Young Democratic Socialists of America club formed on campus
A Utah State University chapter of the Young Democratic Socialists of America is the newest political club on campus.
Spearheaded by Diego Mendiola, the USU DSA is the farthest-left club USU has ever known. Despite this, the members maintain that it’s more important to focus on mutual respect and joint effort to achieve common goals than to get hung up on differences.
The DSA holds values that are congruent with other political parties, such as transparency and accountability within government institutions.
Lynsey Kinchla, a club leader, said that some of the main points on the DSA docket are “prison reform, livable wages, universal healthcare, education, and equality and justice.”
According to DSA members, the way to navigate these issues is with a horizontal structure of government rather than the present hierarchical system. This is also the way the club leadership is organized.
“We all have the same say on the issues that we focus on, on the things that we do, and on the activities we have,” said Mendiola.
Brandon Christensen, another prominent DSA member, said he hopes the club “promotes a diverse range of ideologies” because “it’s better to have a lot of different people with different ideas coming together.”
Members stress that people of all perspectives are welcome to attend club meetings and express their views.
“We had people come to our social who were self-described as conservative,” said Christensen. “They were just trying to figure out what we’re all about.”
Kinchla asserted that in an open dialogue, people must respect one another’s ideas and opinions. Members of the DSA “want to create an open and honest space for anybody, including people who don’t agree with our views.”
The USU chapter of the DSA hopes to eradicate common misconceptions people have about the political left. Kinchla said that this open community is here to unite individuals, help them understand various ideologies and become more engaged in politics and social reform.
Mendiola said another way the DSA club hopes to bring people together is by building bridges with other clubs on campus. Members of the DSA actively support other groups’ relevant activities, such as the Sustainability Club lobbying for a ban on plastic bags in city council meetings.
As the club continues to gain ground, activities will focus on raising awareness of modern social, economic, and political issues and offering a new perspective for how to find solutions to these complex problems.
Kinchla said that participation in the club leads to an understanding of the importance of taking ownership of the political system, whether that means participating in it or trying to change it.
Being involved in politics helps people make more sense of their ever-changing cultural environment. “And if you’re paying attention,” said Mendiola, “you might be able to have a say in how things change.”
The DSA meets every other Wednesday at various locations.
To find out more about DSA events, follow them on Twitter (@usudsa), Instagram (@usuydsa), or Facebook (Utah State University DSA).