Labor is prior to and independent of capital. Capital is
only the fruit of labor, and could never have existed if labor had not
first existed. Labor is the superior of capital, and deserves much the
higher consideration.
-- Abraham Lincoln
Comrades,
For months, we've been told to vote. In response to every social,
ecological, and humanitarian concern and criticism: "Vote." But if the
government continues to be unaccountable and indifferent to working
people, even to voters, then what is anyone voting for? Voting won't
be enough.
It's clear that government austerity during the pandemic further
endangered public health and economic stability, and that with or
without a vaccine, strong social spending is the only way forward to
recovery. Trump could have helped people and won votes by writing
checks before the election, but didn't, either out of cruelty or
ineptitude. Joe Biden may make the same choice
(https://jacobinmag.com/2020/11/joe-biden-austerity-coronavirus-fiscal-conservatism-deficit-reduction)
out of devotion to a doomed ideology.
It's obvious that the global climate crisis requires a drastic
response, starting with a reduction in our use of fossil fuels.
Trump's administration ignored science and human suffering in favor of
business interests, and it seems like Joe Biden may be inclined to do
the same
(https://newrepublic.com/article/160253/joe-biden-cant-compromise-rising-seas)
.
These fights aren't over. In fact, they won't have moved an inch.
But the ground may finally be solid enough to stand on — and push.
News and Information
Here's some of the latest news and
information from East Bay Majority (https://eastbaymajority.com/) ,
East Bay DSA's news source with a socialist perspective
** WAKING UP A "SLEEPING GIANT": AN INTERVIEW WITH TRANSIT
UNION LEADER ROGER
MARENCO
------------------------------------------------------------
"We
have been a sleeping giant for the past decades. Nothing happens
without the Muni transit operators in this city."
Read more
(https://eastbaymajority.com/twu-muni-mta-transit-union-election-roger-marenco/)
Featured
Events
While we are still unable to meet face-to-face, events are
still going on that you can be a part of. RSVP below to stay updated.
You can also keep track on our Events page
(http://eastbaydsa.org/events/) .
** (NATIONAL DSA) THE SPIRIT OF BLACK RADICAL
TRADITIONS
------------------------------------------------------------
Today!
November 19 | 4:30–6 p.m.
Online – RSVP for info
(https://actionnetwork.org/events/the-spirit-of-black-radical-traditions/)
♿️
The spirit of black radical traditions, at their best, can turn
the world upside down and help usher in a political economy of
dignity, voice, and decision-making power for working-class
communities. Liberationist streams of black radical spirituality are
as contemporary as Alice Walker’s call for democratic socialist
womanism, as old as Reverend George Washington Woodbey’s Black Baptist
socialism and beyond.
The next discussion in the DSA Religion and Socialism Working
Group's monthly series of webinars will feature Rev. Andrew Wilkes and
Rev. Sekou, artist, author, and public theologian, in conversation
about the ethical and religious streams of the black radical tradition
on Thursday, November 19th at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT. The
conversation will cover origins of the tradition and its implications
for our present moment.
This is a national DSA event. RSVP below for the link!
RSVP
(https://actionnetwork.org/events/the-spirit-of-black-radical-traditions/)
** PHONEBANK FOR THE GREEN NEW
DEAL
------------------------------------------------------------
Tonight!
November 19 | 6–9 p.m.
Online via Zoom
(https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88590518784?pwd=d2hLeDNnc0NKTllMWFMxalk1ZzI1dz09)
♿️
With smoke in the air and uncontained fires raging across the
state, it’s easy to feel scared and defeated. But there are ways to
fight back against the austerity capitalists who’ve gotten us here and
to protect each other from the worst effects of the fires. Join us to
check in on our neighbors and recruit them to work on Green New Deal
Committee projects like:
* Let's Own PG&E campaign
* Mutual
aid, including making and distributing masks
* Green New Deal
Electoral Organizing
* Environmental Justice/Racial Solidarity
*
A Green New Deal for Transit Campaign
No experience is required. We'll show you what you need to have
great conversations with some of the loveliest people in the world:
the ones who've signed up through the letsownpge.org website!
Please email the committee Co-Chairs at
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
with any accessibility questions or concerns.
