Occupy ICE elevating both activist and leftist groups to the national discourse, and people vying for political office proudly declaring themselves socialists (and winning because of it, not in spite of it), the DSA is primed, more than any other openly leftist organization, to take advantage of this turning tide and affect large-scale social change, not only in moving the country further left, but in fighting for the democratic principles we all stand for. The national organization, of course, has already been going to great lengths to ride this red wave; however we all know better than anyone that the DSA shines best on the local chapter level — with comrades who know and trust each other, and who regularly work together to make real, tangible political and social change for their communities. It is from the ground up that change occurs, and it is from the ground up that we will grow as an organization.

The Orange County chapter of the DSA has both the means and ability to shine like other chapters, and to elevate the ideas of leftism and social justice within our county, just like any other local chapter. There is nothing keeping us from providing mutual aid and support to our own communities. All that is needed is the right direction, guiding principles, and core foundation to ensure we always stand for the people, first and foremost.

In saying that, it is the honor of the Orange County Libertarian Socialists Caucus to announce the Black and Red Slate for the OC DSA 2018–2019 steering committee.

Who we are…

The Black and Red slate are members and organizers who, while not all libertarian socialists, are interested in the ideals of horizontalist organizing, and aim to ensure that these ideals continue to drive how we operate our chapter. It is among our fundamental beliefs that for a leftist organization to thrive, it must thrive because the people drive it, not because a steering committee dictates it so. By our running for the steering committee, we hope to shape our chapter to be one that encourages members to have an active stake in what is happening, and to always feel welcome to bring new ideas to the table. Furthermore, it is our goal to further our organizing potential beyond what we have already done, and further embolden others who either share our ideals or can come to believe in them.

We intend to hold ourselves to this standard with seven guiding principles that will dually act as promises to the members of our chapter.

Our goals…

1) Labor solidarity

Most everyone can agree a socialist organization is nothing without solidarity and organizing with the working class. The rights of workers is the cornerstone of any leftist movement. And yet, despite the fact that we are increasingly seeing attempts by laborers to organize, most notably Disneyland resort workers, our involvement in these spaces has been slim to none — not even as attendees to these meetings. Our slate hopes to change that in the coming year by connecting our chapter with local unions, providing assistance during strikes and other union-led events, and possibly co-hosting events with unions who share our vision. It is imperative that we create these connections if the chapter aims to create any meaningful change in the county.

2) Improve communication

We with the Black and Red slate aim to make communication between the chapter and its members as clear and transparent as possible. In the past, it has sometimes been difficult to know when the next event takes place, how to get involved, or even how to potentially start your own project with the greenlight of the OC DSA membership. Because of this, it has been hard for people to want to stay involved. The members of the Black and Red slate will work to improve our communication by making it so no matter what approved channel of ours you are on, you know how to get involved and who to talk to.

3) Build camaraderie

As has already been stated, the DSA as a whole is in the best position it has ever been to substantially grow its membership. However, such a task must begin at the very start of a member getting involved. Members should know and feel the people they organize and go to committee meetings are their comrades all the way through. More than this, we want our members to feel empowered to organize in their own capacity, among their own neighborhoods and communities, and know that their contribution has meaning. The Black and Red slate will aim to build this camaraderie by creating more new member socials, new zines, and even develop the under-construction “How to Be a Good Comrade” guide. On top of this, we hope to promote more skillshares from the Mutual Aid committee, and other activist projects. With this focus, we hope to create a much more lively, active membership who gets excited at the prospect of getting involved with us.

4) Antifascist action

Let’s make one thing clear — fascism is not, and should not ever be welcome in any leftist space. A leftist organization fails if fascism is ever made to feel welcome and safe within its spaces. Fascism is an ideology that cannot be simply debated out of existence — it requires constant vigilance, pressure, and counteraction to be opposed effectively. No one more than this slate understands this — that is why we are committed to continuing antifascist resistance both in Orange County and beyond, and promise to ensure that fascism will never be welcome in our communities. We will give no quarter to fascists.

5) Proper fund management

Our slate aims to formalize fund management for the OC DSA by creating an official bank account, provide digital payment options, and increase our transparency for where funds go. On top of this, our slate hopes to increase the amount of materials and funds coming in with the webstore a member of our very own slate, Adam Robberson, currently manages. None of this can happen unless we finally become serious about incorporating our chapter. Doing so should be a priority for any chapter, and ours should be no exception. It is with that in mind that our slate hopes to finally make this happen and get our chapter incorporated.

6) Continue our shared vision

While the Black and Red slate comes predominantly from our LSC, we stand firmly by the principles of DSA being a large-tent organization. As such, we promise to continue what is already working within our chapter, and ensure people of all left tendencies feel able to organize effectively. Our shared goals of improving people’s lives should be what drives us all, regardless of where we fall on the left, and the activities we engage in should be welcome to anyone sincerely interested in promoting the ideals of leftism and social justice.

7) Increase organizing opportunities

While there are many committees already in existence in the OC DSA, it is important we provide more ways for people interested in our chapter to organize. Not everyone is interested in the same activities, and some members have specific talents that are otherwise not being utilized in the committees that currently exist. As such, our slate promises to encourage and even create more committees that will allow people of multiple backgrounds and skillsets to get involved and to organize to the best of their abilities. There is no such thing as a useless comrade — only a useless organization that does not enable and empower them to utilize their talents.

Meet your slate!

