The New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America has acknowledged that its membership is overwhelmingly white and is considering creating an “anti-oppression task force” to bring more people of color and working-class New Yorkers into the organization.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries had already called out the DSA’s lack of diversity. The group, which has openly opposed Jeffries leading the Democrat-controlled House, now appears to be grappling with the same criticism from within its own ranks.
A proposed resolution set for a vote at the NYC-DSA convention would create a “Task Force to Promote Equitable Organizing Culture” and require the group’s leaders to undergo diversity training. DSA anti-oppression task force proposal showed the resolution loaded with what organizers described as a push toward genuine multiracial membership.
“NYC-DSA aims to build the power of the socialist movement by growing our base among the multiracial, multigendered working class of our city,” the proposed resolution states. It also concedes, “DSA has historically faced well-documented challenges recruiting and retaining people of color, and NYC-DSA’s racial makeup does not reflect the racial diversity of our city.”
The acknowledgment drew quick attention online. One user on X noted that the group’s own survey found roughly 60 percent of its membership is white, in a city where white residents make up about one-third of the population. “They lecture everyone on equity and can’t fill their own room,” wrote Nathan Brumand.
Others were more pointed. “The DSA is a white supremacist organization trying to use progressive aesthetics to mask its bigotry,” wrote one X user going by Sir Rottweiler. “The fact that y’all think minorities are too stupid and defenseless to do anything ourselves is part of the problem.”
The NYC-DSA convention was scheduled for Saturday, where members were expected to take up the resolution and decide whether to move forward with the task force. Whether the proposal passes, and how the organization carries out any resulting diversity push, will determine whether the acknowledgment leads to real change or stays on paper.
What do you think about the DSA’s diversity push? Share your take in the comments or on social media.
