Introduction: A Generation of Hope, a Generation of Change
I’ve been writing this paper for a few days. It sort of jumps around, and has different objectives… to argue that voter registration is an effective tactic, and that to win we need to move millions, and therefore a strategy and tactics should reflect that need, and also to provide a few strategic and tactical ideas. This isn’t suppose to be an organizers manual, and it doesn’t represent all my ideas on these topics, rather its just what I’ve been thinking about lately, and would like to share with you.
We are a Generation of Hope, and of Change. These words are verbs, and require there bearer to take action. My generation has begun its long journey to a better world, and we are here to win.
The 2008 election is brining my generation to the spotlight, as youth and student voters are becoming more important. Although grassroots organizing has not yet reached a tipping point, or critical mass, it is spreading and growing fast. A movement is building.
This essay is about building a movement in the here and now, while always looking forward to the future. My generation is changing the trajectory of change, and refuses to have someone else determine our future. Together, my generation will take back control over our destiny, and forge the road to a better world.
The trajectory of change
Looking through history, we can see that the primary vehicle for furthering social justice have been social movements. Change does not come from the top from politicians nor from mystical leaders who give powerful oratories.
We can also see that most injustice is not isolated. Most incidences are not mere bad apples, for most injustice is a result of an unjust system. This “system” is an interdependent combination of political, economic, cultural, and kinship institutions.
This “system” is not an impenetrable brick wall. Just as human beings have the ability to adapt to their environment, they can also adapt their environment to them. The same is true with social institutions. There is a relationship between the degrees in which an institution influences our behavior, and there degree in which we can change it.
Alone, individuals are rather powerless in this process of change. Together with others, the individual’s capacity for change expands. We are more powerful together then we are apart. Throughout history, mass strategic and coordinated action by everyday people has altered the trajectory of change.
The change that radicals seek to implement is that which gets to the root of problems –the root of poverty, the root of racism, the root of sexism, the root of environmental destruction, etc. Radicals seek to replace old, oppressive institutions with ones based on more humane values.
This is a process of creation, not of destruction. This is a process of love and compassion. To win, we must raise the consciousness of millions to the realization that their values are being obliterated by the current social institutions. We must mobilize these millions to take action, and together, take control of our destiny and alter our trajectory of change.
Electoral politics: dead end or viable strategy?
Although radical change comes from the grassroots, change does occur through the current political system. Movements can force politicians to pass legislation, or they can put them out of office by voting for a more progressive candidate.
As progressives and radicals, we know that the political system is not sufficiently democratic, transparent or accountable. It is not adequately representative, and does not respect the self-management of people, individually or collectively; meaning people do not have decision making power to degree in which they are affected by the outcomes.
The reality of the political system does not mean movements should ignore working within it. Grassroots movements can push for non-reformists reforms in the short term, meaning reforms that help people and move us closer to our vision in the long term.
Movements could organize for universal health care, universal higher education; or for laws that elevate the position of the worker. Reforms to the political process could be made to make it easier for the grassroots to initiate legislation. Many other options exist, and what reforms should take priority should be based on a wider strategy.
If the current political parties or politicians do not meet the demands of their constituencies, grassroots movements should seriously consider the option of directly engaging in the electoral process. This option should fall in line with a wider strategy. The party/parties should be participatory, directly democratic, transparent and accountable.
Working the political system does not inherently legitimize that system. Working within it should be viewed both as a risk and an opportunity. While concrete gains can be won through the political system, it can also free up massive pressures put on movements, and open many doors for radical change.
The times, they are a-changin’
We are working to create a new future, and a vision of this future should inform our strategy. The current context, and our analysis of it, will also shape our strategy. Opportunities and threats will come and go. History is not static, nor do events occur in a vacuum. With this understanding, we consider some present day realities when shaping our strategy.
The risks my generation faces are enormous. The occupation of Iraq is draining funds from education, health care, and human services, while our economy walks on shaky ground. The price of education continues to rise, and more students then ever find themselves in debt. Recourses keep getting funneled to Iraq as the largest government subsidy in the history of civilization. Not a subsidy for freedom, nor democracy, but rather for oil. This black gold is driving the climate crisis deeper, as every single human being, plant or animal life is in danger. The delicate equilibrium of nature has been shaken.
