DSA admits it’s too white as group mulls ‘anti-oppression’ taskforce to recruit real working-class New Yorkers

New York City’s Democratic Socialists of America chapter is considering a task force to address the group’s lack of racial diversity and improve its organising culture. A proposed resolution would also require leadership diversity training, as the chapter says it wants to build support among the city’s multiracial working class.

An internal survey found that 60% of chapter members identified as white, compared with 34% of New York City residents; the chapter says it has more than 15,000 members. The proposal comes amid criticism that the organisation’s membership and leadership are largely affluent and white, despite electoral successes by politicians from varied backgrounds. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards welcomed the move but said Black and brown members should lead the task force.