Like yeah if everyone was like "let's spend the next two years campaigning for dems!" that's not something new that's a classic reactionary trap. But telling ppl trying experimental shit it won't work as it starts (instead of patiently explaining why it didn't after) seems counterproductive - ThreadSky

vickyacab.bsky.social • 3 days ago

Like yeah if everyone was like "let's spend the next two years campaigning for dems!" that's not something new that's a classic reactionary trap. But telling ppl trying experimental shit it won't work as it starts (instead of patiently explaining why it didn't after) seems counterproductive

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vickyacab.bsky.social•3 days ago

I tend to agree that an unfocused buy nothing day boycott wont spark the rev. But it's a low commitment easy access action that makes people think about the connections between their everyday lives and fascist power, so I'm gonna participate! Why not? Let's fucking try it!!

julieofthespirits.bsky.social•3 days ago

I feel like it's both 1) probably not going to have a big effect and also 2) costs me nothing to go along with it so why the fuck not

ohweebeasties.bsky.social•3 days ago

It might help all of us to minimize purchases from certain corporations even after today.

mistresscaution.bsky.social•3 days ago

It also depends on what we mean by "work." It won't work in that it won't solve everything. It will work in that it's an easy access point to a conversation about buying power and collective action. It will work in that it makes people feel part of something.

vickyacab.bsky.social•3 days ago

Seems to me like a big protest march. I think in general that's not an important thing to focus our energies on. And also, I often will go to one assuming it isn't organized/called by orgs I know are wet-blanketers/movement coopters. And when they're big enough, they can be rejuvenating and powerful

vickyacab.bsky.social•3 days ago

Now, I may well spend most of it bitching to my friends about how disheartening it is to march in circles when we have a crowd this big, afterwards I may critique how it went with frustration, but ahead of time, unless I know for a fact its being tightly controlled by grifters, fuck it! let's try!

vickyacab.bsky.social•3 days ago

All of which is to say: morale is a terrain of struggle. We all of us are here together, and all of our combined efforts have gotten us here. That said? That's a role I take on, trying to fight for morale. I'm a "let's do everything" kinda gal. I got that ADHD LMAO

vickyacab.bsky.social•3 days ago

History is weird. The Russian Revolution was started by Father Gapon, a literal secret police asset, getting peasants to march an emotional religious appeal to the tsar (trying to funnel energy away from striking/rioting proletarians), and thereby creating the march that became Bloody Sunday 1905

vickyacab.bsky.social•3 days ago

History is made by people deciding today is the day they're gonna take a stand, today is the day they're gonna act. We can't tell what day that's gonna be, or what act. I have very strong opinions and ideas about what works and doesn't, and also, I'd be very fucking excited to be proven wrong!

alraven.bsky.social•3 days ago

😇❤️

virtuistic.bsky.social•3 days ago

For real, people need to stop demotivating folks and learn to appreciate both a diversity of tactics and emergent strategy. It's okay if an intro action doesn't solve all the things. It's okay if there's not a fully articulated vision, especially if it helps us get closer to a better one.

vickyacab.bsky.social•3 days ago

i also think critique, even harsh critique, is a vital part of this process! it's just about how we communicate it and whether we do so from a position of really wanting something to work vs. trying to reassure ourselves that we are right

alraven.bsky.social•3 days ago

Also worth noting that there's more at stake with actions than their literal/specific outcome. E.g. socializing and gaining experience in concrete struggles is what can turn people into "sustainable" militants who can get shit done!
(It also builds bonds, networks, that didn't exist before!)

alraven.bsky.social•3 days ago

For example studies in France that the people who took part in May 1968 (basically a defeated uprising) were still decades later in the 90's, active in leftist movements and key leaders/figures in them.
Momentum gets build THROUGH MULTIPLE cycles of struggle (e.g. 1905 then 1917 in Russia!)

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