Inside: Cornel West on the L.A. Riots
PUBLISHED BY THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS OF AMERICA
May/June 1992 Volume XX Number 3 Women & Politics with Ruth Sidel, Christine Riddiough, Lisa Foley, Loretta Williams & Saskia Sassen
DSA Demands Reproductive Freedom March For Women's Lives+ April 5, 1992 +Washington, DC INSIDE DEMOCRATIC LEFT WOMEN & POLITICS On the Left by Horry Fleischman ... 12 DSA Marches For Choice On The Road for Socialism by Uso Foley ... 2 by Michael Ughty ... 13 DSAction . . . 16 Women In Poverty by Ruth Side/, PhD ... 4 Celebrate What? by Loretto J. Williams ... 18 Revolution in Illinois by Christine R. Riddiough ... 7 Japan's New Poverty by Soskio Sossen ... 21 Fighting For Our Lives Janie Higgins Reports ... 24 by Uso Foley . . . 10 cover photo by Tom Ellett
ing the economic boom that was cannot sustain itself without a vi EDITORIAL characteristic from 1945 to 1973, brant public sphere that benefits ev there was a 3.3 percent increase in eryone. productivity every year. And from The refusal of the populace to A RESPONSE 1973 to 1991, we see not a recession sustain that public sphere, i.e., pay but a slow-motion depression, a si taxes, is understandable because lent depression: 19.l percent decline they are paying a greater share of TO L.A. in inflation-adjusted real wages. those taxes, while corporations BY CORNEL WFST That's 19 years of social slippage, which paid 31 percent of all taxes downward mobility. It dispropor prior to 1980, now pay 9 percent. The rebellion in Los Angeles has tionately affected the black industrial The transformations are also cul much more to it than the vicious at working class, no longer making $26 tural. Post-modem culture is a cul tacks on people and property (al to $27 an hour; you're lucky to get a ture that promotes narcissism, though that is very real, especially for job, and if you get a job, you make $6 careerism, and privatism. It's a cul too many of our Korean brothers and to $7 an hour. ture that is so suspicious of the public sisters). It's not simply an expression There is now a silent depression, sphere, that it feels as if only the of the voice of the people, the masses coupled with massive, unprece market can provide some conception of blacks -- no, there's no such thing dented redistribution of wealth from of the good life. Stimulation is the as one voice. Invoking the masses working people to the wealthy basis of cultural life, like so much our and claiming a unified expression, people: Americans in the top 1 per TV and movies: stimulation, through usually has managerial politics in the cent income bracket own 37 percent foreplay and orgiastic intensity, as if background. Rather, we must con of the country's wealth, an increase continued page 17 sider the broader political, cultural from 31 percent in 1980. and economic transformations of the As that redistribution of wealth DEMOCRATIC LEFT last twenty years. upward took place, the public sphere The post-industrial city has been was being underfunded, and public Founding Editor fundamentally transformed by the services undermined. By public Michael Harrington (1928--1989) shift from manufacturing sector to sphere, I mean public education, Managing Editor service sector. The city is no longer a public transportation, public infra Michael Lighty center that processes goods, rathel' it structure, the sewer system, high Production processes information; the de-indus ways, and subways. Public services Ginny Coughlin trialization that has occurred has led have become increasingly associated to the devastation of the industrial with people of color. And it's very Editorial Committee working class. Look at South-Central important for us to realize that subur Dorothee Benz, Joanne Barbn, 30 years ago, there was significant banization in the United States is the Howard Croft, Mitth Horowitz, manufacturing, significant numbers version of residential racial segrega Sherri Levine, Neil Mcuughlin, Maxine Phillips of black folk, especially black men, tion -- with the result that suburbs Domocnb< Loft (ISbN 016403201) .. putiu.hed ... - • ~ •• did have jobs. It's gone now. can pay for good services while cities 15 Dul 2 DEMOCRATIC LEFT DSA Marches For Choice Democratic Socialists DSA Honorary Chair Gloria Steinem I speaks at ! OSA's post march reception. ver100 DSA'ers marched as a con views on politics and social issues. To close, she tingent in the April 5 March for called for announcements -- "What's going on? Women's Lives in Washington DC. What are you doing?" " Anything you want to 0 DSA'ers also participated in actions tell each other?" she asked. A discussion ensued in Seattle and San Francisco -- demanding not about women as candidates and workers in only choice but reproductive freedom. DSA's electoral politics; the need for a broad women's presence at the DC march was highlighted by health agenda in the pro-choice movement; and the appearance of DSA Honorary Chair Gloria Ross Perot's rotten record on labor. Steinem at the DSA post-march reception. There was more to the April 5 weekend than Steinem's remarks to the crowd of DSA march the traditional DSA demonstration activities, ers and friends was a little different from her i.e., more than making poster-board signs with speech at the rally a few minutes earlier. The socialist-feminist slogans, marching with the feminist writer and women's rights organizer rose-and-fist contingent, and talking about poli encouraged a democratic-socialist emphasis on tics with Gloria Steinem. Members who could reproductive rights, particularly stressing the stay an extra day were invited to participate in concept of "bodily autonomy" - an ideal and a the first DSA Washington Lobby Day. Organ right which she said perished for women under ized by Feminist Commission Chair Christine Soviet and Eastern European socialism. Riddiough, the Monday Lobby Day sent demo Steinem, whose recent best-selling book cratic socialists into the halls of Congress, push Revolution From Within has been drawing long ing for passage of the Freedom of Choice Act, lines ather book-signings, was recently featured which would codify Roe v. Wade; arguing the with Backlaslt author Susan Faludi on the cover merits of a single-payer health care system; and of Time magazine. Al though Steinem did stop to insisting that democracy demands DC state sign a few autographs, many among the DSA hood. DSA lobbyists joined hundreds of other group were impressed that she spent most of pro-choice activists from across the country her time organizing. After brief remarks, she who also stayed in town to make visits on Capi invited dialogue with theaudienceand solicited tol Hill. -- Lisa Foley MAY/JUNE 1992 3 Women In Poverty In Their Rhetoric of the "Middle Class," the Candidates Are Ignoring Issues of Race and Gender BY RUTH SIDEL, PHD his issue of Democratic Left on women Moreover, the composition of poor families and politics appears at a critical has changed significantly over the past thirty moment -- during a national election years. In 1959, 23 percent of all poor families T and during a time of severe recession were headed by women; by 1989 that figure had when the economic hardship suffered by mil risen to 51.7 percent. Today nearly 40 percent of lions of people in the U.S. highlights the neces the U.S. poor are children and over half are sity of rethinking our social and economic pri members of female-headed families. orities. One of the crucial issues largely ignored The situation of families headed by African by virtually all of the candidates in this year of American and Latina women is even more political attention to the "middle cJass" is the bleak. They continue to be at greatest risk of economic status of women and children. poverty. Among poor black families in 1989, It is important to note that while many nearly three-quarters, 73.4 percent, were women have moved into a wide variety of pro headed by women with no husband present; fessional, managerial and entrepreneurial occu among poor families of Latino origin, nearly pations in the U.S. during the last quarter cen half, 46.8 percent, were headed by women. tury nonetheless a duel labor market continues to exist and the majority of women continue to Life Chances work in low-paid, low-status jobs doing primar In comparing the poverty rate of married ily clerical, service and sales work. Moreover, couple families with that of female-headed while women's wages, particularly those of families, the significant differences in economic young women, have risen in recent years, full status and therefore in life chances become time, year-round female workers earn only dear. Among white married-couple families, about 70 percent of the earnings of comparable the poverty rate in 1989 was 5 percent; among male workers. This gap is a central factor that white female-headed households, the poverty keeps a vast number of women -- and their rate was five times higher, or 25.4 percent. While children -- in poverty in the U.S. the same differential!; are apparent among black families and among families of Latino origin, Rising Poverty Rates these groups suffer from the additional burden In 1990, 13.5 percent of the U.S. population of significantly higher poverty rates for all -- 33.6 million people -- was officially classified households. Among black families, for ex as poor -- that is, as living below even the unre ample, 11.8 percent of married-couple families alistically-low Federal poverty line. The number lived below the poverty line in 1989, while 46.5 of poor people and the poverty rate have de percent, nearly half of female-hraded families, cJined somewhat since 1983 when over 15 per lived in poverty. The statistics for Latino fami cent of all Americans lived below the poverty lies are equally disturbing: 16.2 percent of line, but the number and rate rose sharply in married-couple families lived in poverty, com 1990. Between 1989 and the recession year of pared to 47.5 percent of female-headed families. 