Excellent column with great recommendations. As someone who was involved in a number of movements over decades, I saw judgmental attitudes create many divides and in-fighting in organizations and action groups. As an organizer, I had to walk a fine line between trying to plug members/volunteers into appropriate and doable (for them) roles and actions in the organization, yet simultaneously pushing individuals and the group into actions that were more effective. Does this make sense?
Constance, your observation makes good sense. I was a Conscientious Objector during Vietnam but stayed away from physical protesting. My protest was absolute resistance which was right for me given my level of trust. In the sixty years since then experience has confirmed me in the opinion that others' motivations are not necessarily what they say or one assumes.
Thank you for your act of resistance, Carleton. I don't get to say that openly very often.
My late, older brother was a C.O. as well during the same era. Sometimes such resistance costs something, too, such as loss of respect or acceptance from others who would otherwise have no problem with you. I often wonder: isn't that enough rejection, without people "on our side" question our each and every move, motive, or question? My brother had a pretty thick skin, but as his younger brother I've often had to be very careful who I even mention my brother's act to.
Wayne, please accept my condolences for your loss. He must have had determination and been most centered. Your affection for him shows and I'll wager you and he faced the world with clear eyes and together.
Thanks Carleton - doggone it, I'm tearing up now, and with no minimizing of that affection, I haven't done that very often on losing him. I'm also kind of chuckling, it's bittersweet. I've had a fair amount of loss in recent years, which I may share more, when and if appropriate.
But yes, he was really one of a kind, a real Renaissance man, fluent in three languages (that I know of, besides English), a first-rate listener, who heard me toward the end, wanting to delve into spiritual matters.
Anyway, like I said, I'll share more, while keeping it on or close to topic.
This: “… authoritarian regimes want us divided.” 100%! Trump uses a divide and conquer approach in politics quite effectively. It started with questioning Obama’s citizenship when he was first campaigning way back when; then the Muslim ban when he first got into office. There’s been endless examples of similar tactics since then…too many to list really. As it applies to The Resistance, he’d love to see us tearing each other down so he doesn’t have to do the hard work of trying to separate us. The best thing we can do is celebrate each other’s approaches to resistance. Empower the movement not the dictator!
Such important guidance. I've been following the pleas to "get all your neighbors, friends, family out in the street for xyz day rally" and pressing on everyone to join marches. I need to forward your substack, with an admission that I've fallen into this stance myself. Thank you.
It's so easy to take that position, especially when everything feels so urgent, and the '3.5% law' is being waved about like it's a magic wand. I'd love to think that's what it's going to take to change things, but the evidence since the study suggests it's not. So we need to bed down and prepare for the longer haul, together.
This is very heartening to read. I’m one of those folks who can’t show up at a mass event, even if I had the energy for it. My career at a public university is based on NIH-funded university international clinical research in infectious diseases, and I’m running on fumes right now. I particularly appreciated this: “That’s how movements last — not by pushing everyone to the front, but by making sure no one gets left behind.” I’m one of the folks bringing up the rear.
I think this is essential, and it is why I post the "Dandelion Report" on my Newsletter, I want people to consider the whole range of ways to start getting involved.
We all need to start somewhere, and protests will never be feasible for many, but you can still be meaningfully involved in this moment.
Excellent column with great recommendations. As someone who was involved in a number of movements over decades, I saw judgmental attitudes create many divides and in-fighting in organizations and action groups. As an organizer, I had to walk a fine line between trying to plug members/volunteers into appropriate and doable (for them) roles and actions in the organization, yet simultaneously pushing individuals and the group into actions that were more effective. Does this make sense?
Thanks for your kind words Constance.
Yes, that makes complete sense — can't have been easy!
Constance, your observation makes good sense. I was a Conscientious Objector during Vietnam but stayed away from physical protesting. My protest was absolute resistance which was right for me given my level of trust. In the sixty years since then experience has confirmed me in the opinion that others' motivations are not necessarily what they say or one assumes.
Thank you for your act of resistance, Carleton. I don't get to say that openly very often.
My late, older brother was a C.O. as well during the same era. Sometimes such resistance costs something, too, such as loss of respect or acceptance from others who would otherwise have no problem with you. I often wonder: isn't that enough rejection, without people "on our side" question our each and every move, motive, or question? My brother had a pretty thick skin, but as his younger brother I've often had to be very careful who I even mention my brother's act to.
Wayne, please accept my condolences for your loss. He must have had determination and been most centered. Your affection for him shows and I'll wager you and he faced the world with clear eyes and together.
Thanks Carleton - doggone it, I'm tearing up now, and with no minimizing of that affection, I haven't done that very often on losing him. I'm also kind of chuckling, it's bittersweet. I've had a fair amount of loss in recent years, which I may share more, when and if appropriate.
But yes, he was really one of a kind, a real Renaissance man, fluent in three languages (that I know of, besides English), a first-rate listener, who heard me toward the end, wanting to delve into spiritual matters.
Anyway, like I said, I'll share more, while keeping it on or close to topic.
This: “… authoritarian regimes want us divided.” 100%! Trump uses a divide and conquer approach in politics quite effectively. It started with questioning Obama’s citizenship when he was first campaigning way back when; then the Muslim ban when he first got into office. There’s been endless examples of similar tactics since then…too many to list really. As it applies to The Resistance, he’d love to see us tearing each other down so he doesn’t have to do the hard work of trying to separate us. The best thing we can do is celebrate each other’s approaches to resistance. Empower the movement not the dictator!
Yes, Robin!!! 🙌
That gave me goosebumps — I'm restacking it. 😀
Quite on topic! You migh find the following of interest:
https://joshketry.substack.com/p/the-ten-commandments-of-the-corruptors
Thanks for sharing! It's as if Trump wrote these Ten Commandments of the Corrupters himself!
Such important guidance. I've been following the pleas to "get all your neighbors, friends, family out in the street for xyz day rally" and pressing on everyone to join marches. I need to forward your substack, with an admission that I've fallen into this stance myself. Thank you.
You're welcome Robin.
It's so easy to take that position, especially when everything feels so urgent, and the '3.5% law' is being waved about like it's a magic wand. I'd love to think that's what it's going to take to change things, but the evidence since the study suggests it's not. So we need to bed down and prepare for the longer haul, together.
Really excellent and timely article. Thank you for it. And the effort it took to produce and post it.
You’re welcome.
Whenever I read one of your comments, I feel seen and deeply appreciated. It means a lot, Susan — thank you. 🙏
This is very heartening to read. I’m one of those folks who can’t show up at a mass event, even if I had the energy for it. My career at a public university is based on NIH-funded university international clinical research in infectious diseases, and I’m running on fumes right now. I particularly appreciated this: “That’s how movements last — not by pushing everyone to the front, but by making sure no one gets left behind.” I’m one of the folks bringing up the rear.
I think this is essential, and it is why I post the "Dandelion Report" on my Newsletter, I want people to consider the whole range of ways to start getting involved.
We all need to start somewhere, and protests will never be feasible for many, but you can still be meaningfully involved in this moment.