I get a bit irritated every time I read another article about what we "must" or "should" do without mention of what people are actually doing on the ground, or what experience led authors to their conclusions. I would rather hear about failed efforts and what can be learned from an honest examination of that failure than yet another exhortation. I have some false vanity as someone who has been in this since I was a teenager (which I am no longer!) and who takes some pride in no longer getting over-agitated about anything - but I still have trouble riding the highs and lows of this moment.
I get super inspired by the efforts of, for example, our heroic educators who are helping our kids through the brutality of mass deportation. Then I read the morning paper.....
I agree, Jeffrey. Recently in an exchange over this issue with some folks I am working with I made a similar argument: we need to have arguments that will move millions to win this. I actually tempered an earlier draft that went at "ultra-leftism" harder -- since these are folks I work with who are working their butts off for various immigrants rights efforts in an admirable way. But this kind of issue around crime or hard work is quibbling among left activists, not something that makes much sense to worry about when talking to regular folks. And I am getting more determined to speak up in opposition to it -- it wastes time and hurts our efforts if we want to talk to someone besides ourselves.
I appreciate your patience and even handed reply to those who say “We can't imply support for mass incarceration, or for Calvinist capitalist propaganda about hard work”.
But if they persist, I think our answer should be swift and simple: are you sincere about wanting enough real power to stop the enthic cleansing? Do you have a serious plan to earn the hearts and minds of at least tens of thousands of people, right now? If you do, whilst not reinforcing Carcerality and Calvinism I’m all ears. If not, pls get out of the way.
Great report. I particularly liked the point about a ten year plan for a ten week existential crisis. I note that there are a lot of folks who have a clear idea of what needs to be done, but no people or money to execute those plans, particularly in the deep South and places like TX. My family has a mix of statuses; when an outfit asks me to do something that might expose us to risk I decline. Organizing seems to me all about building relationships not just an ask to do this or that thing.
I get a bit irritated every time I read another article about what we "must" or "should" do without mention of what people are actually doing on the ground, or what experience led authors to their conclusions. I would rather hear about failed efforts and what can be learned from an honest examination of that failure than yet another exhortation. I have some false vanity as someone who has been in this since I was a teenager (which I am no longer!) and who takes some pride in no longer getting over-agitated about anything - but I still have trouble riding the highs and lows of this moment.
I get super inspired by the efforts of, for example, our heroic educators who are helping our kids through the brutality of mass deportation. Then I read the morning paper.....
I agree, Jeffrey. Recently in an exchange over this issue with some folks I am working with I made a similar argument: we need to have arguments that will move millions to win this. I actually tempered an earlier draft that went at "ultra-leftism" harder -- since these are folks I work with who are working their butts off for various immigrants rights efforts in an admirable way. But this kind of issue around crime or hard work is quibbling among left activists, not something that makes much sense to worry about when talking to regular folks. And I am getting more determined to speak up in opposition to it -- it wastes time and hurts our efforts if we want to talk to someone besides ourselves.
I appreciate your patience and even handed reply to those who say “We can't imply support for mass incarceration, or for Calvinist capitalist propaganda about hard work”.
But if they persist, I think our answer should be swift and simple: are you sincere about wanting enough real power to stop the enthic cleansing? Do you have a serious plan to earn the hearts and minds of at least tens of thousands of people, right now? If you do, whilst not reinforcing Carcerality and Calvinism I’m all ears. If not, pls get out of the way.
Great report. I particularly liked the point about a ten year plan for a ten week existential crisis. I note that there are a lot of folks who have a clear idea of what needs to be done, but no people or money to execute those plans, particularly in the deep South and places like TX. My family has a mix of statuses; when an outfit asks me to do something that might expose us to risk I decline. Organizing seems to me all about building relationships not just an ask to do this or that thing.