BE REALISTIC, DEMAND THE IMPOSSIBLE: REVIVING DEMOCRATIC, SOCIALIST, AND YOUTH ACTIVISM
Dates: Friday, February 15 - Sunday, February 17
Location: Bayard Rustin HS; 351 W. 18th Street [directions]
On this page you will find information about the conference program, speakers, housing, limited travel scholarships, and more. We encourage campus groups to plan ahead and apply for financial support from their schools as early as possible. Contact us if you have any questions, want to volunteer at the conference, or need help with fundraising or transportation needs. You can reach us at yds@dsausa.org or 212-727-8610.
POLITICAL CONTEXT
The slogan “be realistic, demand the impossible” inspired many during the 1968 student and worker uprising in France. At home, as they do today, young American progressives marched for civil rights and against the war. Four decades later, young radicals are still involved in the struggle for a peaceful and just society. Progressive social movements are encountering newfound opportunities, creating optimism not seen since the 1960’s. The deterioration of our domestic Right and the rise of the democratic socialist project in Latin America are tied to a growing blowback against authoritarian corporate globalization.
While we have cause for optimism, we cannot afford to be idle - for nothing is written in stone. The likes of CNN’s Lou Dobbs present a potential new form of reactionary and authoritarian capitalism, but we must remember the political and social change from the 1950’s to 1960’s was hard to predict and impossible to ignore. The role of young people and students will be just as important in the coming period. This conference will give people the tools and knowledge to be effective freedom fighters and movement builders in the years to come.
For us to create long lasting radical change we must revive a youth movement that is both democratic in foundation and socialist in orientation. Such a visionary youth movement connected with the broader progressive movement shall make the impossible a reality. Let’s begin the conversation today that will bring about the victories of tomorrow.
FEATURED SPEAKERS
Conference workshops and panels will feature organizers and trainers from the anti-racist, feminist, youth, queer, trade union, and anti-war movements, as well as noted activist scholars from the democratic left, including:
MANNING MARABLE
Manning Marable, is an American political scholar. He holds the position of Professor of Public Affairs, Political Science, and History at Columbia University, where he founded and directed the Institute for Research in African-American Studies. He has published widely, and is politically active in a variety of progressive causes. His current project is a biography of the black rights activist Malcolm X., entitled Malcolm X: A Life or Reinvention. He was recently elected Chair of Movement for a Democratic Society (MDS), the incorporated non-profit arm of Students for a Democratic Society. Marable sits on the Board of Directors for the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN), a non-profit coalition of prominent public figures dedicated to utilizing hip hop as an agent for social change.
BILL FLETCHER, JR.
Bill Fletcher Jr., former President of TransAfrica Forum, former co-chair of United for Peace and Justice, founder of the Black Radical Congress, as well as longtime trade union activist, and former Education Director of the AFL-CIO. He is also co-author (with Fernando Gapasin) of the forthcoming book on the crisis of organized labor, Solidarity Divided, to be published by the University of California Press in late spring 2008. Member of Democratic Socialists of America, YDS’s parent organization.
STEPHEN ERIC BRONNER
Stephen Eric Bronner, Distinguished Professor of Political Science and Comparative Literature at Rutgers University and author of the new book: Peace Out of Reach: Middle Eastern Travels and the Search for Reconciliation. His other works include Blood in the Sand: Imperial Fantasies, Right-Wing Ambitions, and the Erosion of American Democracy and Socialism Unbound. He is the Senior Editor of Logos: A Journal of Modern Society and Culture. Member of Democratic Socialists of America, YDS’s parent organization.
Frances Fox Piven
Frances Fox Piven, is widely recognized as one of America’s most thoughtful and provocative commentators on America’s social welfare system, political scientists, activists, and educators. In the 1960s, Piven worked with welfare-rights groups to expand benefits; in the eighties and nineties she campaigned relentlessly against welfare cutbacks. A veteran of the war on poverty and subsequent welfare-rights protests both in New York City and on the national stage, she has been instrumental in formulating the theoretical underpinnings of those movements. She currently teaches at the Graduate School of the City University of New York, author of The War at Home: The Domestic Costs of Bush’s Militarism, Poor People’s Movements, Why Americans Don’t Vote, and The New Class War, and Honorary Chair of the Democratic Socialists of America.
