11 replies to this topic

[mshell]

I just spent the weekend at a political organizing conference in San Francisco, and for the first time in my life I've got this craving to strategically fight the man. I'm curious who else has done it and if they have any stories. I'm interested in any grassroots campaigns people participated in, lobbying (which I really want to do), strategic planning (regarding pressuring councilmembers/congresspeople's voting on bills), and pressure tactics like demonstrations.

what did you do? did you get anything accomplished? was it fun? would you do it again?

[Jacki O.]

im pretty lax in my activism but i usually write letters to my elected representatives in state and federal governments, donate money to organizations like Planned Parenthood, the sierra club, etc.

and i've also been involved in marches and protests like the Anti-Arpaio march, the gay marriage march (after that anti-civil rights prop was passed in AZ last year), and the Global Marijuana March.

i also switched my cellular service to Credo which is a very cool cell phone company.

edit: and i helped co-organize the underground publishers convention last year in phx that works towards providing subversive and underground publishers and writers a venue for getting their materials out to the public - we hosted local anarchist collectives at the convention as well as Food Not Bombs and some independent writers and publishers from phx. And we had DIY workshops on printing, bike repair, and brewing beer.

[XMark]

The extent of my activism has been arguing environmental issues in web forums. Also, I wrote to a local newspaper that once published my brief explanation of why global warming is real in their feedback page. And that's it. I do have some strong opinions on pressing global issues, but I find that I usually have major disagreements with the groups that exist to do things about them. Take Greenpeace for example. They support action to curb global warming, but at the same time they oppose nuclear power development. A lot of environmentalists take this stance actually. They think that nuclear power plants have rivers of radioactive slime leaking from them and they can explode if you look at them wrong. Nuclear gets a really unfair bad rap, and there's so much political bullshit that's holding the world back in the dark ages of burning coal and oil.

[vitaminardi]

A lot of the best types of activism I've seen is really about connecting with people and simply showing up to events. The more events you show up to, the more like minded people you can connect with. You can write a lot and talk about your ideas using all kinds of media, but simply JUST showing up in person is a terrific and easy way to get started.

Issues such as climate change and global politics can be daunting...one thing thats rad is finding locals that focus on local issues. Where i live homelessness is a big issue, and once you dig into the complexities surrounding it, such as the international drug trade, the war on drugs, greedy developers, the cost of living, and housing accessibillity, you realize that what you do in your neighborhood is directly related connected to global issues. local action is global action

What kinds of things do you buy? do you eat a lot of processed food and meat? do you own a car? At the risk of ruffling a lot of feathers here, I'm going to say that these are critical questions to ask. We live in a consumer-capatalist society that hinges on this overwhelming concept of scarcity....never enough protien, never enough gas, never enough money, never enough love...

if you are for environmental justice, then contemporary farming methods with its associated pollution to the air, water and soil, dangerous labor practices (gee why are all these illegals working at processing plants?), and byproducts of dangerous illnesses should logically disturb you. Does the average citizen think about that shit when they chomp down on a tasty burger...most likely not...i'm not naive, but dreams are awesome. I personally think that what you spend your money on AND stuff in your mouth speaks volumes.

just some thoughts....

[Jacki O.]

stuff you said

i agree and sadly i dont do that as much as i should.

[JJames]

I'm no activist but i try to make good choices in related fields. Ive been a vegetarian for half my life, I attend most protests/demonstrations that i believe in (usually involving Arpio), I tryto live a sustainable life through my diet and transportation etc but its hard, I write my congressmen along with any other politician that will listen(I got a response few years back from McCain about immigration reform which was cool)but other than that i guess im not as proactive as i should be im just too busy with school/music/work

and i vote!

[sparky]

The extent of my activism is really just through my lifestyle choices. I've been eating vegetarian for almost a year now, and I try to ride my bike whenever I can. I'm not too politically minded, but I should be. I've been trying to keep up with news a little bit more, but it's hard for things to hold my interest. Like what JJames said, I'm just too preoccupied with school and music and the like.

Mshell, I'm glad that you had a worthwhile trip! You could tell me all about it when I see you tomorrow. Also, you should let me know when you plan on doing more "active" activist . . . activities.

[vitaminardi]

The extent of my activism is really just through my lifestyle choices. I've been eating vegetarian for almost a year now, and I try to ride my bike whenever I can. I'm not too politically minded, but I should be. I've been trying to keep up with news a little bit more, but it's hard for things to hold my interest. Like what JJames said, I'm just too preoccupied with school and music and the like.

Mshell, I'm glad that you had a worthwhile trip! You could tell me all about it when I see you tomorrow. Also, you should let me know when you plan on doing more "active" activist . . . activities.

I'm busy like everyone else...I don't think anyone really has time anyhow...I know I don't.....I said in my last post that basically showing up to things is the biggest accomplishment anyone can make. I went to several critical mass events in chicago between 2004 and 2006, and it was fucking amazing and possible because of the amount of people that simply showed up! when there's a small turnout for events like this, its a disaster! I'm not saying, show up all the time, but if one makes an effort to show up to things that matter every once in a while or once a year, then it just makes everything way more awesome. activism is about people. I was in chicago during the immigration marches.... that was nuts...lots of people showed up and it was like a freaking party.

Its not only about showing up, but there is a lot of things that are incredibly important, but not as cool/sexy as other things, like answering letters and emails, mailing shit, putting up posters, data input for mailing lists. this shit adds up, and there are a shit-tonne of people who need work like this done.

[Tony]

does talking shit about politicians on the shizz count as activism?

if it does, then yes, i am all up into activism.

[The Real Jeffrey Lebowski]

Have you heard about the 10 year old refusing to say the Pledge of Allegiance because of discrimination against gay people? This dude's the fucking shit.

Story at 11

Activism going viral!

It's fucking rough out there. But hearing stuff like the story about this 10 year old dude (from Arkansas!) inspires me enough to get through the next 50 asshole douches saying and doing stupid shit (whether they be Republicans, Joe Lieberman, people that comment on AZCentral, Sean Hannity, or Joe Lieberman).


P.S. Fuck You Joe Lieberman

[JJames]

Have you heard about the 10 year old refusing to say the Pledge of Allegiance because of discrimination against gay people? This dude's the fucking shit.

Story at 11

GAYWAD

[Tender Lad]

Have you heard about the 10 year old refusing to say the Pledge of Allegiance because of discrimination against gay people? This dude's the fucking shit.

Story at 11

Activism going viral!

That kid is fucking awesome!