The SLSC Manifesto

Political commentary with teeth, grounded in material analysis and a passion for people power.

Mar 22, 2026 · 6 min read

(Originally posted on SLSC's Substack)

Hello! If you’re reading this you’re likely a new reader of my publication Surviving Late-Stage Capitalism, and are probably wondering a few things. Who is this guy? Is he seriously writing another leftist poli-sci newsletter? Why should you read SLSC in the first place? Well, that’s exactly why I’m putting this out for everyone to check out before they dive in, in case anybody has any hesitation or reservations about subscribing to SLSC.

A Note For Wrizzlers:

I am in the process of crossposting the better-performing pieces in my back catalogue here on Wrizzit, but am fighting an uphill battle against ADHD and time constraints. I'll be posting every few days until I get caught up with those I haven't already crossposted, and then afterwards pieces will be released a few days after they drop on Substack, since that is SLSC's primary home. I don't want to leave anyone here behind, or push away those opposed to Substack's policies and issues with fashy-types.

On that note I do think, though, that it's best to take on problematic ideologies head-on, though I recognize my being a straight white guy doesn't attract the same vitriol that some of y'all have gotten and not having to stomach the same insults makes it easier to stick it out. This is not to say anything negative towards those who have left, but if Leftstack is dying I for one will be attempting CPR. Substack may still have some redeeming value. It's hard to tell. I just want to leverage the sheer volume of eyeballs and minds that can be reached for the reasons laid out below, rather than give up yet another corner of the internet to these vile freaks.

Who Am I, Anyway?

My name is Derek Sawyer, and I’m an activist, writer, and political commentator. I’ve been involved in leftist organizing for several years now, beginning with the work I did as a founding member of Colorado Springs DSA and a member of an immigrant rights coalition called Colorado Springs Sanctuary City Now! I moved back to Virginia a couple years back, and have since been organizing primarily online, though I do attend local demonstrations when possible; I am a live-in caregiver for my grandfather currently, and live in Virginia’s most conservative district, so the opportunities are limited but present. I was the editor of the COS DSA monthly newsletter from the Summer of 2020 through Fall 2021, and have worked as a freelance writer off and on for nearly a decade.

Why Write Political Analysis When Hundreds of Others Are Too?

It might sound a little like I’m blowing smoke up my own ass, but I think I have a fairly distinct voice and perspective, and I believe I can reach people in a way that not everybody can. My work is resonating fairly deeply with a good chunk of people who come across it- you’re reading this, after all- and I want to use my knack for writing to put some good out into the world. This seemed to me to be the best, most effective way to affect political change from my current position, sidelined as I am right now.

What I’m Trying to Achieve

I’m not in this to make a bag and sell out, or do some “the left left me” schtick, or feed my own ego. I don’t paywall my work and never will, because the most important thing from my perspective is sharing a charged, active message about society’s problems and some possible solutions to those problems. I’m shifting the Overton Window (the range of acceptable discourse) as far left as I can drag it; it’s been drifting further and further to the right for my entire life, and I want a better, less cruel world. That starts with how people discuss problems and solutions, which in turn starts with permission structures. Essentially, I want you to give yourself permission to be angry and productive, barbed and thoughtful. I’m just here to get the ball rolling.

Why Even Take Me Seriously?

Like I said up top, I come out of real community organizing spaces. Not astroturfed whatever-the-fuck cooked up by some think tank. I’ve helped build movements, negotiate with local officeholders, organize protests and counterprotests, and worked as a street medic during the Summer of BLM (2020). I have both technical acumen (i.e. I write well) and I’ve actually done this shit in real life- not just another online talking head. I can both “talk the talk” and “walk the walk,” as the kids say. I’m not an expert by any means, but I have a unique perspective and can spin a yarn. That makes for good analysis and commentary in my book.

What I Provide For The Leftist Community

I want to create an atmosphere, with the help of many others in this space, for people to question authority, search for not just answers but solutions, and point out ways to put those solutions in motion. Every Tuesday I put out a new explainer in my series “Know Your Socialisms,” which breaks down in detail one of the cornucopia of distinct leftist traditions floating around in the ether. I break down each one theoretically, ground it in either real-world examples and/or clear, digestible language, such that even the layman can get an understanding of the concepts without boring seasoned leftists. Additionally, I write another one to two pieces a week that are more topical or current events oriented. With war gripping the Middle East, ICE running rampant at home, the social safety net on the chopping block, and the dozen or so more problems we’re all trying to make sense of at once, there’s no shortage of timely topics.

Ways You Can Help SLSC Grow

This is an easy one! There are a handful of ways you can help support this project. First and most important: subscribe for free and read an email a week- not every issue, just one will do. If the title sucks or you’re busy, that’s totally fine too. Subscribing helps by increasing the reach each piece gets, which helps push the Overton Window further at a faster pace. If you like something you read, I ask that you comment on it, hit the like button, and/or share it with two people who would benefit from the message I’m trying to convey. Social media is fine too, but I’m much more interested in reaching real, engaged people over just getting clicks and views. Most importantly: if you think I’ve gotten something wrong, call me out in the comments. Everybody needs a little friction, and I am bound to get stuff wrong from time to time so it’s helpful for me to hear full-throated dissent if and when I do.

Again, I will never paywall any of my content. If you decide this project is worth your financial support, there are options for that, and perks- at the moment, just biweekly Q&A sessions for paid subscribers and full access to a paid subscriber Substack chat where I host the Q&A’s on the 15th and last day of each month. I don’t have many paid subs at the moment, but if you want to change that, be my guest.