ussf

Desperate times call for creative minds!

--By Emily Moldy

If you don't know them for their dope music or community activism here in Oakland, you should recognize them from blogs about the U.S. Social Forum (on YMR's website which you should be checking out daily!) They are: AJ Thrower (YMR) and Tania Pulido (RYSE)... and they are two of many Bay Area youth who attended this year's U.S. Social Forum, where they spent time with thousands of other artists, activists, and like-minded folks who are SERIOUSLY ready to change the world..

It's true that now, more than ever, young folks have a powerful voice in movement towards changing our worlds. Here at YMR we talk a lot about movement (like "youth movement" "social movement", etc).. but what exactly is this movement? Where is it going? What does it look like?

This past Monday, YMR hosted a meeting in the lab for anyone to come and listen to what AJ, Tania, and YMR's Video Coordinator, Dan Reilly had to say about their journey to the East Coast to represent YMR at the U.S. Social Forum in Detroit, MI. They brought back with them a contagious energy talking about being creative to make changes in their communities, neighborhoods, and throughout the country. Bono of U2 once said, "This is a time for bold measures. This is the country, and you are the generation.” Imagine if we actually came together with our art (whatever form of art that may be) to use as both our medicine for healing and weapon for resistance, and imagine if we got to brainstorming... we really could run this town.

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YMR's AJ Thrower interviews Liberation Ink at U.S. Social Forum

Check out AJ's interview with Emunah Yunka Edinburgh from Bay Area's own Liberation Ink, a printing and design collective which makes & sells conscious shirts to support social justice organizations. At this year's U.S. Social Forum in Detroit, AJ connected with them to see what kind of work they're doing in our community and across the country. To find out more about liberation ink, go to http://www.liberationink.org

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Dan's Reflections on the US Social Forum 2010

By Dan Reilly (Video Coordinator)

Attending the US Social Forum this past week in Detroit, Michigan was a truly inspirational experience – one that I am sure to carry with me for years to come.

First off, I unexpectedly reconnected with a number of individuals from around the country that I have worked with in the past. I guess I’ve never really stopped to think about how long I’ve been working on social justice issues and how many wonderful people I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with during that time. Seeing all those people again really brought back a lot of positive memories and has renewed my commitment to forge new relationships with others in the future.

Secondly, my experience in Detroit reinforced personal ideologies that have guided my work in the past and will continue to guide it in the future. To briefly list just a few that arose during workshops and discussions with fellow anarchists:

• The principle of “Social Insertion.” Anarchists should be there to demonstrate our value to movements by bringing our belief systems, material support, and experience as activists and organizers to those movements.
• Revolution comes from people’s movements. Anarchists don’t start revolutions; we offer those movements ideas and support.
• The principle of “Transformative Justice”. Basically the belief that we can derive a structural analysis from interpersonal relationships and struggles and use that analysis to promote positive transformations of individuals and groups.
• From a current member of SDS: “I don’t see any such thing as a radical tactic. There’s only effective tactics and ineffective tactics.”
• One of the most powerful tools we have at our disposal is the ability to “frame shift.”
• Effective communication is about moving and triggering people’s core values.
• Social Justice Leaders (anarchists included) need to be strategic, creative and disciplined.

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US Social Forum 2010 Impressions - Night 4

After the last full day at the US Social Forum 2010, check out the key points, thoughts and ideas that this year's YMR representatives will be taking back home to the Bay Area.

What is the US Social Forum?

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US Social Forum 2010 Impressions - Night 3

Check out Dan Reilly (Video Coordinator), AJ Thrower (YMR youth representative & emcee), Tania Pulido's (YMR youth representative via RYSE Center) thoughts on Day 3 of the US Social Forum in Detroit. Looks like a lot of lessons, connections, historical accounts, and energy were shared, see for yourself, below!

What is the US Social Forum?

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A New World is Possible Another US is Necessary- USSF

By Tania Pulido

“A New World is Possible Another US is Necessary” is this year slogan for the 2010 US Social Forum at Detroit, Michigan.

Since my community activism began it seems as if pieces of my life puzzle are finally coming together. As a youth involved with the RYSE Center and YMR (Youth Movement Records) I have been lucky enough to meet phenomenal individuals and be part of a youth movement in the East Bay. This year they gave me the opportunity to attend the US Social Forum in Detroit, Michigan. 

I will attend a series of workshops throughout my time in Detroit. Ranging from spirituality, social justice, to environment justice and so on. I hope to gain a dept of knowledge across many boards. Listen to stories of people fighting against oppression in their communities. Learn from elders and youth alike who are active and organizing. I am looking forward to being inspired and having a re-energizing spirit by the end of it all. It’s hard sometimes to keep faith when you feel the negativity from your own people.

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US Social Forum 2010 Impressions - Night 2

Check out what AJ Thrower (YMR youth artist representative), Fred Thomas (RYSE Media Coordinator), Tania Pulido (YMR youth representative via the RYSE Center) and Dan Reilly (Video Coordinator) have to say about the first full day of the US Social Forum 2010. For comments on the hot/rainy weather, insightful statements, key takeaways, and expectations for the rest of the social forum, see their vlogs below.

What is the US Social Forum?

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AJ's Day 1 - US Social Forum 2010

Check out AJ Thrower representing Youth Movement Records and Kurse Krew in Detroit, MI for Day 1 of the US Social Forum 2010 trip.

What is the US Social Forum?
The US Social Forum (USSF) is a movement building process. It is not a
 conference but it is a space to come up with the peoples’ solutions to the 
economic and ecological crisis. The USSF is the next most important step in our
 struggle to build a powerful multi-racial, multi-sectoral, inter-generational,
 diverse, inclusive, internationalist movement that transforms this country and
 changes history.

We must declare what we want our world to look like and we 
must start planning the path to get there. The USSF provides spaces to learn 
from each other’s experiences and struggles, share our analysis of the problems 
our communities face, build relationships, and align with our international 
brothers and sisters to strategize how to reclaim our world.

For more information on the US Social Forum 2010, please see ussf2010.org.

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