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Like many colleges, Loyola is home to political discussions that include social justice, environmental issues and feminism. But few students go so far as to advocate for truly leftist views such as socialism, anarchism and communism. For those who do, two organizations exist: the Rogers Park chapter of the International Socialist Organization (ISO) and Platypus, a Loyola group that explores new ideas about left-wing politics.

International SocialistOrganization

Formed in 1976, ISO has chapters around the country and has been one of the organizing forces of the Ferguson protests, Occupy Wall Street and the movement against the Iraq War. It describes itself as an organization that participates in the struggles for justice and liberation today and, ultimately, for a future socialist society.

ISO opened a Loyola chapter last fall, but it was absorbed into the Rogers Park chapter due to an unsuccessful recruitment of students. Tabling for Ferguson protests, however, attracted Nina Darner, a senior environmental studies major, to the ISO.

John Snowden // ISO

Ive been attending meetings for six months. When it really started out, it wasnt about me being interested in socialism at all, said Darner. I didnt even know it was being run by a socialist group. They were passing out flyers about the shooting of Michael Brown. I went to a meeting, then went down to Ferguson with a couple carloads of people. I really liked what they were doing and over time I grew to be really interested in the politics.

Darner attends meetings every Thursday at the Willie B. White Center off the Howard Red Line stop.

We share articles, we learn about world history, politics, power structures, she said.

Darner points out the Black Lives Matter campaign, the Fight for 15 and the Chicago suburbs BP oil strike as ongoing ISO campaigns that many who dont consider themselves part of the Left support.

So many people say, I agree with this idea and that idea and that idea, but Im not willing to join a political organization, she said.

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