Activism Is Not Cold-calling.

Activism is not cold-calling.

Activism is not cold-calling, and this is critically important to understand.

I'm seeing a lot of posts on here about 'building bridges' and 'finding community,' and then (extremely valid) response posts saying "BUT HOW??" And I'm going to explain something that can be very counter-intuitive: there is strategy involved in community.

As a longtime volunteer labour organizer, I’ve taken and taught many trainings on the strategy of talking. Something that surprises a lot of people is the very first thing you do in a union campaign. You sit down with your organizing committee, take out pen and paper, and literally map it out. You draw a physical map of the workplace: where are the entrances, exits, break rooms, supervisor offices. Essentially, ‘where is it safe to have a union conversation.’ Then you draw another physical chart of your coworkers. You sort out who is union-friendly, openly hostile to unions, or somewhere in the middle, and then you plan out very deliberately and carefully who talks to whom and in what order.

Consider: If Vocally Leftist Jane walks up to Conservative David and says "hey what do you think about unions," David is going to shut down immediately. He's not inclined to listen to Jane. But if Jane talks to Moderate Jason and brings him into the fold, then Jason is a far more effective strategic choice to talk to David, and David may actually hear him out without an instant reaction.

IMPORTANT CAVEAT: If Conservative David turns out to be Alt-Right David, and could be dangerous to follow organizers, we write him off. We are not trying to reach Alt-Right David. We are trying to reach Conservative David, who may actually be persuaded to find solidarity with other employees as fellow workers. Jason is a safe scout to find out which one he is. It does no one any good if Leftist Jane (or even Moderate Jane who is a visible minority) talks to Alt-Right David and puts herself on his radar. Not only has she done nothing to convince Alt-Right David to join a union - she's probably actively turned him against the idea - but now she's also in danger and the entire campaign is at risk. NOBODY WANTS THIS. Jane was NOT a hero for doing this. The organizing committee was foolish and enacted a terrible strategy to everyone's detriment.

Where you can make a difference is with people who will listen to you. You having a conversation with your well-meaning but clueless Centrist Democrat Auntie, and maybe gently helping her understand some things the media has been glossing over, is way more strategically useful than you marching up to MAGA Neighbour You've Met Once and trying to "build community" or "understand" them. They don't care. They're impervious, dangerous, and cruel. But maybe your beloved auntie will think about what you said, and then talk to her friend Anna who IDs as "fiscally conservative" but didn't vote because she can't bring herself to get on board with Trump. Then perhaps Anna talks to her brother Nic who has MAGA leanings but isn't all the way there yet. Proto-MAGA Nic would not have listened to you, nor would he have listened to Centrist Democrat Auntie, but he might absorb some of what his sister is saying.

This is not a cop-out or an echo chamber. This is you spending your time and energy strategically and safely. You are not a useful activist to anyone if you’re dead. Anyone who is telling you to hurl yourself directly at MAGA assholes like cannon fodder has no understanding of the strategy behind community building, and you should feel comfortable writing them off.

Last point: If you are tired, emotionally devastated, and/or in danger: take a break. This post is for people who would feel better jumping into action, not for people who are too overwhelmed to even think about it right now. You are worth so much even if you’re not actively Doing Activism, and your rest is worth more than “a break period so you can recharge and Do More Activism.” We all deserve the individual dignity of being worthy of comfort, rest & safety just on the basis of being human, outside of whatever we're doing for others' benefit. To deny ourselves that dignity is to devalue ourselves, and that’s the absolute last thing any of us should be doing right now.

More Posts from Solarpiracy and Others

4 years ago
Tribes Revive Traditional Hemp Economies
A post-petroleum transition plan.

“With 10,000 uses, hemp is one of the most versatile plants to grow—and in many ways can be a catalyst for change for Native peoples. We see a New Green Revolution in Indian Country, tied to justice, economics, restoration ecology, and a return-to-the-land movement, and it’s growing.

