I have been following, with great interest, the activities of a new political party in Detroit. The After Party has risen from the "ashes" of the finance industry-engineered recession, so it is appropriate that they have a phoenix as part of their emblem. They are activists who are committed to engaging in their communities. It appears to be a truly grass roots effort, building from the ground up, and improving communities along the way. They walk the walk. So far.
Some may scoff at the rise of a new party, dismiss them as idealistic, condemn their ideals as too radical, or simply ignore them. And sadly, the After Party might flame out brilliantly, because the current system does not do anything to allow new parties to develop and offer true representation. However, the one thing I see them doing differently than those in the past is to actually offer real change on a local, community level.
This past weekend, they had their first gathering in Detroit, where people could discuss and sign the After Party Manifesto. True, the term "manifesto" signals revolution in the minds of most, but aren't these the times when revolution seems most needed? When the middle and lower classes have become nothing more than cannon fodder and the grease in the gears of corporations and the financial industry? When their voices remain almost completely unheard thanks to the appalling decisions of the Roberts Court?
After their gathering to sign the manifesto, they spent the next day in the Highland Park neighborhood of Detroit cleaning and performing service projects. Their work may have been small scale, but it was something. It was something that acknowledged the importance and value of a neighborhood and people who have been underrepresented and undervalued by everyone who has come before. This is activism of the best kind, activism with real world results. Small results now, it's true. But it also breeds trust, something the two party system has squandered completely. The After Party worked with people in the community to do good, rather than descend like avenging angels.
The most important thing they did was to back up these actions with a commitment to change. They are focusing on beginning this change in neighborhoods and communities - to increase hope and positive change on a small scale at the community level and earn the trust and support of the people who need to be represented, who deserve to be represented. It is small changes on a large scale in communities all across our country that can begin a revolution that can bring about real, positive changes for all of us.
It is time to take back the word socialism from those who have made it a word of derision, and focus on community, mutual aid, and solidarity. We, as a country, work best when we work together, for each other. And this will take work.
I support the After Party.
