Winter is not done with us yet. Neither are we done fighting for working-class people in this state. While the temperature drops again, the work keeps going. Here’s what Central Iowa DSA has lined up this month!
DSA 101
Curious about democratic socialism or wondering what DSA is all about? DSA 101 is a welcoming introduction to our politics, our structure, and how to get involved locally.
We will walk through the basics of what democratic socialists believe, how our chapter operates, what our working groups are focused on, and the different ways you can plug in. Whether you are brand new or just want a clearer picture of how everything fits together, this is a great place to start.
This session will be held virtually, so you can join from wherever you are. Come learn, ask questions, and connect with other members building power in Central Iowa.
Boris Taslitzky
The Strikes of June 1936 (1936)
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Art Under Socialism
Art under socialism is a heavily debated subject. Many socialists see the importance of artistic expression that highlights and dignifies the lives of working-class people. But how would art be commissioned under socialism? How would abstract work fit into that system? This discussion looks at the rise and fall of the Proletkult and Socialist Realism.
The Proletkult was an organization created by the Bolsheviks in 1917. Its goal was to establish principles for truly proletarian art, works made by the working class for the working class, free from aspects of bourgeois culture. Although it was subsidized by the government, it was not directly controlled by the Communist Party and did not impose strict artistic standards that restricted expression. Leadership within the Proletkult advocated for artistic independence and encouraged artists to reflect the experience and values of a rising working class. The organization declined in 1921 due to funding cuts and was officially abolished in 1932.
Socialist Realism was an art movement that began in the 1920s and continued through the mid-80s. The movement emphasized realistic portrayals of working-class life in the USSR, often presenting the proletariat in a positive and aspirational light. Many powerful works emerged from this period, bringing workers into the center of artistic representation in ways that had rarely been seen in classical art. However, because the movement was funded by the state, artists were required to adhere to specific standards in order for their work to be commissioned.
Many modern critics view Socialist Realism as restrictive or overly tied to state ideology. A Leninist perspective, however, might argue that if the state provides housing, education, and financial support for artists, it is reasonable to expect that publicly funded art would promote the broader goals of that society rather than actively oppose it. From that viewpoint, state-funded museums prioritizing Socialist Realist work could be seen not as censorship, but as alignment with a political project.
We are sharing two articles below on the Proletkult and Socialist Realism and invite you to reflect: What might art look like in a modern democratic socialist society? What lessons could we take from the Soviet approach, and what would we want to do differently? Was the USSR suppressing artistic freedom, or amplifying work that centered the working class while ensuring artists had material support?
‘Culture is not a luxury!’: The Proletkult in Revolutionary Russia
Robert’s Rules Corner
If you’ve ever felt a little nervous about Robert’s Rules of Order, here’s the good news: our meetings are structured for efficiency! But when you first encounter the structure, it can be hard to navigate. For February’s Robert’s Rules Corner we’re talking history.
Who is this Robert guy, and why is he so bossy?
Robert’s Rules of Order began with a meeting. In 1876, Henry Martyn Robert, a US Army engineer, was asked to preside over a public meeting and quickly realized he did not understand the procedures expected of him. The experience was uncomfortable enough that he decided to study parliamentary practice more seriously. Drawing largely from the procedures of the US House of Representatives, he compiled a manual that ordinary civic groups could rely on for guidance. That manual then became Robert’s Rules of Order.
The purpose of Robert’s Rules was not to make meetings theatrical or overly formal. It was to provide structure so that organizations could function fairly. The rules were designed to protect the right of the majority to decide while also protecting the right of the minority to be heard. They aim to keep discussion focused, prevent confusion, and move groups toward clear decisions.
Over time, the manual has been revised and expanded, and it is now in its twelfth edition. Despite those updates, its central goal remains consistent: to offer a shared framework that supports democratic participation within voluntary organizations. When used thoughtfully, Robert’s Rules help ensure that decisions are made transparently and that power is exercised in an orderly, participatory way.
Robert’s Rules Association – Official History of the Manual
Got a burning question? Maybe you’ve wondered:
What’s the difference between a point of order and a point of information?
Can someone actually cut me off if I’ve only spoken once?
Send your questions and we’ll answer them on next month’s Robert’s Rules Corner!
Join DSA Today and Make Change in Your Community!
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International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day is around the corner on March 8, and we’re teaming up with partner organizations for a public celebration of women in organizing. We’re excited to uplift women across our communities and the work they do to build a more just world. Stay tuned for details!
Central Iowa DSA Reading Group
Reading groups have long been part of socialist organizing. They give us space to connect that sense that something is not working to a shared understanding of why and what can be done about it. Our group keeps things accessible and people focused, with short readings, inclusive facilitation, and room for everyone to participate. You do not need to finish the text to join. Come for the discussion and the community.
Our March selection is The Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx, the first of four pillar texts we will read this year. Whether you have read it once or a hundred times, it is worth revisiting and discussing together.
Our next meeting is Sunday, March 15, 2026 at 4:00 PM at Moberg Gallery.
*The space is wheelchair accessible.
Upcoming Events
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Not able to attend? You can still help strengthen our chapter by donating.
CIDSA Working Groups and Committees
Queer Liberation Working Group
Collective Knowledge
Starting In February we will be doing a deep dive into a different part of DSA with each month. We plan to cover a variety of topics that will help build our collective knowledge. Here’s what we have on deck!
- February: Prole- what? Terms every Socialist Should Know
- March: International Socialism
- April: Socialist History
- May: Labor and Socialism
Prole- what? Terms every Socialist Should Know
Proletariat
The working class. People who have to work for a paycheck to survive. If you don’t own a company and live off other people’s labor, you’re probably in this group.
Bourgeoisie
The owning class. The people who make money because they own businesses, property, or big investments and profit off other people’s work.
Class Consciousness
When working people realize we have shared interests and that those interests are different from the people at the top.
Solidarity
Having each other’s backs. It means understanding that when one group of workers is being exploited, it affects all of us.
Mutual Aid
People helping each other directly, not charity, not handouts. Community members pooling resources and supporting one another because we know the system won’t.
Collective Bargaining
When workers negotiate as a group instead of individually. Boss vs. one worker is a mismatch. Boss vs. all the workers together? Different story.
What We Are Enjoying
We’re on the hunt for submissions from you! Yes, YOU Comrade! What media have you enjoyed lately and how does it relate to socialism? Please send your thoughts to us at: centraliowademsocialists@gmail.com
Socialist Study Group
Our Socialist Study Group is a space to engage deeply with political theory in a thoughtful and structured setting. Together, we read foundational texts, explore big ideas about power and class, and connect theory to the world around us. It is a place for serious discussion that is still welcoming and accessible, whether you have read every page or are coming in curious.
This session’s book is The Theory of the Leisure Class, a classic critique of wealth, status, and consumer culture that examines how class shapes not just economics, but everyday life and social prestige.
The next Socialist Study Group will meet on Saturday, March 28 at 11:00 AM at Central Library.
DSA News
Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Show Was Political Art at Its Best
From grocery store bagger in Vega Baja to Super Bowl halftime icon, Bad Bunny has grown into something bigger than a pop star. This article explores how his performance celebrated Puerto Rican identity, challenged Trump-era xenophobia, and proved that political art can still move millions.
Zohran Needs to Create Popular Assemblies
Without an organized base, even the best mayor can get boxed in by elites. This article lays out why Zohran Mamdani should invest in popular assemblies, not as symbolism, but as a governing strategy to build durable working-class power.