Fight Racism at the Local Level
Res #76: Encourage Local Anti-Racist Action
This resolution calls for National to support anti-racist organizing at the chapter level by prioritizing chapter work. It includes provisions to have a bi-annual forum, to provide organizing instruction to chapters based on ground-level experience, and to create a communication platform.
Why Is Build Endorsing This?
Racism Stems from Local Contexts
It’s in the school boards, court rooms, and town halls, not just the White House.
We need to recognize the local roots of white supremacy. This implies the need for a bottom-up reform of social and political political power.
DSA punches above its weight at the local level and can make a huge impact in local government institutions. DSA National should foster this potential.
Anti-Racist Solidarity
DSA needs to be a reliable coalition partner for vulnerable communities.
Anti-racist work is often coalition work. This resolution would encourage DSA to join and grow vibrant local networks of anti-racist organizers.
Getting the goods at the local level isn’t just the right thing to do when it comes to anti-racism. It is a concrete and material way for DSA chapters to be relevant to the most oppressed communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Concern: Racism comes from higher levels of government, too!
Answer: True, but effectively countering that influence at the national level will first take doing grassroots bottom-up work to change policies and build power.
Another answer: This resolution is modest in its asks for organizational resources. It should not interfere with anti-racist work happening at higher levels of government. If anything, the collaboration it encourages should provide a venue for DSA activists to discover ways of acting at these levels.