Midwest Socialist is excited to unveil our new editorial policy. We hope you’ll give it a read, but here are some highlights:

We are no longer taking submissions from caucuses. Submissions must be from DSA members using their real names (last initials upon request). Members may pitch pieces about caucuses, but we are not interested in op-eds which directly promote a caucus. We will continue to periodically post official chapter announcements and the statements of our campaigns and coalition partners.

We advise against basing arguments on polling data. Surveys and polls can be used to justify nearly any course of action. Op-eds may of course reference relevant data, but pieces which hang much of their case on polls will not be considered for publication.

We are looking for reporters. We are expanding our news section. DSA and its coalition partners do a lot of incredible work, little of which is covered by mainstream outlets. Please reach out midwestsocialist@gmail.com if you are interested in writing news articles about our chapter.

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A personal note from the editor:

My name is Keith. I’ve been a member of Chicago DSA since January 2018 — you might know me as “that person wandering around housing justice events with a camera” or “that Twitter account that posts about pie.” Recently, I also became “that person keeping Midwest Socialist running” after our former editor’s term expired and the position went unfilled for weeks.

Midwest Socialist was founded four years ago as a home for comradely debate. Unfortunately, our commitment to this mission has occasionally led us to platform pieces which many have — I believe correctly — accused of propagating regressive politics. Our new editorial policy is aimed, in part, at addressing this concern. Midwest Socialist will continue to be a platform for many political perspectives, but they should be based on solid arguments, written in good faith, and reflective of the issues relevant to DSA members

This is a volunteer-run publication of Chicago DSA, a “wide tent” political organization. As an unelected steward of that publication, it is not my place to unilaterally police the size of that tent. I welcome a longer, more democratic discussion of how to steer this paper through its next four years and urge any Chicago DSA members interested in that discussion to join the Communications Committee at our monthly meetings (the next one is Jan. 18).

Thank you to everyone who has contributed pieces, quotes, and feedback these last few months.

In solidarity,

Keith Schnabel
Editor-in-chief