Just last year, the Fort Berthold Reservation, Colorado River tribes, Iowa Tribe (Kansas and Nebraska), Yurok, Sisseton and Santee Dakotas, to name a few, all got their hemp plans approved by the USDA, but more than that, tribal growers and thinkers are considering hemp as part of the future for Indian Country. And young leaders such as Muriel Young Bear, a Meskwaki woman from Iowa, and Marcus Grignon—a Menominee and project director at Hempstead Project HEART, a John Trudell initiative—represent a new wave of commitment.”

3 years ago

transcript:

[ even as one branch of asian americans goes corporate, another branch follows edward said’s insights and connects east/southeast “orientals” to arab “orientals”.

asian american studies owes so much to edward said, the palestinian author who wrote orientalism, which gave all of asia this specific framework to understand their own oppression, how the west uses orientalism to justify colonization and exploitation of asia.

and this was derived from his own experiences with the brutal colonization of his homeland palestine, which is in west asia.

and so, to all of the people who are posting a lot about #stopasianhate i hope you guys remember that “asian american” was a political identity created in the 60′s to create continental solidarity to fight against western imperialism.

so, there is no asian american politics without “free palestine” ]

end transcript

2 years ago

hobbies masterpost!

a really excellent way to reduce anxiety is to pick up a new hobby. find something you’re interested in, learn it, then use it as a healthy and productive way to cope.

learn to play guitar

learn how to make interactive stories with the free program Twine

learn how to make pixel art

learn another language

learn how to build a ship in a bottle

learn how to develop your own film

learn how to embroider

learn how to make chiptunes (8-bit music)

learn how to make origami (the art of paper folding)

learn how to make tumblr themes

learn how to make jewelry 

learn how to make candy

learn how to make terrariums

learn how to make your own perfume

learn how to make your own tea

learn how to build birdhouses

learn how to read tarot cards

learn how to make zines

learn how to code

learn how to whittle (wood carving)

learn how to make candles

learn how to make clay figurines

learn how to knit scarves

learn how to become an amateur astronomer

learn some yoyo tricks

learn how to start a collection

learn how to start body building

learn how to edit wikipedia articles

learn how to decorate iphone cases

learn how to do freelance writing

learn how to make your own cards and

learn how to make your own envelopes

learn how to play the ukulele 

learn how to make gifs

learn how to play chess

learn how to juggle

learn how to guerrilla garden

learn how to chart your family history

learn how to keep chickens

learn how to do yoga

learn how to do magic

learn how to raise and breed butterflies

learn how to play dungeons & dragons

learn how to skateboard

learn how to do parkour

learn how to surf

learn how to arrange flowers

learn how to make stuffed animals

3 years ago

With all the talk about telling people to start planting and growing crops to feed themselves and their communities during this time of crisis, I’m surprised I haven’t seen much about HOW MUCH to plant to feed people. Here’s a good article to serve as a jumping-off point, to give people an idea of when to plant and how much to plant to keep people fed. Keep in mind that unless you live on a fairly sizeable plot of land that has ideal growing conditions, you probably won’t be able to completely feed a family of four, at least with traditional gardening methods. However, you can still heavily supplement your diet with homegrown food if you plot your garden carefully.

How Much to Plant per Person in the Vegetable Garden
The Spruce
It's time to plan the vegetable garden, but how much should you plant per person to feed your family?

Some things you can do to save space include growing plants in stackable towers rather than flat rows. Not everything can grow this way, but growing herbs or even strawberries or some kinds of tomatoes in them can save a lot of space. Bonus points if you can get some vertical vining plants like beans or tomatoes to grow up the sides of them to maximize the space used.

With All The Talk About Telling People To Start Planting And Growing Crops To Feed Themselves And Their

Hanging planters can also be used for things like tomatoes, herbs, some berries, etc. The people who grew up watching TV in the 2000s may remember ads for the topsy-turvy tomato planter. I can’t vouch for the effectiveness of them, but it may be good inspiration for creative DIY hanging planters.

