I traveled to Asheville last weekend for the sake of hearing Rev. Barber and strategizing with some of the most active and progressive Kossacks on the site. As much as I looked forward to the meetup, it exceeded my expectations.
(If you haven't already done so, I implore you to check out the diary that navajo posted on Monday about Rev. Barber's speech: Reverend Barber suggests Daily Kos team up with Moral Monday Movement and go national. There have been several other fabulous diaries about the weekend's events, with more to come, but hers has the YouTube of his address plus a transcript. Plus, hers is a direct call to action for the entire site.)
But now the important work begins. One of Rev. Barber's key messages in his address was this, the very first of the fourteen steps fundamental to the creation of a Third Reconstruction:
1. We must engage in indigenously-led grass roots organizing across states. There is no shortcut around this. We must build relationship at a state level. Helicopter leadership by so-called national leaders will not sustain a moral movement. [applause] What you need is to make local movements national! The nation didn’t change from DC down! It changed from Selma and Birmingham and Greensboro up! [applause] People say to me, Rev. Barber, we like the work you’re doing in North Carolina, but you need to go national, you’re not national. I say: by whose standard? You do not have an address in DC to be national, all you’ve got to do is have a movement that begins to touch the heart and the mind and the imagination of people across the nation. You don’t have try to be everywhere. They say, Rev. Barber: come here lead us. I say: nope. But I will slip in and teach you what we have learned so you can lead it yourself. What they need are indigenous…. So what we need indigenously-led, state based, state government-focused, this is because the worst stuff that is happening to us is the place where we have the least amount of attention, and it’s in these state capitals! You need to have C-SPAN and blogs inside these state capitals, listening to these debates on the floor of the capital, so people can hear exactly what’s being said--and done! State-based, deeply moral, deeply constitutional, anti-racist, anti-poverty, pro-justice, pro-labor, transformative fusion movement. [emphasis added]
WE need to be the change we are looking for, right here in our own beloved and beleaguered state of Michigan.
So what do we need to do?
I can think of several actions that we, collectively, are already taking. Many if not most of us reading here are already participating in other progressive groups. We have many, focusing on an important array of topics. Environment. Public Education. Labor. Women's Rights. LGTBQ Rights. Immigrant Rights. Civil Liberties. Criminal Justice. Economic Inequality. (I could go on, but I figure you understand.) I know that we cover a lot of ground with our various affiliations.
Of course, political activism is also important. You know I'm deeply involved in local party politics, and I'm interested in fostering communication with other county party activists who would like to increase horizontal communication across counties and districts, as well as bring more community voices into the party. I believe in small d democracy first and foremost, and I believe that the Democratic Party needs to be attentive and accessible to everyone in our communities. While electing Democrats is often a worthy goal, I believe it is only insofar as Democratic officeholders help us create a more equitable and just society for all. The real point is not simply to be elected and leave it at that.
Actions in our topic-focused groups are important and essential. But how do we take this to the next level?
Please join me below the stylized orange handclasp for more.
I see, on first glance, three important ways to advance the development of a moral fusion movement in Michigan.
The first for us, since we are here on line, is for us to continue to communicate, advertise, promote, and advocate for the actions we know about. Citizen journalism, that's what blogging is all about, right? (In Rev. Barber's words, we are the movement's Baruchs.)
I'd like us to cultivate a roster of Michigan bloggers whose voice we can amplify here. Not everyone will want to use Daily Kos as their primary platform, and I think that's fine. Lots of room in the blogosphere. But we do need to support our local, state-based bloggers, like Eclectablog and Michigan Liberal and Mark Maynard (please add others in the comments if you are so inclined).
It would be great if we all put the ones we know and admire on our personal blogroll, right? And other folks could write a roundup on occasion of the blogs they think we-all ought to keep up with.
In a related vein: how about if we start to cover the MI Legislative Sessions from time to time? I've been to a couple of lobby days, and I've been an observer, but not at all frequently. I'm willing to commit to driving up to Lansing one day a month while the MI Leg. is in session. Anyone willing to make a similar promise? Even for once a quarter? (Oh, yeah, and then of course we'll have to WRITE about it!)
The second, I believe, is by supporting key coalition work, helping various groups grow and interconnect.
I'm not sure that I know of all that many that bring together organizations from a wide range of backgrounds and with a variety of constituencies. But I do know a few.
There is a solid one operating in Washtenaw County: WeROC, the Washtenaw Regional Organizing Coalition. Here's their long self-description, taken from their Facebook page:
WeROC brings together faith, labor, and community organizations and individuals to create a collective voice to impact public affairs and issues in the Washtenaw County, Michigan area. We are affiliated with the MOSES organization in S.E. Michigan (mosesmi.org) and the national Gamaliel Foundation network of community organizing projects (Gamaliel.org).
Our unique organizing process focuses on creating opportunities for more people of color, lower income residents, and youth to participate at the tables where decisions affecting them and the broader community are made -- and finding effective ways to dismantle the structures that stubbornly maintain racism and economic inequality in our area.
