I get that organizing is important, but I still don't actually know what that entails. Like what am I supposed to do? It's kind of like telling a straight guy who wants to get a girlfriend to just "be himself." So when I see someone complain about the hellworld we live in and a common response is "organize," it feels kinda condescending. Same with "join an org." What org? How do I know which one is good?
Like for real, why isn't there some sort of organizing guide or FAQ on here? There's a recommended routine for body weight fitness and there's even a 14 day primer on getting started (https://old.reddit.com/r/bodyweightfitness/comments/kofo8l/bwf_primer_buildup_community_event_day_1_happy/). So where is the organizing primer? I mean it can start with something really simple, i.e. "on Day 1, say hi to a neighbor if you see them out walking (no need to get into a convo unless it just happens)." Like tbh how about a 14 Day Primer for organizing? Even the radlibs on the Bernie campaign had training sessions before having volunteers do stuff like call, text, or canvass. Even pick-up-artist idiots have training programs (e.g. day 1 talk to a random stranger and ask them directions, just say your phone is dead, etc.). We should have one too.
If you are in NYC I can help set you up with the local DSA. You don’t need to get me your info or anything, I just also have terrible adhd and know the hardest part of doing shit is getting it started.
And before you say it, I know electoralism is a fuck and know it can’t solve all of our problems. NYC-DSA is much more than just that. The reason you associate it so much with electoralism is that we have been majorly successful in getting socialist candidates elected to positions of power which has further improved conditions within our communities and allowed them to organize more effectively. We help empower worker’s unions, tenant unions, and elections are only a very small fraction of what we do. There are even a lot of actual marxists involved with the DSA, quite a few of which have dedicated Marxist caucuses here.
Seriously. I can direct you to where you need to go to get involved. You can pay whatever you want in dues because your time is more valuable than your money. We are trying to build this shit from the ground up instead of from the top down and it’s actually fucking working; for many years the failure of the top down method was the exact reason so many people on the left didn’t get involved. We built up a force here and are finally starting to wield a bit of power.
I know you may have your opinions on whether or not the DSA is a good organization, but unless you’re in a better one, we need you. An organization is what the people who are involved make it. You think DSA is lib? Help me make it Marxist then. You’re dealing with and surrounded by the most easy people to sell the ideals of leftism to.
DSA might not be the answer, but it does bring a bunch of lefties together. In my city there are like 30 left wing orgs of different persuasions but basically all of them have links to the DSA. They're useful for coordinating action. And I really respect that.
:chavez-salute: thank you for your service