1990, 2.1 million additional Amencans, particu The poverty rateforchildrencontinues, as it larly children and the elderly, fell into poverty. has since 1975, to be higher than that ofany other 4 DEMOCRATIC LEFT age group. In 1990 the poverty rate for all chil non of the early 1990s is the denigration of the dren under eighteen was 20.6 percent. In other poor and the blatant perpetuation of sexist and words, over thirteen million -- one out of every racist stereotypes. To equate people living in five American children -- lived below the pov poverty, particularly recipients of Aid to Fami erty line. In 1989 14.2 percent of white children, lies with Dependent Children (AFDC), with the 34.9 percent of Hispanic children, and 43 per "underclass" is to brand them unfit, urunoti cent of black children lived in poverty. Among vated, unwilling or unable to do their part to children under the age of six, over five million, achieve their piece of the American Dream. In of 22.5 percen._, were officially poor. reality, such an "underclass" comprises but a small segmentof the poor. During 1989 in nearly Stereotyping the Poor half-- 48.9 percent - of all poor families at least Since the mid-1980s several critical, often one member worked full-time or part-time, and life-threatening problems that particularly af in 16.2 percent of poor families at least one flict women and children have added to the ex member worked full-time year-round. Even traordinary toll that poverty takes on their among female-headed families, in which all of health and well-being: The crack epidemic with the familial responsibilities rest on the single Women In its alarming number of "crack babies" and the pa rent, 41.6 percent of the householders worked poverty face subsequent prosecution of poor, usually Afri in 1989 and 8.8 percent worked full-time year the double round. Popular perception fueled by demagogic burden of can-American women for the "prenatal crime" pulllng of delivering drugs to the fetus; the dramatic leaders also erroneously labels the majority of the poor as people of color and thus, the dispar themselves and escalation of violence on the streets of our cities their children with people of color all-too-often the victims; aging of "welfare mothers" often becomes out of poverty. the ubiquity of homelessness with a significant coded language for racism. In fact, two-thirds of These women percentage of homeless families headed by all Americans living below the poverty line are and their women; and the continuing existence of hunger, white. children are particularly among female-headed families. Consequently, in these difficult economic lllving In But perhaps the most disturbing phenome- times hostility toward the poor has led in many shelters. I I l I I I I MAY/jUNf. 1992 5 benefits for all, regardless of income, improves the chances of appropriate legislation passing and reduces the 1ikelihood of both the cutback of benefits and stigma to the recipients. Family policies similar to the one described here are in place in virtually every industrialized country with the exception of the United States. To arrest the steadily widening gap be tween rich and poor and to provide a genuine safety net for women and children such entitle ments should include comprehensive, acces sible, affordable maternal and child health care within a comprehensive health care system for all Americans; paid parental leave at the time of the birth or adoption ofa child; first-rate, widely accessible and affordable child care and after school care; stronger child support legislation; and a higher minimum wage for all workers. Moreover, the U.S. should seriously consider children's allowances for all families regardless of income. Targeted Programs But the policies necessary for middle-class families will not alone be sufficient to help poor women and children overcome the pernicious effects of poverty. Besides universal entitle ments, targeted programs for poor families are urgently needed. These include housing subsi dies and the construction and rehabilitation of low-income housing; the expansion of food stamp assistance and increased funding for WIC (the Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children); and finally, real welfare reform. Every state should pay benefits that will bring families at least up to the poverty line and should offer training programs and employment counseling to those recipients who This woman states to particularly punitive cut-backs of are able and choose to take advantage of them. and her child AFDC. In 1991 AFDC benefits were reduced Above all, we must recognize that life in the are living In a more than in any year since 1981. Ninestatescut U.S. is too complex for families to go it alone. shelter for the basic benefits below previous levels and several We must move toward greater equality and homeless. states attempted to tie benefits to approved redistribute our resources more equitably in social behavior. For example, New Jersey re order to improve the health status of American cently enacted a far-reaching if short-sighted women and their children. We must continue to piece of social policy. The Jaw refuses money to organize across class, race, gender, and age lines support any additional child born to a mother to achieve these goals. Only through recogniz already receiving welfare. Any such child will ing our common needs and interdependence, therefore have to share the food of the other and by working together, can we hope to bring children, share the clothing grant ofother family about these urgently needed political, eco members and reduce even further the family's nomic, and social reforms. Im standard of living. Ruth Szdel, PhD, is Professor of Sociology at Hunter What's Needed: A Family Policy College and author of Women and Children Last: The question of how to provide a decent The Plight of Poor Women in Affluent America standard of living for America's poor families and On Her Own: Growing Up in the Shadow of remains a topic of debate. A family policy with the American Dream. 6 DEMOCRATIC LEFT Revolution in Illinois Carol Moseley Braun Captured the Democratic Nomination for Senate. .. And Captured Our Imagination. Carol Moseley Braun, Democratic nominee for Senate in Illinois, greets a supporter on Chicago's South Side. BY CHRISTINE R. RrDDIOUGH n October 1991 millions of Americans of power. ln Illinois thousands of women ca lied were riveted to their radios and TVs by Chicago NOW. That state's senior Senator, Alan the U.S. Senate confirmation hearings for Dlxon, had outraged them by his vote to con I Clarence Thomas. Millions of American firm Supreme Court nominee, now justice, Clar women were outraged by the faces of fourteen ence Thomas. Dixon, 'Al the Pal' to his Illinois and later ninety-six white men -- the U.S. Senate and Senate cronies, had never lost an election m Judiciary Committee and the U.S. Senate, which forty-three years in Illinois politics and was con includes only two women and two men of color sidered unbeatable until his vote for Thomas. -- judging an African American woman, Anita Even then political 'experts' predicted that Hill. You could see it in women's faces and hear Dixon would be returned to the Senate, but he it in their voices -- men, especiaIJy the Senate, reckoned without thousands of Illinois women just "didn't understand" - they didn't under and without Carol Moseley Braun. stand sexual harassment and they didn't under After the Thomas vote and in the face of a stand powerlessness. potential Court decision overturning Roe v. Around the countrywomen talked with one Wade, Sue Purrington, director of Chicago another and called women's organizations to NOW and DSA member, and other women find out what could be done to change the face leaders approached Braun about a run for the MAY/} UN£ 1992 7 Senate. Braun was Recorder of Deeds for Cook tional sources as independent and GOP women County and had been a state legislator for years and from increased voter registration in the before that. And on March 17, 1992 Braun be African American community, to put her over came the first African American woman nomi the top. nated for the Senate by a major U.S. political Purrington believes that the current excite party. Swept forward with her were dozens of ment over Braun's candidacy has to be -- and other women running for the state legislature, can be -- translated into volunteers and votes. county boards and judgeships. Most Democratic leaders, including Dixon, the Braun received 38 percent of the statewide state's junior senator, Paul Simon, and Mayor vote compared to 35 percent for Dixon and 27 Richard Daley of Chicago, have already said that they will campaign for her. Observers in Illinois believe that her strong support among women will be repeated in An important task of the November. Purrington has said she's found "women are eager to vote for her. In DuPage campaign will be registering County [outside Chicago] GOP women crossed over and independent women voted in the African American voters. Democratic primary for the first time. They had to wait in long lines to vote Democratic, but they did it." Others suggest that having taken the first step of voting Democratic in the primary, percent for Al Hofield, a millionaire candidate the next step -- voting for Braun in November - who had spent his own money for a media blitz - will be easier for many independent and Re attacking Dixon. Braun got more than half of the publican women. votes in Chicago and 40 percent in the six And Purrington adds that, "While the ini county suburban area surrounding the city. tial impetus for Carol's candidacy was a nega Dixon carried his historical downstate base, tive reaction to Dixon, when voters got to know although Braun picked up