With All The Talk About Telling People To Start Planting And Growing Crops To Feed Themselves And Their

Many people don’t seem to know this (to be fair, it’s not very intuitive), but small melons and gourds can be grown vertically on a trellis. You will need pantyhose or something else that can act like a sling for when the fruit gets large enough, and you’ll also want to make sure the trellis is very sturdy. Here is an example of a watermelon growing on a trellis, with squash growing in the background:

With All The Talk About Telling People To Start Planting And Growing Crops To Feed Themselves And Their

Other good options that require a bit more DIY are hydroponics towers and walls. It’s basically just a series of pipes with holes for plants to grow out of. The only downside is they will require very regular fertilization and supplementation with other micronutrients that are essential for plant growth, because the plants are typically grown in either a non-nutritious medium like coconut coir or nothing at all.

Planter walls are the next step down, basically just building shelves with pots in them to fill with soil. Put these on a wall that gets good morning sun and some afternoon sunlight for best results. These and hydroponics both also have the advantage of being able to hook up to your gutters so that rainwater will go towards watering your plants rather than just being wasted.

If you want to get really fancy, aquaponics is the next step up. With aquaponics, you create a system that circulates water between plants and a tank full of fish. The fish waste provides fertilizer for the plants, and the plants help filter out the waste so the water stays cleaner. I’ve heard they’re a bit tricky to establish, but once you find the right balance, all you’ll need to do is feed the fish. This has the added bonus of providing a source of fish for people who can’t eat things like nuts and legumes but need protein. Here is a link to an article explaining what aquaponics is, how it works, and how it differs from hydroponics.

What is Aquaponics? | The Aquaponic Source
The Aquaponic Source
WHAT IS AQUAPONICS? What is Aquaponics? Many definitions of aquaponics recognize the ‘ponics’ part of this word for hydroponics which is gro

I also want to add that if you don’t have the space or ability to maintain a large garden, there are other options. Find or create a group with access to enough food to supplement or completely fulfill your diet, and offer another service. If you have space for a vermicompost bin or tower, that can still help contribute to the garden. Learning other skills like soap making, cooking, sewing/knitting/crocheting, electrical skills like wiring and soldering, welding, woodworking/carpentry, etc. means you will still have valuable skills to contribute towards the group, and this will set up the basis for a larger mutual aid network within your community.

6 years ago
The American Hogwarts Houses

The American Hogwarts Houses

1 year ago

Lol it doesnt matter if a cop shoots two times or trillion times, you learn in police school if somebody is a threat for you, you shoot him till he stops moving...

Let’s take a moment to take your law apart and analyze it:

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Darren Wilson chose not to carry a non-lethal weapon as well because it was not the most comfortable thing

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furthermore

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Mike Brown was unarmed

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these are Darren Wilson’s so-called injuries (THEY EVEN TRIED PASSING OFF A BIRTHMARK AS AN INJURY)

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Darren Wilson stopped Mike Brown for jaywalking, and he had no information about him supposedly robbing a convenience store. The store owner even said that nobody reported a robbery and he doubts that it was Mike Brown who shoplifted 48 dollar worth of items from his store. No matter what the police tells you, no matter if they claim Darren Wilson responded to a call, no matter how many witnesses they ignore, we still have the word of the store owner and his clerks, which they gave out publicly.

image

Mike Brown supposedly attacked Darren Wilson. Darren Wilson decided not to use mace that he said he had on him, but to shoot Mike Brown 6 times.

Unarmed Mike Brown was no threat to anyone. Even if he struggled for the gun, which I highly doubt, he was shot from a distance, which suggests he was running away. From my understanding, he was first shot in his forearm, from the back, while he was running away. Then he turned around and was shot in his upper arm, while he was still standing. He was shot in his chest while he was falling down and in his head, while he was already down. This was proven by Cyril Wecht, and if you do not know who he is, look him up. He worked many high-profile cases and is excellent in his line of work. Do watch his explanation.

Darren Wilson is a trained police officer. He was trained to work under pressure and to know how to react in such situations. He is in no way an inexperienced young cop (or a 5 year old) who could have reacted wrongly because he never found himself in a similar situation. He is a grown man who described Mike Brown as looking like demon to justify his actions.

image
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An unarmed 18 year old child. It. A demon. Hulk Hogan. And he said he would do it again. He would shoot dead an 18 year old boy who was running away from him.

