Did you know that there is an antidote to authoritarianism?
Even better, it's in every community and available right now
I have a new book review coming soon of Ken Grossinger’s Art Works: How Organizers and Artists Are Creating a Better World Together but today I have something bigger to share.
I co-wrote a white paper for People’s Action Institute that explores how a revival and expansion of community organizing in the United States can help defeat and out-compete rising authoritarianism. It is called The Antidote to Authoritarianism: How an Organizing Revival Can Build a Multiracial Pluralistic Democracy and Inclusive Economy.
The timing could not be better. I trust that you are as horrified as I am to learn that the Proud Boys are going on the offense against Pride and Juneteenth this month - events that are about love, resilience, and remembrance.
As an organizer however I know that the action is in the reaction. Knowing that white male cis-gendered heterosexual Christian nationalists are stirring up trouble in order to divide us and build their forces, means studying their playbook. Divide and conquer. Alienate and isolate. It is central to their identity to see the supermajority of Americans as the other, and to try to extract benefits for themselves in the oppression and domination of everyone else. This is the core of minority rule.
If we know this, then what do we do?
Posting on social media is not enough; the algorithms will ensure that your rage remains inside a bubble.
There’s only one thing that all of us can do, at anytime, to stop rising authoritarianism.
Organize. Organize in our communities, in our congregations, in our workplaces, in our schools. Everywhere.
If you are not already an organizer, well, it’s not all that hard. People are sick of feeling powerless; they want power but don’t know how to get it. Once you get comfortable asking people about the problems they face and the vision they have for themselves and the ones they love, you’re already halfway there because people will then ask you: what can we do?
If you are looking for an accessible guide to organizing, there are several that are terrific right off the shelf:
Tools for Radical Democracy: How To Organize for Power In Your Community by Paul Getsos and Joan Minieri
Organizing for Social Change: Midwest Academy Manual for Activists by Kim Bobo, Jackie Kendall, and Steve Max
H.E.A.L. Together Toolkit for Organizing Your Community by Honest Education Action & Leadership (H.E.A.L. Together) at Race Forward
The price of a multiracial democracy and inclusive economy is your time and energy. No one is off the hook, so you may as well double down if you’re already organizing or get started if you haven’t yet begun.
Feel free to ask questions in the chat - I am happy to answer any questions you have about organizing.