support in several her, their response was positive. Voters are now downstate areas including college town Cham for Carol Moseley Braun, because they believe paign. she will be a change for the good." And another Exit polls showed Braun receiving 43 per person close to the campaign said, "The best cetn of women's votes statewide compared to thing Carol's got going for her is how wonderful 31 percent for Dixon, while she received 34 she is." Braun has been described as both very percent (compared to Dixon's 38 percent) of approachable and chansmatic. Voters said over men's votes. ln the metropolitan Chicago area and over that they felt that Braun was someone and among students, Braun received close to 60 who would really listen to them. That's a good percent of women's votes. This is perhaps the part of her appeal -- she strikes voters, especially most dramatic example ever of the gender gap. women and African American voters, as intelli Braun also received overwhelming majorities in gent, articulate, and sensitive, as someone who the African American community. really does understand and who really will do Braun's campaign has now entered a new something about their problems and concerns. phase. She faces a little-known, conservative Purrington worked as Braun's campaign Republican, Richard Williamson, in November. manager in an early race for the illinois House The GOP had expected to be running against and later served as her legislative aide. She de Dixon and had fielded Williamson assuming he scribes Braun as a coalition-builder, someone would lose. Now it's expected that they will who was able to work with diverse groups in pour money into the race. And Illinois, always Springfield, the state capital, and at home. Some an important swing state, will be a focus of of her support is based in the same communities Presidential efforts by both parties. and organizations as that of the late Chicago Purrington says that " Braun has a good Mayor Harold Washington who was able to chance in November, but people shouldn't as bring together both many in the ~frican Ameri sume that she'll win. It's going to take work, can community who had been at odds and especially in the face of GOP targeting and others from Chicago's diverse Latino, Asian money." American and white ethnic communities. For Others note that with a base of about 46 mer Mayor Eugene Sawyer and others in the percent Democratic votes in lll in01s, Braun only African American community are working to needs another 5 percent, from such non-tradi- pull that community together for Braun -- a 8 DEMOCRATIC LEFT community which had splintered after Wash for her. And more and more people are joining ington's death. An important task of the cam the ranks ofBraun supporters. Last Monday the paign will be registering African American vot campaign received 100,000 buttons -- by Tues ers. Only 279,000 African Americans are cur day they were gone. rently registered in Jllinois compared to390,000 Braun as Senator will be a progressive voice in 1988, a drop of 28 percent. Black voters had in the highest legislative body in the nation. been 26 percent of the Illinois electorate in 1988, She'll speak out for reproductive freedom and but now constitute only 19 percent. Revitalizing women's rights, for a high priority agenda for that electoral .bloc will be central to Braun's civil rights and gay and lesbian rights, for social efforts. justice and for a national health program. As one Braun's campaign organization represents Chicago leader said there are a few thmgs that the diversity of Illinois as well. Her campaign really matter right now, that signal an historic manager is Kgosi Matthews and her political di shift in American politics to either renew the rector is Heather Booth. Matthews has been a democratic spirit or to further destroy it. The part of the Rainbow Coalition while Booth was pro-choice movement is one and action for na a founder of both Citizen Action and the Coali tional health is another. The Braun campaign tion for Democratic Values both symbolically and in its political agenda "Diversity is central to the campaign," says provides the stage for such a shift. Over the next Purrington. "Groups are working together for few months it will become not just a campaign, Carol who never have worked together before, but a crusade for women and for progressives especially groups of women. Asian women from all over the United States, as 1t already has from the Korean, Filipino and Chinese commu for those in Illinois. tm nities are talking to Latinas from the Mexican and Puerto Rican communities about how to Christine Riddiough is a DSA Vice Chair and chair bridge the gaps within and between their com of the DSA frmi11ist Commission Carol munities." Moseley Many people, including Purrington, have Want to help Carol Moseley Braun become Illinois' Braun speaks to a been working for years to build connections next Senator. Send your checks, made out to Braun crowd of among Chicago's racially and ethnically di for Senate, to the DSA Feminist Comm1ss1on, 5123 supporters vided neighborhoods. Chicago is otten de Fifth St NW, Washington, DC 20011-4040. To find on election scribed as one of the most segregated cities in out lzow you can do more, call us at (202) 829-6155. night. the U.S. Purrington sees the Braun campaign as the catalyst for change. "The campaign has so much potential to bring the city and state together and so much potential to s build a force for women. ~ !- This city has kept people apart for so long. I've worked for twenty-five years to see this happen. Now I'm seeing it and I love it." Purrington and oth ers believe that women's groups and progressives need to make the Braun campaign their highest priority this election year. NOW endorsed her early on and leaders like Har riet Woods of the Na tional Women's Political Caucus and Gloria Stdnem came out early MAY/JUNE 1992 9 that he was not interested in making abortion an issue in his campaign against Braun. The White House gave Williamson its blessing. On the other hand, Bush appears not to be Fighting running scared, even if other Republicans are visibly backing away from choice polemics. For instance, Bush's recent revision of the "gag rule" was viewed as a gesture which cost him nothing politically. As originally drafted and upheld by the Supreme Court last term, the gag For Our rule prevented workers at federally-funded clinics from counseling or distributing any in formation to clients about abortion. The newer version of the regulation, offered as a compro mise by the Bush administration, gags all clinic workers except physicians. Among health care providers, physicians have the most powerful Lives lobbies, but they also have the least contact, as counselors, with clients at family planning clin BY LISA FOLEY ics. Another sign came on the day after the heMarchforWomen'slivesinWash march, when Bush's Justice Department filed its ington, DC on April 5 was reportedly brief in connection with Planned Parenthood of one of the largest demonstrations in Southeastem Pennsylvania v. Casey, the key abor T history, with the U.S. Park Service tion case now pending before the Supreme estimating a crowd of half a million and the Court. Pennsylvania's abortion laws are the National Organization for Women (NOW) most restrictive yet - outside of a complete ban claiming a million. 1t is unfortunate that the on abortion -- including a twenty-four-hour political credit due the women's movement for waiting period and requirement of spousal no a successful pro-choice mobilization will no tification. In its brief in support of the Pennsyl doubt be spent in the short term on the 1992 vania laws, the administration officially re national elections -- perhaps most, ironically, in newed its call for an outright overturning of Roe the arena of Republican Party politics. For the v. Wade. long term, progressives face an increasingly dif And so despite the potential strength of ficult challenge for maintaining, let alone ad large numbers of marchers and voters, the foc us vancing, reproductive freedom in the United remains on the nine lifetime appointed mem States. bers of the Supreme Court. Many abortion It remains to be seen whether so-called Re rights organizers believe that Roe v. Wade is publicans for Choice and other pro-choice con closer to being overturned by the Supreme servatives, suddenly willing to be counted, are a Court this year than it was in 1989, on the even serious threat to the Republican Party, either as of the retrogressive Webster decision upholding cross-over voters or party activists capable of restrictive abortion laws in Missouri. Weary influencing the Republican platform. It is per pro-choice Court-watchers have as little hope haps telling that abortion is not an issue in the for a favorable ruling in Bray v. Alexandria highly-visible Illinois Senate race, where Repub Women's Health Center, which is also expected to lican Rich Williamson is running against Demo be decided this term. The Bray case tests federal cratic candidate Carol Moseley Braun, an Afn authority to prevent or punish clinic blockades can-American woman. UnJike many national by Operation Rescue and similar extremist anti and local elections in which women have been choice groups. So far, these groups have had running, Braun's candidacy did not arise in the little to fear from local or federal authorities. In context of choice. Rather, Braun's upset of fact, there was a clinic attack in the. Washington Democratic incumbent Alan Dixon sprang di area on the weekend of the March. rectly from the Democrats' mishandling of the It is striking how little the abortion debate Clarence Thomas Supreme Court nomination has moved in the three years since Webster. and the Anita Hill hearings. Nonetheless, oppo Media coverage of this year's mobilization is nent Williamson wasted little time after the pri one