Social Forum and Social Struggle

This June 22 ” 26 in Detroit, Michigan, thousands of people are expected to attend the 2nd United States Social Forum (USSF). Inspired by the World Social Forum (WSF), an international gathering of progressive organizations and individuals operating under the banner of “Another World is Possible,” the first USSF (Atlanta 2007) brought together a very broad cross-section of progressive organizations and activists running the gamut from labor unions to Native American land activists. This year’s gathering promises to be just as exciting, broad and energizing.

The Detroit gathering could not come at a more important time. The Obama presidential win, instead of inspiring greater mass, progressive action, brought with it a generalized demobilization within social movements. While indications seem to be that this is changing – for the better – it has taken an exceptionally long time for progressives to recognize that the “order of the day” must be to put significant, sustained and directed pressure on the Obama administration and the Democrats in Congress rather than waiting for them to deliver.

The USSF in 2007 brought together precisely the forces that need to be in motion today. In fact, many of them are in motion, but they are so largely in relative organizational isolation from one another. The upcoming Detroit gathering, therefore, provides an opportunity for the sort of experiential exchange and strategizing that is necessary at this time.

The Detroit USSF is important for another reason. Not only must there be pressure on the Obama administration and the Democrats in Congress, but it is past time that two inter-related discussions take place, and take place beyond the walls of small meetings. The first concerns the need for a broad, united response to right-wing populism. The irrationalism and the paramilitary stance that has grown within that sector of the political Right can no longer be ignored, but must be actively opposed. Opposition to right-wing populism will necessitate mass action as well as mass political education. The USSF is a starting point for both.

The second discussion concerns the need to put the struggle for power on the agenda. Our fight must go far beyond the bounds of resistance to the political Right, and pressuring liberal and centrist Democrats. It must evolve to the point that we are fighting to advance a progressive agenda that has both an organizational form as well as candidates for office who truly represent the agenda. At the core of such an agenda and such a movement must be the black worker, a segment of the population which has been buffeted by the currents from economic restructuring and the current economic crisis. The USSF can be one venue for just that discussion, and for the gathering of those committed to implementing it.

There is little question that the USSF will be successful in turnout and inspiration. The question is whether the USSF will be successful in terms of representing a launch pad for progressive projects that address the moment in which we find ourselves. Exchanging information and experiences has a value on its own terms, but the greater value of the USSF will be found if and when joint, strategic action can emerge that resonates among millions of people who reject the insanity of the political Right, but are also dissatisfied by the very partial answers to the crises we face advanced by mainstream political figures.

You need to be there to ensure the proper result.

[For more information on the US Social Forum, go to: http://www.ussf2010.org/]