By Matt Triaszin The first months of the second Trump administration have been a serious surprise for the global left. It now seems that the American imperial system is deliberately shooting itself…
Month: April 2025
Rochester Red Star | May 2025 | (Issue 13)
Welcome to the first anniversary issue of Rochester Red Star! For one year, Red Star has provided monthly coverage of ROC DSA activities, advertised upcoming chapter events, and published insightful articles that explore capitalism’s multifaceted attack on the world and our vision for a better future.
Press Release: Candidate Report Cards
Rochester for Energy Democracy
Metro Justice and members of the Rochester for Energy Democracy (RED) Campaign released the results of a candidate and representative survey Wednesday at 5:30pm at City Hall on the City Leading a study on replacing RG&E with a public utility.
Why Pay Federal Taxes?
By Gordon Brown If the government no longer provides services we rely on, why should we pay for them? If the wealthy have avoided paying trillions in taxes for decades, why should…
Let People Speak
By Jean Allen At the end of the vigil for Sam Norquist, a queer man who I was sitting by said “see you at the next one” as I left. I came…
ROC DSA Has a Platform?
By Skye K. If you are reading this, you are very likely aware that ROC DSA has endorsed Stanley Martin, Chiara “Kee Kee” Smith, Tonya Noell Stevens, and Kevin Stewart—The People’s Slate—and…
Against Conspiracism
By Gregory Lebens-Higgins Did Donald Trump stage an attempted assassination to score political points? Did McDonald’s help track down Luigi Mangione using AI-powered facial recognition technology? What if nobody shot JFK, his…
Jay-Z & Kendrick Lamar: A Case Study in Laundering Black Rage & The Subtle Erosion of Wokeness
by Rajesh Barnabas
Kendrick Lamar, once considered the torch-bearer of conscious hip-hop, is flaming out. His rise as a social commentator, with albums like To Pimp a Butterfly and DAMN., made him the poster child for progressive, “woke” hip-hop. However, Lamar’s success has come at a price: compromising the authenticity of his message to fit the broader commercial mold. This phenomenon isn’t unique to Lamar but is part of a larger trend among entertainers and activists in the face of mainstream capitalism.
Changing with the Seasons
by Lara
While we may not have the financial power of these heartless hoarders, we have power nonetheless and the ability to significantly improve our understanding of the biological implications of climate change. Ash can make for fertile soil but the world need not burn for goodness to grow.