The DNC, Dizziness, and Double Vision

We must build power inside and outside the system. But sometimes it's disorienting

Watching the Democratic National Convention from afar this week, I’ve felt a disorienting sense of double vision. On one side of my feed, people share videos, pictures, and live streams from outside the Convention, protesting the ongoing genocide in Gaza. On the other, people share videos, pictures, and live streams from inside the convention, rallying to elect Kamala Harris, defend democracy, and decisively defeat MAGA.

Liberation Road has long advocated an inside/outside approach to electoral politics—contesting for power within the system, while building power outside it. Now, the two sides of my social media feed seem like a literal embodiment of that dual perspective. Inside and outside. Within, and without. 

It feels right to hold those two things together, but also dizzying. Like patting my head while rubbing my belly. Like holding two contradictory perspectives at once. 

Are you suffering from double vision too? If so, I hope you will join Liberation Road for a panel discussion about the elections this Sunday, August 25th from 5:00 to 6:00 pm EDT (4:00 pm CDT, 2:00 pm PDT). Click here to register. 

We’ll be talking about contradictions. About recognizing the dire threat posed by the neo-fascist MAGA movement, while remaining clear-eyed about the limitations of the neoliberal center. About being a radical socialist who votes. About engaging electoral politics in ways that actually strengthen our movements, shift the needle, and break the vicious cycle of false hopes and disillusionment that too often accompany electoral work. 

We’ll be talking about how to block fascism, broaden an anti-fascist front, and build the independent power and initiative of the left. 

We’ll be joined by some of the sharpest socialist strategists out there: Bill Fletcher, Sarah Jarmon, Puya Gerami, Meizhu Lui… and, I hope, you. 

Whether you’re fired up about the November elections, demoralized, energized, outraged, terrified—or, I hope, all of the above—this panel discussion is for you. So please, come through.

I hope to see you there. 

In solidarity,

Bennett 

Bennett Carpenter (they/them) is a queer Southern organizer, trainer and movement strategist. They are a member of the National Executive Committee of Liberation Road.