Friday, January 20, 2006
Not A Game
The potential hijacking of the Minuteman issue by the Democratic Party for electoral purposes should put community activists on their guard. Not that Democrats shouldn't oppose racist vigilantes, but manipulating concerned citizens for political media spectacles is part of the problem with America, not the solution.
When party machinery takes hold of social unrest or discontent--for or against equality and justice--the image inevitably created by soundbite media is that of a highschool homecoming game, complete with marchers and banners and cheering mindless throngs. Not the type of message meant to encourage thought and reflection on how we organize our society.
Protests and marches and demonstrations are fine for stirring up inclusive emotions and noble sentiments, but unless they are followed by teach-ins and press conferences and adult forums in local churches and schools, the energy mobilized is all for naught. Competing for attention on the TV evening news or in the local newspaper monopoly does next to nothing to educate a severely misinformed populace; to do that requires research, planning, funding, and persistent outreach through community networks, unmediated by the gatekeepers of mass communication.
Making a social justice issue a partisan political issue almost certainly ensures that won't happen. Using scapegoated minorities--be they Black or Latino or American Indian--for the self-aggrandizement of privileged white institutions like the Democratic Party is self-defeating. Social justice is a moral issue, not a partisan one, so take the lead of groups like American Friends Service Committee, and leave the organizational banners home.
If you're set on marching, pick up a sign instead, something simple and to the point. Something like "Minutemen--Klansmen." After all, this isn't a game.
When party machinery takes hold of social unrest or discontent--for or against equality and justice--the image inevitably created by soundbite media is that of a highschool homecoming game, complete with marchers and banners and cheering mindless throngs. Not the type of message meant to encourage thought and reflection on how we organize our society.
Protests and marches and demonstrations are fine for stirring up inclusive emotions and noble sentiments, but unless they are followed by teach-ins and press conferences and adult forums in local churches and schools, the energy mobilized is all for naught. Competing for attention on the TV evening news or in the local newspaper monopoly does next to nothing to educate a severely misinformed populace; to do that requires research, planning, funding, and persistent outreach through community networks, unmediated by the gatekeepers of mass communication.
Making a social justice issue a partisan political issue almost certainly ensures that won't happen. Using scapegoated minorities--be they Black or Latino or American Indian--for the self-aggrandizement of privileged white institutions like the Democratic Party is self-defeating. Social justice is a moral issue, not a partisan one, so take the lead of groups like American Friends Service Committee, and leave the organizational banners home.
If you're set on marching, pick up a sign instead, something simple and to the point. Something like "Minutemen--Klansmen." After all, this isn't a game.