On top of preparing statements to the general public, the members of our slate also want to meet the people of the OC DSA one-on-one! As such, we have scheduled a social outing to occur September 16th, 2–4 PM, at Hart Park in Orange, CA. We would love to get a chance to meet some of you, answer any questions you might have, and let you all see where we’re coming from. We will have food and nourishment provided, and we will also have a barbecue station. More details will be released for this as the date comes closer!

However, for now, please feel free to read what our candidates have to say, and why they are running.

For the position of Chair…Byron Lopez
“As Chair of our chapter, I will work to ensure and promote our democratic decision making process, horizontal organizing process, and socialist identity separate from progressive liberal organizations. As a member of the Libertarian Socialist Caucus, I have made these priorities central to my organizing. For example, as part of the LSC, we introduced democratizing amendments to our bylaws to ensure accountability in both the steering committees and ad-hoc committees. Also, I will work to better connect us to our fellow chapters in California in order to coordinate on state-wide issues. There is also a need for better security measures to protect our members as our organization grows in size and becomes a target for liberal opportunists and right-wing provocateurs.

For the position of Co-chair…Curtis Franklin
“First, we must expand our efforts that counter the alienation inherit in our society. We should share more of our knowledge, resources, and time with each other. Second, we must educate and organize those outside of our chapter by empowering them to organize themselves. Last, we should proactively and fiercely oppose all white supremacists and agents of state violence. I have a clear vision of the progress we can make over the next year if we work together, and I believe I am able to facilitate that work well.”

For the position of Secretary…Sarah Letham
“Hello Comrades,
I have been in the OC DSA for a year and am running for the position of Secretary of our branch. As Secretary of OC DSA, I would establish a comprehensive communication strategy, with the aim of making sure all members are informed without being overwhelmed by communications. I will coordinate social media and mailings. Coordination and communication are vital elements of our important work in the community and I will manage these effectively so that we can keep our members and the public aware of our work.”

For the position of Treasurer…Nick D’Andrea
“Hello friends.
I am running for the position of treasurer and, if elected, I hope to help streamline all financial issues related to the chapter and help gather information and resources necessary to incorporate our chapter so that we may have more financial freedom. I am running in general because I would like to help this chapter grow in both size and power and make Orange County DSA the leading anti-capitalist force within the county.
In solidarity,
Nick”

At-large members…

Adrian Reyes — “I am running to be an at-large member of the steering committee to guarantee that our chapter continues on the correct path foward. I have been an active member of the Democratic Socialists of America for a full year now and have witnessed the growth in our membership and capabilities. I am a full time student, worker and dedicated socialist. The Democratic Socialists of America is the organization that has and will continue to raise class consciousness in America which is the number one priority of any socialist organization.”

Adam Robberson — “I’m running for one of the At Large Member positions on the OC-DSA’s leadership committee. I’m new to organizing, but am excited to share my energy & experience with the chapter. In the position I plan to organize an Agitprop Working Group for our chapter to build media skills, starting with a regularly scheduled art/writing workshop. By having an established production group, we will be able to represent our chapter better in person & online, with the side benefit of raising funds to support the chapter’s other programs.I’m glad to be running as a part of the Red & Black Slate because I trust them each to give good advice & help do the work.”

Jordan Hoiberg — “I am standing for election as an at-large steering committee member because of the suffering caused by capitalism I witness on a daily basis working with Orange County’s unhoused population. My work at the Orange County Catholic Worker has allowed me to develop experience organizing with a grassroots anticapitalist organization, pushing me to engage with other community organizations on projects, work with the homeless and advocates on political advocacy actions, and pursue legal advocacy with public interest minded lawyers. Furthermore, my work as an outreach and engagement specialist for the Illumination Foundation provides me with insight into the culture and organizational tactics pursued by more traditional nonprofits.
As an at-large steering committee member, I would use my time representing OC DSA members to strengthen our mutual aid projects and commit to organizational development. Mutual aid projects allow DSA to illustrate the failures of capitalism while simultaneously demonstrating alternatives modes of community organizing and engaging the general public in class struggle. This is why I have devoted a significant amount of my time working with DSA toward organizing our homeless relief efforts, our work the May Day collective, and the administration of the wage justice workshop.
To effectively accomplish our goals, it is also necessary for the steering committee to effectively execute its administrative duties. This is why I worked with other members of the libertarian socialist caucus to develop amendments to our bylaws that would help increase organizational transparency and efficiency. As an at-large steering committee member I would work to further these commitments to organizational transparency. In particular, I would work to create a uniform structure and procedural guidelines for new member engagement and intake which would ensure that prospective members can quickly and easily find a place in OC DSA that suits their gifts and interests.
Furthermore, I would work alongside the Public Law Center to determine how best to incorporate OC DSA and pursue incorporation. Incorporation would potentially provide structure, encouraging transparency, and could serve as useful vehicle to raise and disburse funds to various projects. These commitments to mass organizing and mutual aid are commitments shared by a number of other steering committee candidates leading us to develop a slate with a platform that could both guide and grow our organization over the next year.
Please vote red and black!”

Ben Melville — “Hello all! My name is Ben (they/them/theirs), and I am running for the position of an at-large steering committee position. I’ve been actively involved with DSA for a while now, and have been given so much opportunity by the members and committees in this organization to organize, get involved, and empower myself. Now, I want to give back to the organization that has given me so much. If elected for the steering committee, I will work to embolden and empower people the way I was, and work tirelessly to provide an open, welcoming place for all potential comrades.”

DSA-LSC Orange County

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Libertarian socialist values, decentralization of power, and community action are the future of democratic socialism. Radical and intersectional.

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