[2005/activism/handbook/header.htm]

Handbook for Protests, Demonstrations & Focused Communications
www.DemocraticFundamentalism.org
Chapter 4

Electronic Activism
What you can do in a few minutes to make a difference

RadioTVNewspapers | Chat Rooms & NewsGroups | Representatives


When TV Networks ask for viewers to email them and join them in their chat rooms, who do you think is responding?

When talk radio stations give out their phone numbers, who are the callers who call in?

When representatives receive your communications, what really happens?

When politicians say their top priorities are x, y and z, does their list match the latest Zogby poll results? Does their legislative record reflect that stated concern?

These are the kinds of issues we're now going to address in order to develop a more productive strategy than activists might have used in the past.  It can be more effective, more fun and more satisfying than you might imagine.

But it takes persistence.  We'd like to recommend that you decide on a particular kind of activism, and do that one well, and regularly.  Cause an audience to be familiar with your issues, identify with an organization or group of people when appropriate to project credibility, and keep using a common vernacular so that the message gets repeated over and over again, and becomes familiar from coast to coast, like a slang expression, no matter who says it.  This is about branding, or brand name recognition..

Remember that it's not important to win the discussions you have, it's only important that you plant seeds of inquiry.  An intellectually honest exchange without judgementalism... challenging people to put themselves in another's shoes to try to get them to experience it and for it to be relevant... is more effective than generating resistance to your subject.

Do not try to joust with others about facts if you are not well informed.   Politicians talk theory and ideal, not facts and specifics. There's an obvious reason for this.  They don't know.  And neither do the people they lead. 

Cause people to understand what you want them to know.

Let them win an argument for the opportunity to make your point.  People will hear you, and, over time, understand, and join in to defend your position.  It's important to interrupt the rhythm of the Rush Lindbaughs of the world by voicing reason, logic and compassion despite demeaning responses.  The audience may clap, but the people will hear YOU.

People just haven't figured out they have permission to speak out.  Give them permission by setting the example.