Description
The collection contains pamphlets, newsletters, bulletins and foundational documents that reflect the New American Movement's
(NAM) activities and political platforms. The NAM was active from 1972-1982 and advocated for workplace equality and a democratic
socialist society founded on socialist feminist ideas.
Background
The New American Movement (NAM) held its founding convention in 1972 and was active until 1982 and was formed by anti-war
and women's movement activists, as well as members of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS). The organization sympathized
with the ideology of Antonio Gramsci, who believed that a revolutionary organization should develop a "common sense" in the
popular consciousness of a society that could challenge and then replace presiding social and political structures. This theoretical
foundation was the basis for the NAM's attempts to create a wide-reaching socialist movement that was focused on organizing
the 1970s working class, which was becoming increasingly composed of female clerical and healthcare workers. The NAM aimed
to develop a socialist-feminist and anti-racist class consciousness among the entire working class by increasing feminist
and gay and lesbian participation in unions and labor strikes, and combating sexual descrimination and harrassment against
homosexual and female workers. The organization also advocated for abortion rights and against forced sterilization practices.
In 1982, the NAM merged with the Democratic Socialist Organizing Committee (DSOC) to form the Democratic Socialists of America
(DSA).
Restrictions
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Archives
and Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical
materials and not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Availability
There are no access restrictions on this collection.