ETSU students and members of the Young Democratic Socialists of America Aria Inaba, Connor McClelland, Carson Morgan and Austin Cable were featured in a CNN video about young people’s interest in socialism.
The Democratic Socialist movement in America has been around since 1973. Bernie Sanders leads the charge for the movement today, calling for Medicare for all, tuition-free college, taxing the rich and much more.
“Socialism, to me, is helping working class people,” said Inaba. “It is making sure that people who don’t have a voice, have a voice. It’s fighting for people who just are not able to fight.”
Growing up in Appalachia, Austin Cable and Connor McClelland both noticed problems with capitalism, so Cable reached out over social media, asking if anyone wanted to start a YDSA chapter with him. McClelland replied, and they founded the club.
“You live in these rural Appalachian communities, and you see the way in which corporations and companies and jobs have exploited people significantly and have prevented a lot of development, which is necessary to build a strong community,” said McClelland. “Those types of issues made me develop a class consciousness and a consciousness of the problems of capitalism.”
They both love Appalachia and believe socialism is the best solution to Appalachia’s problems. However, very few in the nation realize how strong of a democratic party exists in Tennessee.
“My family are very supportive of me in my endeavors in the political sphere, even though most don’t agree with me,” said Cable. “The main reason I’m a socialist today is because I have lived my entire life and have seen my mom and dad work harder than anyone I have seen in my entire life, and they have reaped none of the benefits of the richest country in the world.”
Their endeavors seemed to have paid off with Bernie Sanders winning Washington County and securing second place in the run for the presidential nomination.
“I think that we are getting our message out to so many people who feel abandoned by this political system and current political climate,” said Morgan. “It’s letting people know we are here. We’re ready to fight, and we’re ready to organize.”
YDSA will continue spreading their message to the nation and has already been contacted by WJHL, WCYB and Teen Vogue for follow-up interviews.
