Why I joined the Socialist Party
Chrisi Schaffer, South East London Socialist Party
For a decade, I have been politicising myself by exploring intersectional feminist and anticapitalist ideas. This has shaped and strengthened my understanding of power imbalances, structural oppression, and exploitation, and the many ways these forces shape our everyday lives. This long process of learning and unlearning has made it impossible for me to remain a passive observer of the world around me.
I consider myself a political artist. Music has been a space where I explore and express these ideas. However, I have come to realise that artistic engagement – while meaningful – is not the same as organising.
When I moved to London last year, this sense of urgency only deepened. I began attending Socialist Students meetings because I felt a need to be politicised, not only in theory, but also in practice.
It was no longer enough to read, discuss, and critique within my like-minded bubble. I wanted to understand what organising really looks like – how people come together, build solidarity, and work collectively toward meaningful change.
The current political climate intensifies this need even further. With the alarming global rise of the right, it has become clear that occasional protests, and even genuine personal or interpersonal growth, while important, are not sufficient on their own. I feel a responsibility to make political work a consistent, intentional part of my life, not something confined to private conversations or creative expression alone.
It took time to overcome my internal hesitation. But I’ve reached a point where discussing political ideas over a glass of wine with friends feels inadequate. I feel the need to organise, to participate, and to connect with people who share a commitment to building a more equitable and hopeful future. Because change is possible, but only if we actively work to make it happen.