RSVP
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1515/2020-11-19-phonebank-for-the-green-new-deal/)
** LABOR CENSUS
PHONEBANK
------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday,
November 22 | 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Online via Zoom – RSVP for info
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1633/2020-11-22-labor-census-phonebank/)
♿️
Help the Labor Committee Phonebank Members for the Labor
Census!
We want as many members as possible to participate in this census
so we'll need all hands on deck to call through our membership
list.
The labor census is an initiative to find out more about EBDSA
members and their workplaces.
As a socialist organization, EBDSA needs to be engaged in the task
of building working-class power. There are many ways this can be done,
but organizing ourselves at the point of production is one of the most
effective and it starts simply by meeting, connecting, and talking
with others in one’s industry.
Our chapter’s greatest strength is its membership. At the moment,
many of our members aren’t aware of how they can build our movement
within their workplaces. This is where the census comes in. By finding
out what kind of work our members do, for whom, and what level of
organization exists at their workplaces, we can start to support our
members (unionized or non-unionized) to organize and build power in
their workplaces.
*No experience necessary. Onboarding and training will be
provided.*
RSVP
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1633/2020-11-22-labor-census-phonebank/)
** STEERING COMMITTEE
MEETING
------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday,
November 22 | 2–5 p.m.
Online via Zoom – RSVP for info
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1472/2020-11-22-steering-committee-meeting/)
♿
See how your elected leadership works as we deliberate on current
chapter issues. This meeting is open to all DSA members to observe the
proceedings. Please RSVP for the Zoom link. The agenda is TBA.
RSVP
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1472/2020-11-22-steering-committee-meeting/)
** MEMBER ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE MONTHLY
MEETING
------------------------------------------------------------
Monday,
November 23 | 7–9 p.m.
Online via Zoom – RSVP for info
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1433/2020-11-23-membership-engagement-committee-monthly-meeting/)
♿
We need your help building a strong and active chapter! Join our
next Member Engagement Committee monthly meeting and learn how you can
put your skills to work or grow new ones you never knew you had!
The Member Engagement Committee was created for the purpose of
initiating and sustaining our members' active and healthy
participation in the chapter's work. We cannot grow our movement
without engaging and fostering growth within our current membership.
We strive to grow confident organizers and leaders as well as strong
relationships between comrades in our chapter by supporting all
committees in their work and creating spaces for learning and
camaraderie.
Our committee builds and maintains projects such as (but not
limited to) our mobilizers program, planning and execution of chapter
socials, new member events, and Organizer's Toolbox Trainings, as well
as managing the onboarding of new members. As our chapter grows we
need to grow our efforts with it and would love to welcome new members
to our committee.
Contact us at [email protected]
(mailto:[email protected]) .
RSVP
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1433/2020-11-23-membership-engagement-committee-monthly-meeting/)
** THE ORGANIZER’S TOOLBOX: HOW TO GIVE A GREAT POLITICAL
SPEECH
------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday,
November 29 | 1–3 p.m.
Online via Zoom
(https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81762316242?pwd=MUNRVnY2LytnWGRaWHRuUThNNXcyQT09)
♿️
In this training for DSA organizers, we will explore our
personal stories together, and discover how they inform and support
our political movement. Personal stories are important because they
allow us to identify with each other's experiences, motivate us to
fight for common aims and ultimately build solidarity.
Adapted from Marshall Ganz’s “Public Narrative,” this training will
challenge you to put aside the logical reasons why we need to win a
better world and rather consider emotional & personal reasons.
We'll talk about what makes a story compelling and how stories can be
important organizing tools that bring others into our movement. Then,
we'll each develop and practice our own political speeches
together.
Note: While all are welcome, this event is geared towards
individuals who are already actively organizing with the Democratic
Socialists of America or allied groups.
Suggested reading and watching material (it’s quick!):
* Public
Narrative Participant Guide
(https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pm7Ed3PGmjUQH64JiIsUud3AT5iF7fVm/view)
*
Marshall Ganz: The Public Narrative
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JQlMw_-wg0.)