indication. News editors continue to feel mary in making it clear to the Republican Party obligated to present "both sides" of the issue as 10 DEMOCRATIC L r.FT if public opinion on choice is evenly divided. For ex ample, the Washington, DC local news, across the channels, gave abou t equal footage on April 5 to the small band of anti choice protesters staging a counter-demonstration. The real numbers, as any one knows who was there, were about three-quarters of a million pro-choice to about 200 anti-choice demonstrators. Worst of all, the pro choice agenda is still rep resented almost every where as narrowly pro abortion, with virtually no public airing of women's concerns around issues of access to reproductive health services, birth control and education. women's health promotion, sterilization abuse The March For One exception is the New York Times cover story and children's rights. Women's Lives on Sunday, March 15. There it was reported that Although these issues are clearly linked was reportedly up to 20 percent of women who would choose with issues of race and class as well as gender, it one of the abortion are kept from that option by lack of re is less clear how to organize effectively for re largest demonstrations sources, scarce providers and age restrictions. A productive rights along with a general program In U.S. history. first-trimester abortion costs between $200 and for social and economic justice. It is a good sign Pictured here Is $300, but only thirteen states provide Medicaid that some of the national pro-choice groups and the first assistance to women choosing abortion. Serv their local affiliates are increasingly vocal about delegation. ices are less and less readily available. The Times the impact of the nation's health care crisis on reported that 83 percent of U.S. counties lack women, and are getting involved with national clinics or hospitals that perform abortion. Every healU1 care reform initiatives. DSA has also year, fewer health professionals receive formal been attempting to link its organizing strategy training in abortion procedures, the Times ar for national health care with strategies for ex ticle also reported. panding reproductive rights. As health care In light of these grim facts, feminists and financing reform is debated in state and national pro-choice activists have turned their attention policy arenas, groups like DSA could play a to strategies for expanding access to abortion. useful role by monitoring and responding to the " Underground Railroad"-type transportation treatment of reproductive health issues in networks are alread y forming in underserved emerging legislative proposals. At the same areas and in regions where abortion is expected time, women's health activists have an interest to be banned if Roev. Wade is overturned. Other in pushing the health care reform movement groups are talking seriously about safe civil dis beyond the debate around financing, and to obedience, i.e., provision of abortion services in ward a more comprehensive agenda for public spite of restrictive legislation or outright crimi health promotion, including reproductive well nalization. ness and health education. ml For women who remember the state of re productive rights prior to 1973 when Roe v. Wade Lisa Foley is a member of the steering committee of was decided, having to create methods of safe the DSA DC/Md/No Va local; chair of the reproduc but illegal self-help is indeed "going back." The tive freedom committee ofthe NPC; and vice chair of real and pressing problem of preserving access the Feminist Commission. to abortion will of course draw resources and energy away from a broader reproductive For more information, contact the Feminist Commis rights agenda add ressing contraception, sion at 5123 Fifth St., NW, Washington DC 20011. Mt'.Y/jUNE 1992 11 Dobbs' 80th birthday and his session with classes on democratic struggle for democratic socialism socialism and the Canadian health and a better life for all Americans. care system. San Diego DSA discussed strategies for the California primary PENNSYLVANIA at their monthly membership meet ing. DSA'ers there are participating Reading-Berks DSA pre by Harry Fleischman in the San Diego Organizing Project, sented their Maurer-Stump award a voter registration drive in low to James Chapin, DSA Vice Chair. income neighborhoods. Chapin is thechairofWorld Hunger ALASKA Year on serves on DSA's National DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Interim Committee. Also honored Juneau DSA 'ers met to dis was Thomas Paine Cronin. cuss a statewide strategy for single DC/MD/NoVA DSA held a Feminst singer-songwriter payer health care reform and to re sign-making party for the April 5 Kristen Lems performed a benefit view current health care legislation March for Women's Lives and concert for Pittsburgh DSA and its in Alaska. hosted a strategy session of the DSA newletter, the Allegheny Socialist. Reproductive Freedom Committee. The evening was MCed by singer The local organized a contingent for CALIFORNIA and DSA'er Anne Feeney. The con the Hands Around the Capitol rally cert, celebrating International Los Angeles DSA has joined for DC statehood. At the April Women's Day, was a success. the Orange County Workers for Jus women's brunch, there was a dis Philadelphia DSA organized tice and Democracy, a coalition of cussion of religion and feminism. a d iscuss1on of the urban fiscal crisis labor, community and religious with Mark Levinson, member of the groups fighting for workers right to KENTUCKY DSA National Political Committee organize unions. LA DSA'ers dis and chief economist for DC 37 tributed 1,500 copies of the DSA Central Kentucky DSA AFSCME in New York City. The pamphlet "Challenging the Demo spondored a presentation by Julie local also sponsored a day of events crats" by Barbara Ehrenreich and Bums of Kentuckians for the Com with DSA Honorary Chair Come! Harold Meyerson to delegates at the monweal th. She gave a run down of West of Princeton University's California Democratic Convention bills passed by the Kentucky legisla Afro-American Studies Depart Westside LA DSA held a suc ture during the past year. Kentucky ment. West spoke at Temple Uni cessful brunch meeting on "The '92 DSA'ers accompanied naturalist versity, met with student organiz Elections and the Left." and DSA member Sue Massek on a ers there, and spoke at a general "The Canadian National nature walk in April. DSA'ers there meeting after meeting with Phila Health System as a Model for the also participated in a women's delphia DSA organizers. Villanova University DSA United States" was the topi~ of a fo speakout to commemorate Inater rum co-sponsored by Valley DSA national Women's Day centered their work Uussemesteron and the Democratic Party of the San national health care and reproduc tive freedom. Student organizers Fernando Valley. Steve Tarzynski, MASSACHUSE1TS MD, member of the DSA National their are planning counter demon Political Committee, argued for a "Weld's War on Working strations to the SOOth Anniversary Candian-style single-payer system. People" was the title of a forum of Columbus for next semester. Jose Moldonado was the featured sponsored by Boston DSA on Mas speaker at Valley DSA's monthly sachusetts governor William Weld's WASHINGTON meeting. He spoke about the tragic policies. The Boston DSA Religion aftermath of Christopher Colum and Socialism Comm1ss1on's March Seattle DSA sponsored a se bus. Valley DSA'ers are helping the forum featured a discussion of Ca ries of workshops on r~specting di fight against Governor Pete nadian labor politics with Dr. Elaine versity within the organization. The Wilson's war against welfare by Bernard, DSA member, director of workshops focused on the experi registering welfare recipients to the Harvard Trade Union Program, ences of people of color, women, vote. and past president of the British and gays and lesbians, and dis Los Angeles DSA, on Febru Columbia New Democratic Party. cussed ways of combatting sexism, ary 23, celebrated DSA'er Ben The local's socialist school is back in racism and homophobia. 72 D£M BY MICHAEL LIGHTY t's a long-standing tradition phisticated radio audience. does he know!). DSA'er Bill Caspary among socialist staff to hit the About ten people met with me for teaches a smart and politically active road and meet with local activ dinner and were joined by a couple group of students in a peace studies I ists. I had put off doing a local more at a general meeting. Like other class who had me on the run about tour for too long, so with much antici locals I visited I was impressed with international Keynesianism and the pation I ventured forth. the level of seriousness people global environment. My interview on Health care has been instrumen brought to their involvement in DSA. the Fox affiliate's public affairs show tal in maintaining and increasing the We talked about DSA's projects and was much friendlier, if less exciting. level of activity by our locals. The about some plans to involve young The local does weekly petitioning for more health care work a local does, people who come to Washington for national health care and is keeping the stronger it is. Every local I visited the summer for internships. the pressure on Majority Leader Dick is either doing on-going health care Gephardt. They also have regular organizing, or my visit served as a general meetings which include catalyst to starting a health care com Lexington sumptuous sweet roles by the local's mittee, to getting involved in state new co-chair Pat Grace. TI-le local's single-payer organizing, or to hook DSA'ers have current co-chairs, Julie Ford and ing into national activity such as Jobs been the prime Dave Neibert, who were wonderful With Justice. Last year, the Gulf War hosts and terrific organizers, are was the main focus of most locals I movers in getting moving to