by Douglas Dollinger
Canada is now effectively Americanizing its approach to defence. Militarism has become the order of the day.
Month: September 2026
Narratives of Imperfection: Revisiting Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird (1960) and Go Set a Watchman (2015)
by Travis Covitz
In my experience, Mockingbird is used by liberal Americans to assuage their guilt over racism, by allowing them to reassure themselves that they’re ‘one of the good ones’.
Getting Grounded: The Rochester Community Food System Plan
by Elizabeth Henderson
If anyone had doubts, there is now irrefutable evidence that the food insecurity in Rochester’s “Crescent” neighborhoods results from decades of disinvestment, systemic racism and poverty.
Impressions
Impressions is where ROC DSA members can share what they’re reading, listening to, viewing, or otherwise experiencing. If you have two hundred words about the culture at large you’d like to share with your comrades, submit to Rich J on Slack or to the Red Star at steering@rocdsa.org.
What do we joke about when we joke about 9/11
by Jean Allen
More and more Americans do not see ourselves in the US imperial project or see it as meaningfully ours.
I Can’t Hear You: Statement on the Killing of Gregory Kase
A disproportionate amount of those killed by police have a disability. But with insufficient resources and a lack of alternatives, families are forced to make the difficult decision to call 911. They are asking for help, and we are letting them down.
ROC DSA Encourages the Monroe County Legislature to Protect Our Neighbors
Monroe County needs to plug the gaps by barring all forms of coordination, whether under 287(g) agreements or otherwise.
Rust Belt Rising
by Hannah W.
The first ever Rust Belt Rising conference was held on August 15th and 16th here in Rochester. This was organized by Workers Assembly of Rochester (WAR), an independent organization of local labor activists, including DSA members, union staffers and organizers. Local labor leaders, rank and file members and members of community organizations gathered to discuss and learn about the role of the labor movement in Rochester, and how we can move it to be more militant and left.
No, Seriously, Democratic Socialists Want to Abolish the Senate
by Gregory Lebens-Higgins
“Abolishing the Senate is not something that will happen in a vacuum. It is a maximalist demand for achieving a working-class democracy.”
Rochester Red Star | September 2026 | (Issue 29)
Welcome to the September issue of Rochester Red Star, ROC DSA’s monthly newsletter. This month, we present essays on abolishing the Senate, Canadian militarism, the secrets of a successful organizer, and more. You’ll also find upcoming events and coverage of chapter activities.
Interested in contributing? Send submissions to bit.ly/SubmitRedStar, or get involved with our Communications Committee. Reach out to steering@rocdsa.org and join DSA today!