some college students are doing more then drink beer and screw

[donsu]

http://www.counterpunch.com/jacobs07102006.html

The New SDS
Towards a Radical Youth Movement


From August 4th through the 7th, a new incarnation of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) will hold its first national convention. This organization will have been around for almost a year when it meets in Chicago. Obviously taking its inspiration from the famed US student organization of the 1960s, the new SDS is part an extension and expansion on the hopes and dreams of the group and also something quite new. Although by assuming that group's name the new SDS is taking a risk in a number of ways, the enthusiasm of the new members that I have met; and their understanding of the mistakes and successes of their predecessor indicates that this SDS is not a nostalgia buff's toy, but the genuine article--a left and democratic youth organization dedicated to effecting radical social change. I was recently at another conference in New York City and met up with one of the convention organizers Patrick LaForte. We agreed to have an email conversation discussing the new organization. The transcript follows.

Ron: What are the founding organizers hopes for the new SDS?

Pat: Our founding hopes are to build a multi-issue, multi-generational, radical coalition that can educate, fight, and build. Rather than build an organization around a particular political ideology (anarcho-syndicalism, libertarian communism, Marxism, etc.) we can build around the need for unity within the Left, the need to actively combat the oppression in the modern world (US imperialism in the Middle East, racism in our
communities, poor public education, etc.) while building new institutions that counter the inadequate existing ones. Through our experiences in tearing down the old, undemocratic society and building up a new, truly democratic society we can develop an original ideology that we can call our own.

-snip-

Ron: In terms of the current organizing group, what is the gender balance? The racial/ethnic mix?

Pat: It's hard to say since we have grown to be fairly large in a short amount of time and we don't keep track of that information, but at the events I have attended there has been a diverse racial/ethnic mix and I would estimate that the gender balance on the national level is around 50-50. Unlike the original SDS, the issues of racism and sexism are already being actively addressed and overcome within the organization.

-snip-

Ron: I see SDS as part of a broader movement. Although history will certainly decide the answer to this next question I would be interested in your thoughts before history takes over.. Do you see the group as part of a united front or as an organization that works parallel to other left-leaning organizations?

Pat: I believe SDS is part of a united front against exploitation and empire; part of a broad coalition of radicals that understand change cannot be achieved by working within the imperialist system. Although we have differences regarding internal structure and have varying definitions of democracy, we are all in the same struggle against an enemy that is far to the right of even Nixon.
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[Dr.Phool]

1. As a former member of the "old SDS", I wish them the best of luck

And hope that they don't suffer the same divisions and factionalism that we did.

[LiberalEsto]

2. Wonderful

I used to be in SDS