The authors motivate in favor of Resolution 1 for the 2024 YDSA National Convention. In a vulgar plea for assistance from the colonizer Cecil Rhodes, after whom the colonial entity Rhodesia was named, Theodore Herzl, one of the founders of political Zionism, wrote in 1902 that the Zionist project is “something colonial.” This description of…
The Author motivates for Resolution 22: “Class-Struggle Internationalism” at the 2024 YDSA convention. Genocide in Palestine and the fight against the U.S. military-industrial complex have put international issues at the forefront of our organizational vision. Yet, for the longest time, we have avoided politically committing to a distinct vision. Resolution 22 “Class-Struggle Internationalism” seeks to…
This article argues for a yes vote on Resolution 10: “Fighting for Victory in the Heart of Empire.” The structure of our international organizing has been hotly contested within YDSA. Each of the last three conventions have yielded two opposing resolutions on how our committee should be structured. This year is the same with R10:…
This article argues for the passage of Resolution 24, “Budget Autonomy for YDSA.” For much of their term, the National Political Committee of DSA has focused on balancing DSA’s budget. A decline in DSA’s membership threatened the long-term financial health of DSA as dues payments were no longer able to keep up with the organization’s…
This piece argues against the passage of Resolution 24, which would initiate an exploration of YDSA being separately incorporated from DSA. Resolution 24, “Budget Autonomy for YDSA,” asks that DSA’s budget and finance committee, alongside the NCC and NPC, explore the possibility of YDSA being separately incorporated from DSA. However, it is clear that this…
The author motivates in favor of the amendment to Resolution 16. “Ecosocialism Beyond the Green New Deal” for the 2024 YDSA National Convention. Degrowth is an objective necessity. The struggle for a democratically planned economy which keeps material and energy throughput within planetary boundaries is our only hope for confronting the full scope of the…
The Activist presents highlights from the 2024 cochair debates for the national leadership of YDSA. The candidates present their visions for the next year of organizing and discuss their answers to the hottest questions facing DSA and the left at large. Elections will be held on July 22nd during the annual national YDSA convention.
This article argues for a yes vote on Resolution 23: “For an Independent Youth International Committee.” This past year, YDSA’s international work has been carried out through the International Committee–Youth Leadership Committee (IC–YLC), a subcommittee of DSA’s International Committee (IC). The IC–YLC is a limited 10-person body, with members nominated by the YDSA’s National Coordinating Committee…
The author motivates in favor of Resolution 5 for the 2024 YDSA national convention. Over the next year, YDSA’s organizing for Palestinian liberation must be bold and lead with a positive vision. If we want to win our demands—the full disclosure and divestment of our colleges from Israel, a ceasefire in Gaza, and complete academic…
In recent years, YDSA chapters have adopted imperative mandates for their convention delegations, mandating that they vote for resolutions and national leaders in ways that reflect their chapter’s stance. While this process aims to engage more members in our internal decision making, imperative mandates weaken national conventions and undermine our organization’s democracy. What is it?…
