Socialist Alternative

By Laura Madsen
Bloomington, MN

Like many in my generation, I became politically conscious because of September 11 and the Iraq War. My older brother started the Youth Against War and Racism club at Kennedy, where we both attended high school three years ago. He and other friends of ours were with Socialist Alternative. The arguments that the socialist kids were making always seemed to be the best explanations of the events that were unfolding around me.

Joining the organization was only natural since I agreed with their stances, in particular on the real reasons for racism, sexism, and homophobia; the hate that affects all of us everyday. People aren’t racist or sexist because one race or gender is actually inferior or even because people are naturally scared of differences. It is because discrimination divides the working class, making it harder to unite against the ruling class.

To have an upper class, there must be a lower-class majority. The only way to keep the people down is through divisions. I refuse to believe it has to be this way and so I am working towards a socialist future. In a workers’ democracy, there would not be different classes – just people collectively making decisions, with full rights and participation for our sisters and brothers of every race, gender, and sexual orientation.