NANCY FRASER
Nancy Fraser, is a professor of Political Science at the New School University in New York. A noted feminist thinker concerned with conceptions of justice, she argues that justice is a complex concept which must be understood from the standpoint of three separate yet interrelated dimensions: distribution (of resources), recognition (of the varying contributions of different groups), and representation (linguistic). Her previous books include Unruly Practices, Justice Interruptus and, with Judith Butler, Drucilla Cornell and Seyla Benhabib, Feminist Contentions. In addition to her many publications and lectures, Fraser is also the editor of Constellations, an international journal of critical and democratic theory.
JOSE LALUZ
Jose LaLuz, Vice Chair of the Democratic Socialists of America. While at AFSCME, union of public secotr employees, Jose LaLuz led one of the largest organizing drives in the trade union movement and is regarded as the principal strategist in the fight for passage of public sector collective bargaining legislation in Puerto Rico, which paved the way for the unionization of more than 120,000 public employees.
PLANNING YOUR TRIP / FUNDRAISING / GETTING TO NEW YORK CITY:
People come to YDS conferences from all over the country. If you are coming from out of town, it is important to plan your trip as early as possible. We’re committed to ensuring that everyone who wants to come to “Be Realistic, Demand the Impossible” is able to attend. We’re offering travel scholarships and housing accommodations for those coming to NYC by plane, bus, car, or train (more info below), on a limited, first-come, first-served basis with preference given to YDS activists. However, we highly recommend that you fundraise to help cover costs. Click here for great tips on travel planning, economizing and fundraising, from getting cheap plane tickets, hosting events to raise money, to hitting up your student government for funds. Please remember that plane tickets are typically cheaper the further in advance you purchase them and that Student Government Associations often require plenty of advance notice if you are requesting special funds from them. Do plan ahead!
CARPOOLING - NEED / OFFER RIDES TO NYC?
If you are within driving distance of New York City and are in need of a ride, let us know and we can check to see if others planning to attend in your area can offer you one. If you have extra space in your vehicle, please let us know. We encourage you to carpool to the conference with other friends and activists. There will be space on the on-line registration form to offer or request rides.
HOUSING ACCOMMODATIONS IN NEW YORK CITY:
We are working to provide out-of-town conference goers with free housing. If you live in New York City, or have friends/family that can house additional conference attendees, please notify us. Here is a link to affordable hostels in NYC.
REQUESTING HOUSING OR TRAVEL SCHOLARSHIPS:
You can request or offer housing assistance and/or travel scholarships once the on-line registration forms are available (by Jan. 1st). YDS has a limited budget to help subsidize travel costs. Preference is given to YDS members and those wanting to start YDS chapters. If you request a travel scholarship, please fill out the appropriate information on the registration form or contact us at the email address below with your details. We will respond to you shortly to let you know if your scholarships request has been granted and how much financial assistance YDS can provide.
REGISTRATION & COSTS:
Registration costs for the entire conference will be based on a sliding scale of $30 - $60. Special consideration for low-income individuals will be made with priority given to YDS members and those starting chapters. On-line registration forms will be available by Jan. 1st. Registration fees include conference materials, admission to all conference sessions, the plenary talks, and Saturday night party.
FEB. 15-17 IS A THREE-DAY WEEKEND!
“Be Realistic, Demand the Impossible” takes place during President’s Day Weekend. The conference opens Friday evening, February 15th and goes until Sunday, February 17th. The Monday afterwards is a national holiday. Please keep this in mind when planning your trip to New York, as you will probably not need to rush back to campus once the YDS conference is over.
QUESTIONS OR CONFERENCE IDEAS:
If you have any questions about the conference, please get in touch with the contact information provided below. If you have ideas or suggestions you would like to propose to conference planners, if you would like to volunteer to help with preparations or to assist during the conference itself, don’t hesitate to email or call us: 212-727-8610.
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