Something I learned in the course of organizing a union at my workplace—and something that is keeping me from completely losing it as these ridiculous executive orders and actions accumulate: We organize on our timeline, not on the boss’s timeline.
Comments
Log in with your Bluesky account to leave a comment
Our opponent (the boss, the GOP) is doing something absurd and upsetting? We respond *only if it fits into OUR plan to win*. Directing the movement energy to put out every little fire will distract from the overall goal. Keep building on the movement’s timeline toward its goals.
Are people from our constituency affected? Use this moment to bring them into the fold. If we’re already organizing on the issue—great! We can mobilize the constituency we’ve been building to act. And we find ways to support the movements working directly on emergent issues we are concerned about.
What this presupposes, of course, is: belonging to a movement that has a clearly defined goal. It’s hard to find an organizational home, but usually there are people already doing the work you want to support (as @prisonculture.bsky.social often says). Find those people and get to it c:
Part of what I think many don't recognize is that mobilizing can lead to organizing but isn't in and itself organizing. So it can get confusing to folks.
Absolutely. And while more and more people have experience going to street demonstrations etc, the different kinds of habits, practices, skills, timelines, and emotions involved in organizing are much less familiar I think...
I've had so many people bail and complain... organizing is too many meetings. And yes, sorry to report, organizing is MEETINGS, lol. I get the frustration. You can't get around it.
Comments