This summer, we are planning for a major Public Meeting, set for Sunday November 15, 2015. Our current action campaigns are being planned by the Education Action Team – which focuses on Restorative Justice and the school-to-prison pipeline – and the Economic Dignity for Working Families Action Team– which will contribute to a statewide ballot campaign and local actions for Earned Sick Time and to improving regional transportation.
As you see, WeROC does have some of the elements of an important, potentially transformative coalition, and they are devoted to empowering people in the community here who do not always have much of an opportunity to shape public policy. Chris Reeves shared with us last weekend that one of the core principles within the disability rights movement is this: "Nothing About Us Without Us." Why shouldn't everyone potentially affected by political decisions have a real say about them? So on those grounds alone, WeROC is on the right track. They are a good group, doing good work, and I know several of the activists in a leading role there.
Their major event of the year is coming up soon now--Sunday, November 15th. Would anyone like to help create a DKos presence there? Let me know; I'll bring it up again.
Another Washtenaw County-based group that isn't a coalition per se but draws upon the members of a lot of disparate groups is WCAT, or the Washtenaw Community Action Team. Their description states:
The Washtenaw Community Action Team is a collection of labor, community, and student activists that work to fight back against destructive legislation; educate people to be engaged politically; and organize for direct action. We are committed to changing the system from the local to the global.
I haven't been involved closely enough to know how best to support them, but I do know that the group includes a number of long-time local activists.
State-wide, Michigan United has been accomplishing some important goals with the help of several key group members. Here's their description (from their "Who We Are" page):
Michigan United is a statewide organization of community members and institutions fighting for the dignity and potential of every person. We are committed to a participatory democracy at every level, an economy that works for the many, and a society that dismantles racism while uplifting our common humanity. To ignite the power of our communities and shift the balance of power, we cultivate the leadership of those directly affected by injustice, and build popular institutions for the future.
Lots of really good organizations affiliated: labor, faith, community-based. You can check them out if you scroll on down when on the "about us" page.
Their annual dinner is coming up! October 10th. I hesitate to suggest we try to go--because it's free, and it seems a little opportunistic to say the least. But they are a solid player across the state, and they merit more coverage and support.
Do YOU know of other coalitions that need attention and coverage? Let us know. That's what we are here for.
And third, I think, we can help promote a moral fusion movement by getting involved. Doing service. [One of these Saturdays soon, I think that the Motor City Kossacks ought to take part in an Open Volunteer Day at the Motor City Blight Busters. What do you think, MCKers?) Attending rallies, yes, and participating in electoral politics are both very important. But we also make a difference by pitching in. Whether you get involved on your block, in your town or city, in your county, at your school--we need to cherish and expand the civic space available to us. Democracy takes real work and dedication. But when we work together, and build and dream together, we can surpass our expectations.
And speaking of coalitions, there's a great coalition that's coming together for an event this Saturday in Detroit:
WHAT:
March for Justice
WHERE: Roosevelt Park, Vernor Hwy, Detroit, MI 48216
WHEN: October 3, 2015 12:00PMCo-sponsors include the
Detroit People's Platform and the Sierra Club, among others.
This is part of the mission statement of the Detroit People's Platform:
The People’s Platform is a broad network of Detroit-based social justice organizations, activists, and residents committed to bringing about just transformation in economics and social dynamics through popular education, celebration, and organizing. We use data, analysis, advocacy, media and organizing to protect and increase participation in the democratic process and to demand that state and local decision makers consider racial equity and economic justice in their planning, funding, and policymaking decisions.
We have been discussing having a DKos contingent. Are we still on? I cannot get there till 1:00, but I am willing to come find you if I can.
I'm about to be triple-booked for this Saturday, in fact. I have a morning obligation, then this event to slip into after the march:
Saturday, October 3:
The American Solar Energy Society (ASES) is sponsoring a national Solar Tour!
Come to the largest grassroots solar event in the nation and be apart of the Renewable Energy Revolution. Attending the tour will allow you the opportunity to see new and innovative technologies locally that will benefit our environment on a global level! Americans have a voice in how they get their energy, so visit homes on the tour to learn and be a part of the solution to our energy problems.
Look at the number of local chapters in Michigan sponsoring an activity this Saturday (please follow the link above to ASES for live links):
Michigan: Oct 3, 2015
Ann Arbor – 10:00-4:00 https://sites.google.com/...
Chelsea Area – 10:00-4:00 Start the tour at the Chelsea District Library, 221 S. Main, where you can pick up a listing of tour sites.
Lansing Area – http://lansingsolartour.org/
Linden – 10:00-2:00 Start the tour at 265 E. Rolston Rd., Linden 48451
Traverse City – 10:00-4:00 www.glrea.org
West Michigan – 9:00-1:00 www.glrea.org
Ypsilanti – 10:00-4:00 http://solar.ypsi.com/...
What can YOU do to help birth a Third Reconstruction in Michigan?
The floor is open!
Please help us build this weekly Michigan thread so that it includes any information relevant to turning MI Blue again that you would like me to highlight. MI contributors are always welcome!
You can reach me through kosmail at peregrine kate.
Or say hi through email here: peregrinekate@gmail.com
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