Young Socialists at Play…
You know, I want to make fun of this, but these kids need clear thinking adults who can head them off from this theoretical cul-de-sac they’re being led into. Anyway: The 2008 Socialist Summer Retreat in New York state, Aug. 8th-10th.
“Saturday was a full day of political and ideological workshops in addition to fun interactive plenaries (and tons of nonpolitical activities, too). We opened with an overview of the tenets of democratic socialism by Joseph Schwartz and Michele Rossi, followed by small group discussions focused on questions that the YDS members had to answer for themselves. This is the beginning process of creating a new YDS cadre who can be tribunes of socialism for themselves and the organization.
“The day saw a good number of workshops on topics ranging from the environment and the current rise of socialism in Latin America to our Activist Agenda (national priorities) of student and immigrant rights. Between excellent panels and internal education one would find YDSers playing sports like soccer and waffle ball, swimming, and just relaxing with one another. The chance to be friends as well as comrades made the weekend exceptional. The only way for our organization to move forward is if we have both political agreement and loyalty to one another. Both were fostered during the retreat.
“The night ended with the plenary ‘YDS and Realities of the Hope’: The Obama v. McCain presidential campaign and building towards and after Election Day.’ Sarah Lawrence professor, former DSA NPC member, and veteran activist Komozi Woodard reflected on previous work by radicals in elections. He stressed how young radicals could use elections as a vehicle for building ties with local communities to create change. Joseph Schwartz touched upon the need to not focus on candidates as individuals, but policy makers…”
Read it all. We need to counteract the propaganda these kids are being fed. They’re just young ‘uns.