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Democratic Socialists of America, Eugene-Springfield, seeks to be a voice for all those fighting oppression in Lane County, Oregon, the United States, and the world. We recognize that for our struggle to be meaningful, it must be intersectional. Our organization must not only welcome diversity, but seek it out, and we must join in the struggle with people of all colors, all genders, all sexual orientations, all differences in ability, and all cultural backgrounds to fight for equity, freedom, democracy and socialism. And we recognize that the foundation of solidarity is respect for one another.
We strive to conduct ourselves in a comradely manner in our interactions with fellow members of DSA and those with whom we work for progressive social change. Sexism, racism, discrimination, harassment, bullying and violent abuse are endemic under capitalism.
These behaviors not only damage individuals and communities but also pose a serious threat to democracy in our organization and the political solidarity and mutual confidence so essential to building a united team of activists and an effective political leadership.
Members join DSA with very different political experiences and different levels of consciousness, and the distortions and divisions of class society affect us all.
DSA Eugene-Springfield deals with these differences politically by seeking to develop in all members a consciousness of all forms of oppression, an understanding of their origins in the social structure of class society, and a commitment to act against all manifestations of such oppression and to struggle to eradicate the basis of such oppressions.
DSA Eugene-Springfield is dedicated to developing the political skills of all its members and strengthening the political effectiveness of the organization. In order to do so, it is important that all meetings of the Local are run in a thoroughly democratic way aimed at maximising participation and effectiveness.
DSA Local meetings are important forums through which many viewpoints can be considered and decisions made democratically.
The chairperson is the member through whom discussion is facilitated and meeting effectiveness ensured. Within the framework of an agreed chair, agenda and meeting procedure, we uphold the right of all attendees to express their opinions.
Where the expressed opinions contravene principles of comradely conduct, the meeting is encouraged to take steps to make that clear and redress the situation. Meeting participants are encouraged not to talk over one another during formal proceedings or discussion.
The duties of the chairperson should be rotated so that all members can gain the experience and skill necessary to lead others.
Freedom of discourse within the parameters of the principles of the DSA is key to the success of the Local. DSA Eugene-Springfield members should not also hold membership in organizations that are fundamentally at odds with the principles of the DSA, or that require them to espouse particular political positions in discussions within the DSA. Event announcements are acceptable, but in general DSA Eugene-Springfield resources and meetings may not be used for recruitment to other organizations.
Broadly, discrimination is treating a person or people less favorably than others, because they are a member of an oppressed group. Discrimination is not always conscious — many people who discriminate are unaware that they are doing so.
Discrimination both produces and reinforces marginalisation and oppression. All members should actively build a culture of comradely respect and mutuality in DSA and consciously combat discrimination.
Debate within DSA is encouraged and passion and enthusiasm are celebrated elements of socialist practice. However, all members are encouraged to reflect on their behaviour, and refrain from verbal or physical acts that others might find threatening or intimidating.
Bullying behaviour can range from raising one’s voice and finger pointing to more extreme forms of physical and psychological intimidation. It can also include physical behaviour designed to undermine the confidence of a person when they are speaking.
Harassment can vary in severity from annoying to abusive, depending on its nature and on the degree of social, economic, organisational or other power held by the harasser in relation to the person or people they harass.
Harassment includes the use of sexist or racist language, and unwanted sexual advances. Racial vilification is a very aggressive form of harassment. Harassment is unacceptable in DSA and will not be tolerated.
All DSA Eugene-Springfield members have a responsibility to treat their fellow members in a way consistent with this policy at all times. Sexual harassment is defined by the Human Rights Commission as “Any unwanted or unwelcome sexual behavior, which makes a person feel offended, humiliated or intimidated.
Sexual harassment is not interaction, flirtation or friendship which is mutual or consensual.” It can vary in severity from annoying to abusive, depending on its nature and on the degree of social, economic, organisational or other power held by the harasser in relation to the person they harass.
The Local Coordinating Committee may be able to halt isolated or unwitting incidents of sexual harassment by discussion and education, however persistent and/or serious sexual harassment by a member should trigger prompt consideration of their membership status in accordance with the constitution, whether or not the harassment would constitute an offence under criminal law.
The Coordinating Committee should consult the Guidelines below in dealing with reports of sexual harassment. These guidelines may also be useful in dealing with other forms of harassment.
Anti-social violence or abuse (including sexual violence) is a threat to the security and democracy of Eugene DSA and will not be tolerated within the Local under any circumstances. These behaviours undermine solidarity and democracy within the working class organisation we are striving to build and in our class as a whole.
Eugene DSA is a political organisation and is not constituted to conduct forensic investigations or court proceedings or to dispense justice to survivors or perpetrators of violence and abuse. We do, however, have democratic processes in place to determine our membership.
Perpetrators of antisocial violence and abuse — either within the organisation or outside — are not welcome in DSA. The Local bylaws have provisions to expel members whose behaviour threatens the solidarity and democracy on which our existence depends.
The Coordinating Committee should consult the Guidelines below in dealing with reports of sexual assault or rape. These guidelines may also be useful in dealing with other forms of violence or abuse.
Any member, who feels or has felt harassed, discriminated against, bullied, intimidated or who has experienced violence or abuse by another DSA member, whether in one-on-one interactions or in larger groups during meetings or other activities of the DSA, is encouraged to raise the matter with a member of the Coordinating Committee.
All members with knowledge of violence or abuse perpetrated by another DSA member have a responsibility to report it to the Local leadership.
The Local may elect one or more Grievance Officer(s), who can act as a first port of call for issues such as bullying and harassment. These issues should then be raised with the Coordinating Committee for it to deal with them as necessary.
It should be made clear to members who the grievance officer(s) is/are, in whatever way is appropriate, so members feel comfortable reporting issues and know clearly to whom to report.
Members may still bypass the grievance officer(s) and raise issues with any officer of the Local directly.
The following guidelines have been developed to assist the Local to deal with sexual harassment and assault, especially of women by men, which is endemic in American society.
They can also be applied to deal with same-sex sexual harassment and assault affecting gender non-binary people, or other forms of sexual violence.
They do not set out a judicial or quasi-judicial process but rather guidance for leadership bodies to carry out their democratic role, under the constitution, in relation to the suspension or termination of membership. The process is not intended to replace or replicate criminal laws.
DSA Eugene-Springfield recognizes that there are serious flaws in the way the American legal system deals with both survivors and perpetrators of sexual violence. We are struggling to replace sexist bourgeois law with socialist laws and processes that truly address and reduce all forms of violence.
But we also support the feminist demand that sexual assault — inside or outside a sexual relationship — should be treated as a serious crime under the existing legal system. We do not agree with those who argue that survivors of sexual assault should not access the criminal justice system.
We support the feminist organisations that have fought and continue to fight for justice and safety for survivors in the here and now.
The process used by the Coordinating Committee dealing with a report or observation of sexual harassment or assault by a member should be appropriate to the circumstances of each case, but the following are intended to provide guidance.
Adapted, with permission, from the 2015 Socialist Alliance Code of Conduct.