RSVP
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1613/2020-11-29-the-organizer-s-toolbox-how-to-give-a-great-political-speech/)
** LABOR COMMITTEE
MEETING
------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday,
November 29 | 6–8 p.m.
Online via Zoom – RSVP for info
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1199/2020-11-29-labor-committee-meeting/)
♿
Please join the East Bay DSA Labor Committee for our regular
monthly meeting. It's open to all DSA members who are interested in
getting involved in labor work with their comrades! Learn more about
how to get involved in the committee, our ongoing projects, and
upcoming solidarity actions!
If you'd like to submit an item for the agenda, please email
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .
RSVP
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1199/2020-11-29-labor-committee-meeting/)
** MOBILIZER TEAM
PHONEBANKING
------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday,
December 1 | 6–8 p.m.
Online via Zoom – RSVP for info
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1410/2020-12-01-mobilizer-team-phonebanking/)
♿️
The Mobilizer team’s mission is to build the personal
connections that help DSA members get more involved in our chapter and
politically active. We have one on one conversations with both new
members and existing members of our chapter where we learn about what
drew them to the struggle for socialism and help them think about how
they want to take the next step to get more engaged. In this weekly
phone bank, we call our members and train new Mobilizers how to make
calls. Come help us build a strong chapter and movement while having
great conversations!
RSVP
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1410/2020-12-01-mobilizer-team-phonebanking/)
** (NATIONAL DSA) THEM AND US
UNIONISM
------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday,
November 2 | 5–7 p.m.
Online – RSVP for info
(https://actionnetwork.org/events/them-and-us-unionism/)
♿
Militant, activist, democratic unions: in DSA, we know that's
what we support, but what do such unions really look like? What are
the principles that define them and distinguish them from more
complacent and conservative labor organizations?
Join the Democratic Socialist Labor Commission (DSLC) for a panel
discussion on the United Electrical Workers' (UE) new pamphlet: "Them
and Us Unionism
(https://www.ueunion.org/ue-news/2020/new-ue-publication-outlines-them-and-us-unionism)
." Drawing on the union’s history, "Them and Us Unionism" identifies
the UE’s five core tenets: aggressive struggle, rank and file control,
political independence, international solidarity, and uniting all
workers.
The panel will include UE organizer and former DSLC Steering
Committee member Kari Thompson on the union’s unique history and
philosophy; labor historian and Chicago DSA member Toni Gilpin, author
of The Long Deep Grudge, a history of the radical Farm Equipment
Workers Union (FE); and International Longshore & Warehouse Union
(ILWU) member and current DSLC Steering Committee member Zack Pattin,
whose own union’s history greatly parallels that of the UE experience.
Don’t miss this exciting conversation about class-struggle unionism
and where we go from here!
This event is organized by National DSA. RSVP below for the
link!
RSVP
(https://actionnetwork.org/events/them-and-us-unionism/)
Upcoming
Events
** LABOR CENSUS
PHONEBANK
------------------------------------------------------------
Monday,
November 30 | 6–8 p.m.
Online via Zoom – RSVP for info
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1634/2020-11-30-labor-census-phonebank/)
♿️
See details for the Nov. 22 event above. Help the Labor
Committee phonebank members for the Labor Census!
*No experience necessary. Onboarding and training will be
provided.*
RSVP
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1634/2020-11-30-labor-census-phonebank/)
CATCH UP ON NIGHT SCHOOL
With social distancing guidelines
still in place, now's as good a time as any to catch up on our
Socialist Night School.
Catch up on past night school readings and videos below.
Watch past Night School videos
(https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeMYhhCCTFq1jGdOt6lcF8l7HQJwnJndD)
Catch up on Night School readings
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/night-school/)
Not a Member Yet? Let's Fix That.
DSA now has 80,000 members
nationally, and we're still growing. There's never been a better time
to get involved than right now! Join our national organization by
clicking below and become an official socialist organizer.
Join DSA (http://dsausa.org/join?source=East%20Bay)
Caucus Corner
Our caucuses organize events too! Check out
the Caucus Corner of our website
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/about/caucuses/) to learn more about the
activities of East Bay DSA caucuses and how to participate.
There is one thing you have got to learn about our
movement. Three people are better than no people.
-- Fannie Lou Hamer
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