southern Ohio, where we visited. The tour enabled me to moti expect them to continue their great vate and move forward our key po an all-volunteer work for DSA. Good luck Dave and litical projects: health care, challeng community Julie! ing the Democrats, reproductive freedom-the April 5th march, and the coffeehouse Mayors' march. started. +Lexington At a talk on health care, the local NBC affiliate covered 1t and quoted + Washington, DC +St. Louis me on TV saying that the private, for My first stop was Washington, D.C., profit free market health care system My visit began with an informal which provided a reference point for dinner followed by a terrific social cannot meet people's needs. The talk the rest of the tour, since mentioning was sponsored by the Central Ken event/local fundraiser with blue what Congress and the government tucky Democratic Socialists of Amer grass fiddling and much good cheer in Washington think always gener ica, showing how such a visit can among thirty-five or so folks, includ ates a laugh. This visit was a whirl raise the local's profile. The local co ing some non-members and students. wind of individual meetings punctu chair, Jim Ryder, arranged a twenty Afterward I taped a cable public ac ated by a small general meeting at the minute interview on Eastern Ken cess show about democratic social Machinists building. It began with an tucky public radio about national ism and our challenging the Demo appearance on Dorothy Healey's health care. A candidate fur state crats proiect. The next morning 1 radio show, Where Dorothy inspired representative running on health care rolled out of bed and onto the air me a gain with her energy and in and a liberal member of the newly waves, with Roy and Otis on St. Pat sight. We talked about "Challenging formed governor's commission on rick's Day. Roy asks me what DSA the Democrats," health care and health care reform participation in would do if we could run amok (little international issues with a very so- the health care discussion. The meet- MAY/JUNE 1992 13 ing was a catalyst for the local's on the snow covered streets ( remem tion is waging a strong campaign for health care work. Lexington DSA ber this is the end of March in the recognition, an inspiring if very diffi members have been the prime mov midwest, I was warned) I arrived at a cult fight. ers in getting an all volunteer com potluck hosted by Mark and Adina munity coffeehouse started -- the Davidson. My talk about the '92 elec New Morning Coffeehouse, the pro tions, health care reform, reproduc +Seattle ceeds from which will be used to fund tive freedom, and what DSA nation Phil Bereano, a local DSAer and progressive organizing efforts in ally is doing, in particular the April experienced lesbian and gay activist, Lexington -- a great idea that should 5th and May 16th marches, was given hosted a small gathering of local, be copied. At a potluck and party on a very pleasant background by the mostly non-DSA lesbian/gay activ my last evening, members and roaring fire (or was that the ists for informal discussion of AIDS, Davidson's young son?). The local national healthcare, and other issues. has good ties with local labor folks, DSA'er Craig Salins is coordinating The Notre Dame some of whom I met. Local DSA'er the local's health care work and put Joe Ventura is managing the cam together a strategy session with local chapter has done paign for Congress of Frank Valente, health care organizers. It was a fasci excellent work the Steelworkers District leader. nating and productive strategy dis Meanwhile, former DSA Youth Sec cussion of initiative vs. legislative, on lesbian/gay tion chair Terri Burgess is running the national vs. state, a tour to British campaign of CJ. Prentiss for State Columbia health care facilities, and rights, the Assembly. I also met with the local possible elected officials to target. International Sane/Freeze office, staffed by a My mother and my high school prin couple of DSA'ers. ciple showed at a Saturday afternoon Paper boycott general meeting! That was the most and health care . nervous I got during the entire tour. + Detroit The local had not met for over a year, and though the turnout was friends gathered for a great discus small -- ten people -- it was the cata LA DSA is sion on community organizing and lyst for a new health care committee DSA's perspectives on key national that will include some UAW staff and helping to issues including reproductive free retirees. 1 gave a short rap on health organize an dom and the April 5th march AN care and the '92 elections, and talked Kentucky basketball). about free trade vs. fair trade. A African youth section chapter at Wayne State may also get organized. Meanwhile, American + Columbus, Ohio Roger Robinson, longtime DSA'er, Latino unity The local's co-chair, Bob Fitrakis, fresh off Jerry Brown's strong show was mulling a run for Congress and ing in Michigan, was getting the event-- now more has since jumped in the race for the Brown campaign jump started in urgent than ever. Democratic nomination. His oppo New York. nent is a LaRouchite! The local organ ized a public meeting at an art gallery Sacramento that was showing a powerful exhibit + Notre Dame My visit began with a small dis of political poster art. The posters I spoke to forty people, mostly cussion of the '92 elections at Califor made a great back drop for a cable students, about lesbian and gay poli nia State University attended by a public access show, "From the Demo tics and the limitations of a purely half-dozen faculty and staff in DSA or cratic Left," hosted by Fitrakis, which identity politics. A reporter for the close to us, hosted by DSA local chair taped my talk. The local is organizing student newspaper covered it, al and NPC member Duane Campbell. I opposition to the "welfare reform" though I'm not sure she knew what to met with a state senatQr to talk about effort which is cutting back general make of the event. The Youth Section health care reform and push him to assistance benefits in Ohio to $100 per chapter there has done excellent ward single-payer reform which he month per family. work on lesbian/gay rights, the Inter has opposed. At a well-attended +Cleveland national Paper boycott and is now meeting of a newly forming health After navigating through a moving onto health care organizing. care coalition, we discussed strategy, snowy freeway, and getting a bit lost The student lesbian and gay associa- including a state initiative and elec- 14 DEMOCRATIC LErr toral targeting. The local is forming a gressional candidates, what DSA Committees of Correspondence. The new health care working committee. national is doing, the health care or local is continuing their media project Four students from UC Davis came to ganizing and the possibility of San and helping a Jobs with Justice health my talk -- they have a few more Diego raising money to support an care coalition. They are also setting members and meet regularly and are organizer. Tilt~Y set-up a health care up an electoral committee. They have organizing against tuition increases committee and will work for two done a survey of Bay Area members. and for national health care. candidates running for the 50th con Their chief concern is raising money gressional district seat. Not surpris to keep on the organizer. Like many ingly, economic conversion is desper locals, San Francisco is recruiting • Los Angeles ately needed among the defense new cadre. And the weather was fantastic! Still glowing after his 80th birth dependent industries in San Diego, and a local Machinist BA I met with day celebration, Ben Dobbs and his wife Ada hosted me for a visit to a talked about the need for concrete s1mering pre-riot LA. The local ex programs for conversion. •Bay Area ecutive committee, which was pre On KPF A, the Pacifica station, I paring for the California State Demo was asked to be the optimist about cratic Party convention. They have a the U.S. labor movement. For you wonderful new organizer, Trish It is my pleasure non-believers, I have a tape of the Bailey. In addition to developing programs -- it can be done! their local health care project, they to report that At a new members meeting they publish a regular newsletter and are socialists and set-up a program to revive the East reviving branch meetings. They are Bay local. They had not met as a local helping to organize an African socialist for about a year but they have now American-Latino unity event -- now formed a new health care committee, more urgent than ever -- and are organizing are with some new members playing key doing a joint event with Malibu surviving and roles. NOW. They organized a reception at the state Democratic Party conven thriving across tion attended by about thirty dele the country. + Stanford gates. Their priority is to fundraise to At my almcl mater, I gave an in keep their staff. They have also been formal talk to twenty people, includ involved in various left unity /social ing faculty, staff, grad students, un ist dialogue efforts, which we dis •Marin dergrads and local DSAers, on being cussed. The health care organizing in I had the pleasure of being there an organizer. I spoke about my per California is a bellwether for the on election night when the former sonal history and found some stu country as DSA, Health Access, chair of the local, John Leonard, was dents who are following a similar Neighbor to Neighbor and unions elected to the Mill Valley city council. path, (one who lived in my frosh and senior groups, among others, They have regular general meeting:., dorm room -- ten years later). begin to build a grassroots effort that did some work on Leonard's cam DSAers are meeting regularly and are can lead to a state single-payer initia paign, and set-up a mission/vision a pMt of the Socialist Club at Stan tive in 1994 and/or to pressure on study group while I was there. We