My generation also faces enormous opportunities. Money from Iraq could be reinvested in building an oil-free, fossil fuel-free future; a green future, with green jobs and green pathways out of poverty. Universally accessible education for the new economy will be necessary, as with universal health-care. My generation has the opportunity win these important gains, as well as to expand the realm of democracy to include not only government, but also the economy. The possibilities are endless. We have the opportunity, and the ability. The only question is if we have the audacity to take up this challenge.
Moreover, this election cycle presents a possible political realignment. Since the election of Reagan in 1980, the right-wing republicans and democrats have held dominant. We can now see a new political force taking hold, a new progressive majority. The Republican Party is in shambles, as the Democrats scramble to take advantage of a rare opportunity. The rise of Barack Obama, and a new generation of leaders is telling of the changes to come.
We need to move millions
To win the changes we want to see, we will need to move millions. The transformation of our society will happen neither as a result of politicians nor a righteous few. The change will only happen when the consciousnesses of millions of people are heightened, and those millions take strategic, coordinated action.
This presidential election cycle presents an opportunity not only to stay relevant to the millions we need to reach, but also to organizing and expand and grow this movement. Huge numbers of young people have already taken the first step into political action by supporting one of the candidates. Barack Obama has inspired thousands if not millions of young people, and given them hope that we can shape our own destiny. How can we funnel this positive energy from this election into sustainable participation in between elections?
The issue a group or organization should work on should be based on what is relevant to their constituency. This issue (or issues) should also be framed in a holistic manner. For instance, education is obviously relevant to many youth and students, but how is the war relevant? Or climate change, for that matter? How do the war and climate change effect education, and vice versa?
Framing and messaging should speak to people’s already established values, such as democracy, freedom, independence, justice, family, community, etc. For example, many evangelicals care about the environment, and about ending poverty and war –all progressive issues. We don’t have to change their values, but we do need move them on those issues they are progressive on.
My friend Brian Kelly posted a wonderful article on his blog, walkingbutterfly.com, where he says “if we want to change the world, we have to move lots of people in lots of little ways. The ways that we move different people are, well, different.” I couldn’t agree more.
He then goes on to declare “If we work hard enough, if we are strategic, if we are visionary, and if we are effective communicators, all of these efforts – both qualitative and quantitative – will eventually add up and snowball into dramatic and wide-spread institutional changes.”
Taking action: from grassroots organizing to direct action
Our analysis of and vision for society should inform our strategy, which will in turn influence our tactics. There is no magic bullet, and no tactic will be effective in every situation. Although our theory of change may offer guidance, we will make mistakes along the way, which should always be viewed as lesson. We learn by experience, but do not have to reinvent the wheel. The role of the leader is not only to lead or direct, but also to share leadership, knowledge, and resources.
If there were such things as “wings” of a movement, I could identify three. One, the folks who engage the system – lobbying, elections, etc; two, the folks who take direct action – boycotts, sit-ins, banner drops, etc; and three, the folks who do the grassroots organizing – canvassing, tabling, voter registration, educational events, etc. All three are important, and we shouldn’t rely on one alone.
In my experience with the new Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), I found there to be a heavy focus on direct action. Although direct action is good, tactics should be in line with a strategy, and should be complimented by grassroots organizing.
One major failure 1960’s New Left (old SDS included) was its action oriented, militant strategy, which resulted in alienating much of people they were trying to reach. Tactics were used out of place, and at the wrong time. Violence plagued the movement with negative public opinion and police repression.
We don’t have to be the most militant, or the most radical. Movement building isn’t a competition. We cannot look at ourselves more important than those who are not yet radicalized or have not yet taken action. Our focus should be on those who we still have yet to reach. We must be careful of our language and rhetoric, and remember that it’s not what we say, it’s what they hear. We need millions to win, and we will never reach millions if we alienate others, or isolate ourselves.
