University-based activist groups

[Invincible Summer]

So there's a group at my university that calls themselves the Students for a Democratic Society (a la the group from the 60s) - I think they're part of a wide-reaching uni network of SDS groups - and I'm not sure whether it's worth getting involved with them.

Their politics seem fairly "left" (and their manifesto of sorts can be found here: http://www.uresistance.ca/getinvolved.html), and some of their members I somewhat know I think claim to be anarchists (although they have their fair share of "OMG give peace a chance!" hippies) but they seem more concentrated on "resisting" on-campus and focusing their attention to issues that really only affect the campus.

I understand every group has its purpose, but if I wanted to start getting active in an anarchist/anarchist-friendly org, would this group that - from what I've seen - only really does these micro-scale things be worth the time?

[bretty]

So there's a group at my university that calls themselves the Students for a Democratic Society (a la the group from the 60s) - I think they're part of a wide-reaching uni network of SDS groups - and I'm not sure whether it's worth getting involved with them.

Their politics seem fairly "left" (and their manifesto of sorts can be found here: http://www.uresistance.ca/getinvolved.html), and some of their members I somewhat know I think claim to be anarchists (although they have their fair share of "OMG give peace a chance!" hippies) but they seem more concentrated on "resisting" on-campus and focusing their attention to issues that really only affect the campus.

I understand every group has its purpose, but if I wanted to start getting active in an anarchist/anarchist-friendly org, would this group that - from what I've seen - only really does these micro-scale things be worth the time?

I find a lot of groups on campus are just talk. However on my campus the groups frequently turn into campus riots or fights.. I'd find a group off campus for political work but i'd also keep in touch with campus groups because you'll make friends,network and it might be worth it after all just don't expect a group of like-minds.

[jake williams]

Get in on it for sure. I don't know what's going to happen yet with the neo-SDS experiment, but I think it can only help to get some radical voices in. As mentioned, it'll help with networking if nothing else, they'll be at least a couple more radical people who you'll want to meet - and it doesn't even hurt to have a bigger network of moderate leftists in your local community.

About the specificity of campus action - there's important work to be done on university campuses. The most important stuff is radicalizing, education, politicization, and democratization though, and that isn't always what goes on. It's not perfect, and yeah, you want more outside action, but still, get in on it.

[Bitter Ashes]

Oh and talk with the local paper and student newspaper too when you've got a few members. Should increase your membership, improving solidarity.
If you can get a frontpage headline of "Students standing up for better rent!" then you're onto a winner. Hey, we can dream huh?

[StalinFanboy]

I've noticed that the membership of SDS really depends on the city. Some are really liberal and some are anarchists, although even the anarchists in SDS are pretty liberal.

[Invincible Summer]

Oh and talk with the local paper and student newspaper too when you've got a few members. Should increase your membership, improving solidarity.
If you can get a frontpage headline of "Students standing up for better rent!" then you're onto a winner. Hey, we can dream huh?

Just so you know, I'm not starting a group - I'm wondering if a group is worth joining. Thanks for the heads up anyway :cool:


I've noticed that the membership of SDS really depends on the city. Some are really liberal and some are anarchists, although even the anarchists in SDS are pretty liberal.

Yeah, the people I've talked to seem more of the latter.


I'll talk to some people I know and maybe attend a meeting or two.
It's always awkward going to the first meeting and being the "new guy"

[redSHARP]

SDS varies from chapter to chapter, so feel the group out; if they are cool, then join them.

SDS varies from anarchist to liberal, and these groups clash sometimes (more of a battle of words then actual fights) and causes people to mislabel SDS using a general blanket statement.

[Invincible Summer]

SDS varies from chapter to chapter, so feel the group out; if they are cool, then join them.

SDS varies from anarchist to liberal, and these groups clash sometimes (more of a battle of words then actual fights) and causes people to mislabel SDS using a general blanket statement.


Yeah I used to dismiss them as a bunch of hippie "left liberals" due to some of their previous actions, but recently they've started to show a more radical side (organizing a pseudo black bloc action and discussing direct actions and stuff) so I thought I'd give them a chance.

[Armand Iskra]

Yeah I used to dismiss them as a bunch of hippie "left liberals" due to some of their previous actions, but recently they've started to show a more radical side (organizing a pseudo black bloc action and discussing direct actions and stuff) so I thought I'd give them a chance.


Well...
The tendency of that Broad SDS will end up having many factions. Having Liberals and Socialists cannot be joined together, they are likely to contradict, or perhaps trying to get the postition.

Perhaps, there is a need for a rectification movement, to reaffirm their responsibilities, purge the opportunists and careerists within the student movement; or end up worse, like havin a strong red turn into a pale pink.

[Pawn Power]

So there's a group at my university that calls themselves the Students for a Democratic Society (a la the group from the 60s) - I think they're part of a wide-reaching uni network of SDS groups - and I'm not sure whether it's worth getting involved with them.

Their politics seem fairly "left" (and their manifesto of sorts can be found here: http://www.uresistance.ca/getinvolved.html), and some of their members I somewhat know I think claim to be anarchists (although they have their fair share of "OMG give peace a chance!" hippies) but they seem more concentrated on "resisting" on-campus and focusing their attention to issues that really only affect the campus.

I understand every group has its purpose, but if I wanted to start getting active in an anarchist/anarchist-friendly org, would this group that - from what I've seen - only really does these micro-scale things be worth the time?

If you want the SDS chapter on your campus to pursue other more radical work, join them and make it happen! Chapters become liberal or radical based on the people who join, it is the responsibility of radicals to push our groups left.

[jake williams]

Chapters become liberal or radical based on the people who join, it is the responsibility of radicals to push our groups left.
This is an important point.