ford, and have been doing organizing federal officials. spoke about the '92 election, and around health care and reproductive what DSA is doing nationally. I freedom. urged them to set-up a health care • San Diego committee, but that's down the road. It is my pleasure to report that so NPC member and local activist cialists and socialist organizing are Virginia Franco took me to meet with surviving and thnvmg across the the priest at an extraordinary multic • San Francisco country. I'm very thankful for the ultural catholic church, Christ the It was old home week in the Bay chance to finally get on the road for King, in East San Diego that 1s part of Area. And guess what? I spoke about socialism. If I missed your town, the San Diego Organizing Project, a a socialist perspective on health care don'tworry, l'mgoingbackoutinthe community empowerment effort that at a large public forum that the new fall ... and after that, too. DSAers participate in, primarily northern California organizer, long doing voter registration. At a general time DSA'er, Mike Pincus, organized Michael Lighty is DSA 's National Di meeting, we talked about the local with CrossRoads magazine and the rector and Managing Editor of Demo endorsements of Democratic con- cratic Left. MAYI/UN£ 1992 15 DSAction--- IDesources fi!l]edia Reform + The following new items are available from the DSA + A DSA media task force has been established National Office, 15 Dutch Street, #500, New York, NY 10038. to design and implement a democratic media -- Reproductive Freedom Lobby Kit, prepared by the Femi model entailing d eep systemic changes. nist Commission. Contains lobbying hints, talking points, While the media are being widely and ex and legislation updates. Comprehensive and essential. $5 pertly critiqued, proposals to expand alterna --The latest issue of Our Struggle/Nuestra Lucha, newsletter tive media are being pursued, and new forms of of the African American, Latino, and Anti-Racism Commis media are being created, media activists and sions. Single issue: free. Bulk copies: 100 for $10. democratic socialists have largely overlooked -- "Abortion Rights Are Not Enough" literature piece. Single the need for a systemic approach to restructur copy: free. Bulk copies: 100 for $10. ing the media to better serve democracy. -- "Progressive Platform, Rodney King Resolution" literature So far the project has attracted the interest of piece, essential for urban crisis organizing. Single copy: free. both DSA'ers and non-DSA'ers alike, Some are Bulk copies: 100 for $10. active in related efforst with other organizations -- "Democratic Vistas," a statement for the democratic left, or in academia. Hopefully this will Jead towards signed by Irving Howe, Susan Sontag, Comel West, Ed a collaboration. The task force will meet at the Asner, Alice Kessler-Harris, Michael Walzer, and Frances National Board in Washington DC in June. The Fox Piven, among many others. $1 work needs researchers, writers, fundraisers, - Special Labor issue of Dissent featuring George Packer and organizers, spokespeople, legislative activists, Alice Kessler-Harris, $6. media critics, journalists, and of course, media - Two Mission/Vision issue of Socialist Forum: Fall 1991 and activists and consumers. Tf you are interested Spring 1992. Terrific summer reading, with Cornel West, contact Janet Kobren, 121 Day Street, San Fran Todd Gitlin, Joanne Barkan and David Montgomery. $5 each cisco, CA 94131(415)282-2078. 1992 REGISTRATI ON NATIONAL NAME ______~ A DDRESS------BOARD Registration Fee: Building DSA ... 0 $30 full conference From the Ground Up! Room & Board Fees: 0 $140 double occupancy, 3 nights, Electoral Action Strategizing •Local Organizing• Meeti ngs 9 meals (Thursd ay-Sunday) of the African American, Feminist, Latino, Anti-Racism & 0 $200 single occupancy, 3 nights, other Commissions • Health Care Action Training • Urban 9 meals (Thursd ay-Sunday) Crisis & Multi-Racial Organizing Workshop • Discussion of Roommate:______DSA's Mission and Vision• Reproductive Freedom Activism 0 $52 food only, 9 meals (Thor-Sun) Swimming, Softball, Socializing & Relaxation• Don't Miss It! 0 $20 food only, 1 d ay, 3 meals, circle day(s): F Sat Sun June 12-14 •Washington, DC For further mfonnatio11, call (212) 962-0390. Retum to DSA, Gallaudet University • Northwest Campus 15 Dutch St. #500, NY, NY 10038. 16 D EMOCRATIC L EFT DSA Condemns LA Police Verdict DSA condemns the jury verdict in the Rodney King assault trial. Racism and police brutality have no place in a democratic society. While the arson, looting and loss of life are inexcusable, they are a result of hopelessness and rage generated by centuries of oppression and class exploitation, heightened by reactiOnary policies, deindustrialization, increasing poverty, and the moral tone characterizing the Reagan/Bush regimes. Urban violence and social disintegration are not the result of government efforts to end poverty, but rather are a result of a reversal of that federal commitment over the last twelve years. We support commuruty control and accountability of police. Moreover, DSA renews its commitment to reverse the political climate of the last twelve years and to work for a society based on freedom from exploitation, justice for all, self-determination, and caring for each other. Passed unanimously by the DSA National Politiall Committee trust in those institutions of government. West continued from page 2 When the Rodney King verdict was put that's the only way to stay alive, feel alive. forth, the chicken came home to roost. It came But what happens in a culture in which the home to roost because so much of the effects and desire for stimulation produces addicted per consequences in that post-industrial city, shot sonalities, in which getting over and getting off, through with post-modem culture and politics, rather than getting better and making connec have created a feeling of powerlessness. People tions, holds sway? The invasion of market could not put up any longer with this sense of activity, especially commodity fetishism, has powerlessness, and hence, an expression of transformed communities: you got to have it, outrage. The combination of politics, meaning got to have it. It cuts across every nook and lessness, frustration, alienation, all of these cranny in th.is society. The result 1s the erosion of things interwoven created the tragic lives of the nurturing system for children. I'm not just each and every person dead from the riots. And talking about the one in five American children yet these lives are now shaking the foundations who live in poverty nght now, I' m not just of the nation such that even President Bush talking about the one in two black and brown coming to LA at least has to say a word about children who live in poverty, I' m talking about race. I'm sure he hadn't planned to two weeks the state of their souls and their minds and their before. He got motivated. That's very impor hearts. We as an Americans are raising a gen tant, because Bush, is part of a larger political eration of young brothers and sisters who are discourse, since 1968, in which allusions to race socially deracinated and culturally deluded. have been central to the conservative domina They have very few effective ways that give tion of politics. This discourse has created divi them love, care, concern, teach them to be con sion along racial lines through code words. cerned with others, teach them to have a whole That's associated with black folk especially, but hearted need rather than an impoverished sense also people of color, and gays and lesbians. For of being alive. And that's true across the board, the last 20 years, 24 years, presidential politics not just in South Central Los Angeles, but also has practiced this discourse of division. But true out in Simi Valley too -- check those kids now Bush has to talk about the legacy of racism out. American young people's suicide rates explicitly, and about how Rodney King was have doubled, and then tripled over the last 20 transformed into Willie Horton in the percep years. tion of some. Last but not least is post-modem politics, Does Bush bear the responsibility? That's the political equivalent of a market culture. Our not the point. The point is to promote change. country produces political leaders that lack any The point is to insure critical dialogue. It can't kind of broad moral or social vision, that are simply be a dialogue in which one comes to the mediocre leaders. Post-modem politics are a table feeling one has the truth on one's side, you politics of image and are characterized by the have to be open to critical exchange. And that's break down of the accountabiltty mechanism very important. Why? Because open dialogue between politicians and their constituency. Poli revitalizes our public sphere and enables it to ticians spend their time running for the next survive. There is very little meaningful talk election, waiting for a response from demoral about race in the U.S. That must change. ml ized and demobilized citizens-- more and more Americans reject politics as a meaningful ve Corne/ West is a DSA Honorary Chair and chair of hicle for change, hence the erosion of the public Afro-Ameriam Studies at Prmceton University. MAY/JUN£ 1992 17 Celebrate What? Can We Use the Columbus Quincentenary To Forge A New Politics of Equality and Understanding? BY LORETTA J. WILLIAMS he replicas of the Nina, Pinta and the index of infant mortality, education, access Santa Maria are on display here in the to health care, etc. Its roots? An excerpt from U.S. After eight years of hyped build Columbus' log: "They... brought us parrots and T up, courtesy of former President Re balls of cotton and cane spears and many other agan's Federal Quincentenary Jubilee Commis things, which they exchanged for the glass sion, the civic observances of the 500th anniver beads and hawks' bells. They willingly traded sary of Christopher Columbus' "discovery" of everything they owned. .. they were well-built, the New World have begun. For the descen with good bodies and handsome features . .. dants of the survivors of that invasion, the rapes they do not bear arms, and do not know them, and massacres of this hemisphere and the sub for I showed them a sword, they took it by the sequent enslavements of indigenous peoples of edge and cut themselves out of ignorance . .. the Americas and of Africa both, the celebratory they would make fine servants. with fifty men mood is a travesty. we could subjugate them and make them do It's essential that the left criticize the glitz whatever we want." and distortions of the civic celebrations - but What began in 1492 was the violation of that in itself is not sufficient. The role of skeptic indigenous people -- people who looked differ and critic is familiar, and the founding of this ent from the Europeans, people who were nation must be named for what it was: invasion, judged to be exploitable on the basis of color, exploitation, conquest, the attempted destruc language, and practices. tion of a people. 