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Throwing this in as well because it’s important and not enough people are talking about it.

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Not to mention, Darren Wilson’s most vocal supporters, the KKK. And he’s being investigated himself about being connected to them in ways he shouldn’t have been.

Frank Ancona, leader of the KKK, admitted to speaking to law enforcement in Ferguson off the record. He tried to take it back afterwards, which only made it clearer that Ferguson police has been working with the KKK.

And in case you failed to read this anywhere else (624 black men if you do the math):

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Even though it now has enough signatures, you can still sign this petition to bring Darren Wilson up on federal charges.

IN CONCLUSION

image

YOU DO NOT SHOOT UNARMED BOYS UNTIL THEY STOP MOVING THE LAW NEVER SAYS CONTINUE SHOOTING WHEN THE BOY IS FALLING DOWN AND DEAD ON THE FLOOR, YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO INCAPACITATE HIM AND NOT KILL HIM

(all underlined text leads to other sources, do click on it)

EDIT: ADDING SOME NEWER INFO

A lot of the buildings being burned down and destroyed in Ferguson are owned by black owners. It’s the KKK’s work. A couple of looters aside, the actual protesters are not harming anyone or anything. Nothing is sacred to them.

Lol It Doesnt Matter If A Cop Shoots Two Times Or Trillion Times, You Learn In Police School If Somebody

THE GRAND JURY HAD AN OUTDATED LAW FROM ‘79 GIVEN TO THEM, INSTEAD OF THE ONE FROM ‘84 

Lol It Doesnt Matter If A Cop Shoots Two Times Or Trillion Times, You Learn In Police School If Somebody

source


Tags
3 years ago
Winston Duke As Paz Vizsla

Winston Duke as Paz Vizsla

This has been on my mind all day thanks to @jaigrex. Had to draw this.


Tags
4 years ago
Please Take Action And Sign The Following Petitions:
Please Take Action And Sign The Following Petitions:
Please Take Action And Sign The Following Petitions:
Please Take Action And Sign The Following Petitions:
Please Take Action And Sign The Following Petitions:
Please Take Action And Sign The Following Petitions:
Please Take Action And Sign The Following Petitions:
Please Take Action And Sign The Following Petitions:
Please Take Action And Sign The Following Petitions:
Please Take Action And Sign The Following Petitions:

Please take action and sign the following petitions:

Petition 🇺🇸 Secretary of State to #SaveSheikhJarrah

Lobby 🇬🇧 UK Foreign Office to #SaveSheikhJarrah

Petition 🇺🇸 Congress to #SaveSheikhJarrah

Source:  LET’S TALK PALESTINE

3 years ago
A Stitch In Time: Arnolfini
A Stitch In Time: Arnolfini
A Stitch In Time: Arnolfini
A Stitch In Time: Arnolfini
A Stitch In Time: Arnolfini
A Stitch In Time: Arnolfini
A Stitch In Time: Arnolfini
A Stitch In Time: Arnolfini
A Stitch In Time: Arnolfini
A Stitch In Time: Arnolfini

A Stitch in Time: Arnolfini

Ninya Mikhail, Historical Costumier [x]

3 years ago

“The common pattern throughout human history, including communities where significant elements of exchange existed, was for production, exchange and consumption to be embedded in a context of social relationships, religion, love and family life. If anything, the common denominator throughout human history — even in our society, despite the capitalist state’s attempt either to destroy it or harness it as an auxiliary of the cash nexus — has been what Graeber calls “the communism of everyday life.” Every society in human history has been a foundation built out of this everyday communism of family, household, self-provisioning, gifting and sharing among friends and neighbors, etc., with a scaffolding of market exchange and hierarchies erected on top of it.”

— Kevin Carson, The Communism of Everyday Life

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solarpiracy - SolarPiracy
SolarPiracy

a repository of information, tools, civil disobedience, gardening to feed your neighbors, as well as punk-aesthetics. the revolution is an unending task: joyous, broken, and sublime

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