Monday, February 5, 2007
Making a Difference
Okay, I am going to get the ball rolling. Professor Waysdorf and I just had a conversation with a student about activism and whether or not it can make a difference in the world. As a baby boomer who was in college during the Vietnam War, I definitely believe that we can make a difference by participating in democratic politics. As we have been discussing in class, the law is a wonderful tool, but there are limits to its effectiveness. Grassroots activism, marching on Washington, and other forms of political protest are often more effective in changing public opinion, and thus changing what our elected officials do. Our service trip to New Orleans is another way to make a difference, one person and one case at a time. We are so excited to be sharing this opportunity with you. Please let us know your thoughts.
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4 comments:
Perhaps I am a cynic, or maybe it has to do with the fact that I have never lived through a major social movement, but I have to question the effectiveness of grassroots activism, and whether it really works.
I have a Margaret Mead bumper sticker on my car that reads, "never doubt that a thoughtful group of committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has." But is it really possible? Particularly in light of the advances in technology and communications, I think that the movement has to be fundamentally different, if it is even possible at all.
I can understand your cynicism, and I agree that the kind of activism we did in the 70's would not work today. But I have to agree with Margaret Mead, who was the generation ahead of me. Their kind of activism was different from the 70's, and your generation's will probably be different as well. But I believe that is the only way to really change the world.
Grassroots activism can work -- at least sometimes, for some things.
I worked with the DC School Modernization Campaign last year, a grassroots (unfunded, totally volunteer) campaign that got major funding (an extra $100 million per year) for DC public school buildings approved by the City Council in March 2006.
Enough people (about 1,400) told Councilmembers, enough times: "Vote for this funding or you're outta here."
Much of this campaign was Internet-driven (listservs to organize; e-mail updates; and e-mail and Website lobbying of elected officials). It also used "traditional" techniques: meetings; rallies; petition drives; visits to Councilmembers.
The grassroots activism was helped by lots of other factors: There was enough media attention and interest (editors and producers were/are morally outraged by school building conditions), the District had money available, there was a big election coming up soon, with a mayoral candidate / sitting Councilmember willing to push the bill, and the Council had just approved a huge public financing package for a baseball stadium.
Most elected officials don't hear much from "regular" people. And most regular people don't get to the point where they form alliances so they can speak with a common voice. To me, most of the power of grassroots activism is bringing together people with a common interest.
Yes, this is a good example of combining the new technology with old-fashioned grassroots techniques to produce results. Let's face it, even presidential candidates are trying to reach "real people" by using the new technologies. It is only a matter of time before Congress and other decision-makers do the same.
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