1492 indeed was a world changing date. Among Today's "Discoveries" The Quincentenary spotlight provides a Fast forward to today: a 1990s "discovery" window to the core realities of our culture, and in heartland, USA. AmeriFlora opened in Co an opportunity to counter the denial of the leg lumbus, Ohio, this April as part of a series of acy of conquest that is part of being a U.S. local and national Quincentennial celebrations. citizen. During this year of the red, white and It has been promoted as the most comprehen blue draped splendiforously around Christo sive horticultural extravaganza ever. When the pher Columbus, the patron saint of white Amer city fathers of Columbus welcomed the oppor ica, we must do more to "walk the talk" of tunity to host this tourist attraction, tl1ey looked possibilities for the next 500 years ahead. around the city for a location sufficiently grand. Did they find 'empty land' just waiting to be The Log Itself 'discovered', as in our national cr~ation myth? We must begin by highlighting the racial No. In fact, the power elite in Columbus found contours of the state itself. The color line has the ideal spot and appropriated it: Franklin been deeply embedded in our cultural soil from Park, a flourishing neighborhood park central to day one, and still leads to the most of the worst the African American community. The park accruing to people of color, whether one uses was the place where parents taught teenagers 18 DEMOCRATIC LEFT how to drive, where family and neighbors gath , ered for picnics. The land was commandeered. OLVMB v Made off limits. Iron picket fences were in stalled blocking the entryways. Where were the progressives in all this? Did they stand in solidarity with the neighborhood activists trying to hold on to a valued commu nity resource? Not at all. Blind Spots Denial and evasion of today's realities of conquest are manifold in our midst. So, too, the denial that racism, rather than equality, is the defining hallmark of U.S. history. 500 years have sunk deeply the roots of whiteness as property right. Yet some have the audacity to propose the "ideal" of a color-blind society. Reality must be faced: the U.S. has always been color-struck. Race profoundly determines our political rights, location in the labor market, sense of identity, privileges or lack thereof. It's time for the left to recognize that assimilation and integration as goals are deeply flawed for they leave power and control in white elite hands. Pandering to White Resentment President Bush's new world order is both a continuing result of the conquest and ecocide woven into our nation's founding, and a thrash ing behemoth of our continuing history. Human beings constructed, and construct, by force, "race" as a tool of oppression. That tool contin ues to be wielded to divide those who exploit and those who are exploitable. The dangerous rhetoric about Christopher Columbus is augmented this year by the politi cal posturing around the white middle class, the appeasing words and action of politicians and opinion shapers about the "legitimate resent ment" of whites. Segments of the white public perceive blacks and people of color as today's digenous and Popular Resistance by brown, savages and heathens, lesser beings whose black, red and golden peoples of the Americas. demands on a non-inclusive "us" are illegiti Meetings have been held in Ecuador, Brazil, mate. Guatemala, elsewhere. People of color are or Anne Braden, journalist and organizer, puts ganizing across national and linguistic borders it succinctly. "It seems to me that people who for 1992 is also a time to take pride in the buy the reverse discrimination myth assume resiliency of people holding strong to justice for that if things are going to be rough, at least they all possibilities. (the whites) should get the best." The only way Will the progressive community add jus to generate fairness, Braden says, is to stick tice-actions to that mix? Within interfaith together, one and all. circles, we speak of 1992 as a ka1ros moment, a teachable moment in time and space for us to Resistance & Mobilization problematize much more of what we have Another mobilization is occurring this year taken-for-granted in our assumptions and cul -- a continental campaign for 500 Years of In- ture. 1992/Kairos USA, a faith based partner- MAY/JUNE 1992 19 "taken-for-granted." It is a cynical labeling by those seeking to maintain power and privileges in elite white hands. The far right promotion of this coded term has succeeded in dividing good "normal" people from those with unreasonable "special interests." And what if we use a stepping-stone ap proach, raising how the issue of bilingualism today might parallel some happenings centuries ago when Europeans came to find persons speaking in a language different than their own. (People, incidentally, who welcomed the strangers in their midst.) Why is it that so many teachers are threatened by Latino and Latina students who are comfortable with speaking one language at home and another at school? Why isn't bilingualism and trilingualism seen as J a strength and resource not a deficit? Can we l shed false illusions about inclusion? The Global Connection We must name how racism is behind the attempts by the North (the white First World) to Latina girls at celebration of the quincentenary (and its com control the South (the dark Third World). As the Hispanic mercial variants) as an imperial liturgy not only David DuBois, Visiting Professor at University Columbus retelling lies of the past, but building a consen of Massachusetts - Amherst, sees it: "Main Day Parade In sus for more of the same: a two-tiered system of stream white Americans ... must be convinced New York global and domestic economic apartheid. This is that it is right and just that their sons and daugh City. the time and place for resistance and hopeful ters be prepared to take up arms against that action." vast sea of multicolored humanity that threat Racism need not be perpetuated by any ens to engulf the European, or white world. conspiracy of intention, but simply as a result of Once white America is so convinced, those the ways in which daily, routine things occur - forces within the industrial/military complex the dominating standard and norms in opera that set America's agenda will have a free hand tion. Institutional procedures that perpetuate to control and direct Third World emergence the advantages and privileges of one group of and development.." people over another are manifestations of ra 1992 can be a time that progressives cut back cism. deeply the weed of racism -- the kudzu vine of white supremacist assumptions that Alice Some Possible Strategies Walker talks about. We must plant alternative language, images 1992 is a time to join in activities led by and explanations that counter the myth of re black, brown and golden people that bring for verse discrimination, and the steady consolida ward the silenced interpretation of the 1492 tion of institutionalized racism world-wide. We event and its consequences, as well as highlight can "piggy-back" on the Quincentenary by a today's mirrored continuity in conquest and coordinated print media strategy. And can we expropriation. 1992 -- "We are called to join establish a better grounding base for national Native Americans, African Americans, and so pride in the different metaphor than conquest? many others who have for 500 years refused to We who are wordsrniths must remember to fill cooperate with oppression. "It's time, folks, that the hope deficit as well as the information defi we better "walk the talk". ml cit, for it is vision and hope that will sustain us for the long haul struggle. Loretta J. Williams, DSA Religion and Socialism What if we used the focus on the so-called Commission, is a sociologist and activist working on nation's founding to unmask the talk about alternative Quincentenary commemorations and "special interest groups". Were the Tainos and commitments. Arawaks "special interest groups?" The term Fora copy ofthe 1992/Kairos USA statement, send SASE t.ol<.airos has been insinuated into popular discourse as a USA , Room 572, 475 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10115. 20 DEMOCRATIC LEFT JAPAN'S NEW POVERTY While its economic might continues to BY SASKIA SASSEN grow, rising he current round of Japan bashing for their factories in the numbers of leaves out a crucial fact: While it!