Building on this great thread: the good fight has been going on for centuries, and we can learn from those who fought before us. Two great examples: Ida B. Wells and Alexei Navalny. Here’s what I learned from their autobiographies: - ThreadSky

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econburk.bsky.social • 124 days ago

Building on this great thread: the good fight has been going on for centuries, and we can learn from those who fought before us. Two great examples: Ida B. Wells and Alexei Navalny. Here’s what I learned from their autobiographies:

Reposted from Anna Gifty

DOOMERISM ISN'T A STRATEGY.

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econburk.bsky.social•124 days ago

Tl;dr 1) arouse the consciousness of the people by truthfully reporting facts. 2) Find out where the audience is receptive and speak there. 3) Do the hard work of forming allies.

econburk.bsky.social•124 days ago

Wells was a journalist first and used those skills as an activist. She went to where lynchings happened, gathered first hand accounts, and published those accounts widely. She fought the perception that lynchings were justified simply by spreading the truth of how brutal and baseless they were.

econburk.bsky.social•124 days ago

She spoke to whatever audience was receptive. British whites were more receptive, so she traveled England giving speeches about her fact finding. It would be easy to criticize that approach, but it worked by putting external pressure on the US.

econburk.bsky.social•124 days ago

Wells also spent lots of time organizing clubs that published statements. Getting a large group of people to take a stand together builds networks, develops the skill of convincing skeptics, and I think sends an important message. It’s at least better than nothing.

econburk.bsky.social•124 days ago

Navalny also was a reporter of facts. He knew an average Russians would be appalled by the wealth of corrupt leaders, so he uncovered evidence and reported it. (@emptywheel.bsky.social also notes the importance of tracking corruption https://bsky.app/profile/emptywheel.bsky.social/post/3lgbqqk2n3c2w)

econburk.bsky.social•124 days ago

Navalny's ability to gather and analyze financial documents made him effective by himself. But he also realized there was an army of willing volunteers to do things he couldn’t

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