Melat Kiros Advocates for Socialism in Congressional Race
Socialist congressional candidate Melat Kiros has emphasized her heritage, claiming to come from a lineage of “proud black socialists.” She defended socialism and expressed a commitment to advocating for “systemic” change.
Kiros, who recently won the Democratic primary in Colorado’s First Congressional District against long-serving Rep. Diana DeGette, discussed her views during an interview with Eboni Taylor, Vice President of Programs at Higher Heights. “For me, socialism encompasses the essential services we rely on, like the roads we travel, the schools we enroll our children in, and the fire departments we reach out to in emergencies,” she said.
According to Kiros, socialism is also about ensuring that healthcare, workplaces, and housing are secure and dignified, particularly in a country as wealthy as the United States. She stated, “We need to guarantee these basic dignities for everyone.”
Kiros highlighted her family’s history, emphasizing that she has come from a long background of “proud black socialists, radicals, and advocates” who recognize the intertwined nature of racial and economic justice.
She also touched on the need for accountability among institutions to uphold basic rights and dignity. “Piecemeal approaches won’t suffice for real change,” she argued, declaring her intention to fight “proudly” for significant systemic reforms.
During another interview on PBS’s Firing Line with Margaret Hoover, Kiros remarked that socialism embodies the core principles articulated in the founding documents of the United States, asserting, “Nothing is more American than advocating for an economic philosophy that can actually deliver life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
She asserted that rather than capitalism, it is socialism that has more effectively fulfilled the values of the Declaration of Independence. “While capitalism claims to lift people out of poverty in the U.S., it’s really social safety programs that are effective,” she noted.
Moreover, Kiros linked “freedom” concerning abortion to “economic freedom.” She argued that guaranteeing the right to terminate a pregnancy is part of her socialist agenda and described it as essential to reproductive rights. “Protecting reproductive freedom is not enough. We need to guarantee it,” she stated. She defined reproductive freedom as the ability to choose when to start a family and to have control over one’s body, future, and freedom.
Kiros’s platform extends beyond abortion to include “gender-affirming care,” which she defines as an integral part of supporting individuals experiencing gender dysmorphism. Her positions reflect a comprehensive view on “reproductive freedom,” advocating for access to various medical interventions.
As Kiros prepares for the upcoming election, she will face off against Republican Christy Peterson in November, bringing her bold socialist platform to the forefront of the race.