> U.S., and in Thailand for economic might continues to grow, their factories in Japan. Japanese T rising numbers of Japanese workers Second, growing parts are experiencing declining real incomes, job in of the Japanese econ workers are security, chronic fatigue, and work-related ill- omy, especially in serv ness. In addition, many will neYer own a home, ices, fall outside the tra experiencing nor be able to find more than casual or part-time ditional Japanese eco jobs. Unemployment is a reality for many nomic organization, declining real people and earnings inequality has sharpened. with its much noted life Although, none of these conditions in japan long job security. incomes, job are as acute as they are in the U.S., they affect a Enough time has large number of people. And they point in the passed since the high insecurity, same direction traveled by other great economic growth period of the powers in our present era: poverty and margin 1950s and 1960s, when chronic fatigue, ality for significant sc:ctors of the population. Japan built its industrial Two great wealth-producing powers -- the U.S. economy, to evaluate and work and, earlier, England, have not succeeded in the long term results. escaping this fate. Has Japan really suc related illness. Although poverty in Japan has not reached ceeded where England the extent of the new poverty evident in such and the U.S. have cities as New York and London, it can no longer failed? That is, has it created new forms of be said that japan represents a truly different wealth without producing new forms of pov model of growth in terms of the economy's the erty and marginality? sooal impact. Many analysts and commenta tors have put forth an image of the Japanese The Emerging Inner City economic sys tern as radically different from that Let's start with what is the heart of the of the U.S., an economy free of the failures Japanese economic powerhouse -- Tokyo. troubling us. Alongside its expensive, densely built central business district, there is a broad area long Low Wages, High Profits occupied by the working class and small-scale But although the Japanese economy is or factories. Not surprisingly it has suffered eco ganized differently from that of the U.S., we nomic decline. But this decline has gone beyond need to recognize two realities that are mostly the garden variety "creative destruction." Se ignored by the U.S. press. The first is that many vere physical decay and social disintegration Japanese firms seek low wages and high profits now replace what had been thriving neighbor -- just as many U.S. firms do -- and hence have hoods. In the worst affected areas, such as the set up factories m Mexico to produce auto-parts ward of Taino, there is also growing criminality MAY/JUNE 1992 21 and vandalism. Increasing numbers of old in the U.S. Th.is has all contributed to a decline in people are now homeless, their sons and daugh the already limited bargaining power of the ters having long ago left for the suburbs and large unions in the annual spring wage negotia two-hour commutes. Tokyo has also experi tions. This is evident in the declining rate of enced an enormous growth in the market for wage increases and in growing job insecurity. daily workers, where large numbers of illegal The much-hailed Japanese life-long job security immigrants from Thailand, Pakistan, and the now covers only about 22 percent of the Philippines try to sell their labor. workforce. Some of this decay is the direct result of There are also signs of economic insecurity forced displacement of factories and low-in among sectors of the working and middle class. come households for cen Part-time jobs make up a rapidly increasing tra I business district ex share of all available jobs. At the same time, the pansion. There has been a gap between part-time and full-time salaries has Many Japanese savage struggle within increased-- in 1977 part-time workers earned 80 Tokyo in the 1980s to ac percent of full-time earnings, today it is down to commentators are cumulate small parcels of 60 percent. The rate of homeownership has beginning to land. Firms have resorted fallen to 57 percent in Tokyo, and the average to using organized crimi size of apartments has fallen from 57 square speak of the nals, known as the meters in 1980 to 46 square metes in 1987. "yakusa." Arson and ter "hollowing out" of ror are sometimes re A Third Way? ported in land acquisition Being a great economic power in today's the Japanese disputes used. Forbes world does not ensure economic well being for economy magazine has estimated all of a nation's residents. We need for govern that real estate companies ments to address the costs, many inevitable, of ··and even of used ten billion yen in economic growth. But it is not enough for gov 1987 for the services of ernment to intervene only to maximize existing deindustrialization, such gangsters. The over forms of economic growth. The Japanese gov all result of economic ernment was a crucial player in the building of a term familiar to transformation alongside the Japanese economy, and it has made a large forced displacement has difference. But today more, or perhaps some many in the U.S. been the emergence of thing different, is needed. Policy makers in the what some are calling an U.S. must recognize that Japan is not a "third inner city -- extreme way," a model that avoids the sharp failures forms of physical, social, and economic decay evident in our economy. What are not indica such as are found in the centers of such cities as tions of growing poverty and marginality in New York or London. Japan may well develop into ma1or conditions, if effective and courageous political action does Hollowing Out not emerge. OneofJapan's greatest sources of economic When U.S. workers join with our govern power, the manufacturing sector, is also under ment in blaming Japan's trading practices for going tremendous changes. A growing number the U.S. recession, they are on the wrong track. of factories moving off-shore, especially to low Top level management in much of the private wage Asian countries. Japan now has a thriving sectors of both countries takes away from work auto parts and electronics components manu ers more than it gives them. And our govern facturing sector in Thailand producing for its ments are failing to take necessary long term factories in Japan. And it has about forty such action. Our government blaming Japan and the factories in Northern Mexico producing for its Japanese government blaming U.S. workers Honda, Mazda, and joint-ownership plants in keeps the cover-up going. Workers in both the U.S. Japanese firms have closed dozens of countries are paymg the price. Im mines, at times emptying whole towns. While the levels involved are minimal compared with off-shoring and plant closures in the U.S. The Saskia Sassen, a DSA member, is a professor of urban process is just beginning. Many Japanese cum planning at Columbia University This article is mentators are beginning to speak of the "hol based on the author's new book, The Global City: lowing out" of the Japanese economy and even New York, London, Tokyo (Princeton Univer of deindustrialization, a term familiar to many sity Press, 1991). 22 DEMOCRATIC LEf"f Democratic Socialists of America Join tis! Members of the Democratic Socialists of America work in immediate struggles for justice -- as we build a movement for long-term social change. We bring to our work a strategy for building alliances among social movements and a vision of a more just and equitable society. 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So maybe George Bush isn't so bad after all. It seems Clarence Thomas, Alan Simpson, he has increased Medicaid spending by 80 percent since Orrin Hatch and Dow Coming were top he's been in office. So why didn't we notice? Over two award winners in the 1992 Coalition of thirds of the increase went to doctors, hospitals, and Labor Union Women Hit and Ms. drug companies. Maybe Bush is worse than we thought. Awards. Those enemies of women eve rywhere won Hit awards, while Anita Hill, Carol Moseley Braun and the Pro Choice Marchers (all one million of AND WHAT ARE RAMPARTS? them!) won Ms. Awards. The awards Americans may think they are patriotic -- but do are given each year in conjunction with Working they know what patriotism means? A recent poll shows Women's Awareness Week. that one-quarter of all Americans don't know what event the Fourth of July commemorates. And one in four Americans don't know the name of the country the AWARDS II U.S. declared independence from in 1776. After Debra Chasnoff won an Oscar for her anti-GE documentary, "Deadly Deception," GE reported that the film had had no impact and that it had only received two ONE SMALL STEP. .. calls regarding the film. But if you wanted to organize A step forward for women -- Signe Wilkinson, a against GE, who would you call? Lots of people knew Philadelphia Daily News cartoonist, has become the first that answer and jammed the switchboards at Infact, the woman to win a Pulitzer for cartoons. And two steps anti-nuclear group that produced "Deadly Deception." backward --Georgetown has retracted official status for lnfact reports that it received seventy requests for the GU Choice, a pro-choice student group. Meanwhile, film during the morning hours after the Academy Catholic administrators at Villanova have been harass Awards. Congratulations to Chasnoff and Infact. ing the DSA chapter there for advocating choice. + Democratic Left + Labor Day Issue 1992· 'The Labor Day issue of Democratic Left will once again be dedicated to coverage of the American and international labor struggle. Our annual Labor Day ad campaign is the principle fundraiser for Democratic Left. It provides an excellent opportunity for you to join with trade unions, progressive organizations, and DSA members to show your support for DSA and Democratic Left. We welcome advertisements and personal greetings from individuals, DSA locals, organizations and progressive busineses. We must receive ad copy by Wednesday, August 12, 1992. Make checks payable to DSA, or pay by credit card. 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