The Proposal to the Convention on DSA Media is Misguided

We need to invest and expand our publications and media, not liquidate. 
 
By Alexander Hernández 
 (Includes Proposed Amendments) 

Since 2019 there have been four instances the convention has taken up questions referencing Editorial Boards. In one instance a reference to the Democratic Left Editorial Board and another to the NPCs role in overseeing all Editorial Boards. 
 
Two other instances were with reference to an Editorial Board orienting towards Latinx communities. In the first case, 2019 resolution Orienting towards Latinx communities was the most voted for resolution to pass on the consent agenda. The 2019-2021 NPC failed to implement this convention mandate. 
 
While an attempt to bring the issue to convention 2021, via resolution #36 Prioritizing Working-class Latino Organizing in DSA,  was ultimately tabled due to lack of time; the 2021-2023 NPC allowed for the originally passed mandate and follow up resolution to remain tabled. 
 
If the goal is to revitalize our publications, you do not do so by cutting the budget or consolidating the work. You do so by investing into our publications and media. And one crucial way already mandated is to create the editorial board for Latinos Socialistas. 
 
The reason our Democratic Left went from 18 pages to 4 is not from lack of volunteers and membership input, rather from a failure in leadership to act or rather even realize that a 20% budgetary cut across the board included the organization's publication
 
The current proposal circulating is misguided and should be rejected as currently presented.  In the event the proposal reaches convention, I would offer the  amendment  below to truly revitalize our publications and media as a top national priority. Starting by fulfilling our commitment of orienting and organizing Latinx communities. 
 
Proposed amendment to revitalize and expand DSA publications as national priority
 ( Editor's note. It has become clear through posts on social media that the original post below did not show all the details.  This was an error in our posting. 

Note; the substitute proposal is here.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-6IqVB0oCvJPhuRjTNpZpJxFCxHJe4DK/view?usp=drivesdk

This resolution  may not get to the convention.  It was developed to illustrate what was wrong with the original proposal. 

Proposed amendment to revitalize and expand DSA publications as national priority
 
Be it therefore resolved that the revitalization and expansion of DSA publications and media will be a top national priority.
Resolved the National Political Committee will initiate the selection of an Editorial Board as mandated by 2019 resolution #6 Orienting to Latinx Communities, that the Latinos Socialistas Editorial Board be composed of 9 4 Editors elected no later than 3 months after this each national convention by the NPC following a public call for nominations open to all DSA members in good standing,
 
Resolved that DSA’s publications will continue to be open to the participation of members in good standing; to that end, the NPC  will create a public sign-up form for DSA members to volunteer in producing  any publication (Latinos Socialistas, Democratic Left Print, Democratic Left Blog or Socialist Forum), and will follow up with each member who submits the form,
 
Resolved that the Editorial Board will choose among itself an Editor-in-Chief, functionally the chair, responsible for organizing meetings and ensuring tasks are bottom lined, and that all Board members have equal votes on matters,
 
 
 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-6IqVB0oCvJPhuRjTNpZpJxFCxHJe4DK/view?usp=drivesdk

​Resolved that the Editorial Board will choose among itself an Editor-in-Chief, functionally the chair, responsible for organizing meetings and ensuring tasks are bottom lined, and that all Board members have equal votes on matters,
 
Resolved that, at least once a month the Editorial Board will review the articles submitted for consideration, and, for every article submitted, will take a vote on whether or not to publish, either as a whole board or in subcommittee,
 
Resolved that the Editorial Board prioritizes publishing content centered around DSA’s political stances,
 
Resolved that the Editorial Board publication geared towards current and future members of the wider U.S. left, publishing articles around 800 to 1,800 words that touch on political topics of interest to DSA members through news commentary and analysis, chapter and campaign report-backs, focused political discussion, and cultural criticism,
 
Resolved that the NPC will develop and implement a plan to expand the digital and physical reach of Democratic Left and Socialist Forum, including but not limited to a plan to expand the print issues of Democratic Left (in number of pages and word count) by August 2024,
 
Resolved that the NPC provide DSA publications  with a budget to carry out their respective missions  and expansion of Democratic Left and Socialist Forum,
 
Resolved that the NPC will ensure that the print version of Democratic Left solicits and features regular reports, including from national committees, the NPC, chapters, and DSA-endorsed socialists in office,
 
Resolved that the Democratic Left and Socialist Forum continue to promote content using email and social media, including but not limited to circulating publication news and announcements, engaging with DSA members and chapters to solicit and republish content, and sharing individual articles,
 
Resolved that the NPC ensures that Democratic Left and Socialist Forum publish content primarily created or co-created by DSA members, including but not limited to content republished from other publications.

Resolution with mark ups
​
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-6IqVB0oCvJPhuRjTNpZpJxFCxHJe4DK/view?usp=drivesdk

 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-6IqVB0oCvJPhuRjTNpZpJxFCxHJe4DK/view?usp=drivesdk