FIST YOUTH: Thoughts on the U.S. Social forum

As a born-and-raised Detroiter and a socialist, the decision to attend the U.S. Social Forum was a no-brainer for me. A gathering of thousands of folks from all over the country (and the world), all dedicated to the creation of another more peaceful, just, loving world? The possibility of not going never crossed my mind. I view it as a very important event for the left.

The USSF will provide me with a chance to catch up with old friends and comrades — as well as to meet hundreds of folks for the first time. Networking opportunities are a clear advantage of going. I will have an opportunity to hear what people in other parts of the country and the world are doing about various issues at the plenaries and workshops, and I hope to take what I learn and incorporate it into my organizing in Detroit. The youth space, the cultural performances, the marches and protests, the art — I am excited about all of it, and all of it is important to building a movement that excludes no one and celebrates everyone.

I have high hopes for the USSF. I hope that the thousands of us who will be in attendance will be able to work together in Detroit and build ideas that we can move forward with after the week is over. I hope that the forum really is instrumental in bringing about the better world that we know is possible. In the words of FIST organizer Larry Hales, “At the very least, though, it is a chance for left activists to share the same space and to talk to one another about the struggles happening, even in the most isolated corners of the country, and to see the commonness in the struggle of poor, oppressed and working people.”

See you there!