Voter Registration
One opportunity the election provides is that of Voter Registration. Many young people are interested in elections, and concerned about issues such as education, the economy, climate change and the war. Young people have voted in record numbers in the 2004 presidential election, the 2006 mid-terms, and this year’s presidential primary. The youth climate movement has exploded onto campuses across the country, winning substantial victories. Students and youth want to see significant change. It is our role, as youth and student organizers, to facilitate the mass participation of our fellow students and youth.
Voter registration drives offers an opportunity to reach large amounts of people relevantly and accessibly. This election is becoming quite relevant to increasing numbers of students and youth, and voter registration has the potential to attract many new people to our organizing.
Our message should not attack voting, bur rather compliment it. Democracy is not exclusively voting, and although we should encourage voting, we should also encourage participation outside the ballot box. We should co-opt voting, and transform it from a spectacle to a participatory and democratic process.
We should frame our message in context of the American social justice tradition, and reclaim our often forgotten history. We should never denigrate our country and only highlighting the negative, but rather offer a critique of its policies and institutions, and offer a potent and rational alternative. The language and rhetoric we use should speak to the positive values of America. It should tell the story of how negative social institutions are obliterating those values, and of what institutions should replace them. Our vision of a democratic society should offer hope and inspiration for the future.
Voter registration drives provide an opportunity to tell our vision of a participatory and democratic society to many new people. It provides an opportunity to plug folks into a growing and ever changing movement, one with diverse ways to get involved. Organizers should provide room for stepped levels of involvement, as not everyone will have the capacity to dedicate the same amount of time and energy as the most dedicated activists.
Detroit SDS is currently organizing voter registration drives, but we have yet to have our first one. I will be reporting back, and writing about our experiences and voter registration strategy on this blog often.
Educational and Cultural Events
Voter registration is only one tactic, and should never be used alone. Organizers should be ready to plug in folks bought in through voter registration to diverse events and actions. Educational and cultural events are an almost must have. From parties to forums, and from panels to art shows, the possibilities are endless.
How about having a panel of forum on the war, and how it relates to the election? Or how about having an art show with political art? Whatever cultural or educational event a group chooses, it should be relevant, and framed within a broader strategy.
Every event or action we have should always have a “what’s next?” and give information to folks on how to continue their involvement. Brining folks to a march is one thing, but having them sustain their involvement and become lifelong organizers is another.
Nonviolent Direct Action
Just as voter registration is one tactic, so are educational and cultural events, and they, too, should not be used alone. Nonviolent Direct Action (NVDA) can be an extremely effective tactic. Movements have used NVDA effectively for hundreds of years. The power of nonviolent action is enormous.
Much of our actions will be symbolic. They should tell a story, with clear “good guys” and “bad guys,” conflict and resolution. It is important to remember that it’s not about what we say rather what they hear. Therefore, we need to be careful the story we are telling places us as the protagonists –this includes what story the media tells about us.
NVDA can be an affective tactic, and can demonstrate our power. It can tell a story, but it can also be extremely rewarding, refreshing and fun. To first timers, NVDA could be a life-changing experience, and challenge their assumptions about power and how change is made. It is truly powerful.
Conclusion
So we’ve gone over some basic ideas and concepts I’ve been thinking about lately. We have an understanding of how the relationship between institutions and individuals. We have an understanding of how change happens, and that we’ll need to move millions to win. We know that although elections and the electoral process can make SOME positive changes in our society, the primary avenue of institutional change is people and grassroots movements. We’ve talked about the present context, and opportunities for movement building. We’ve talked about staying relevant, and the need to move lots of people in lots of different ways. Finally, we’ve gone over some tactical ideas such as voter registration, educational and cultural events, and nonviolent direct action.
Bibliography / Recommended reading
- The Trajectory of Change, by Michael Albert
- “Decolonizing the Revolutionary Imagination,” by Patrick Reinsborough
- The Long Haul, by Myles Horton
- Liberating Theory, Various Authors
- The tipping point: how little things can make a big difference, by Malcolm Gladwell
