One of the things I try to keep in mind about younger adults is that change has come at lightning pace for the entirety of their lives. Social media and technology have made shifting public opinion on social issues MUCH FASTER than in decades past. But institutional or systemic change is a different beast, because it isn’t about opinion, so much as POWER. That kind of change has always been far harder to come by. Power will never concede without a long & protracted fight.
I see these incredibly passionate and kind young political activists getting frustrated by the fact that their morally sound arguments aren’t swaying people fast enough. But what many of them miss is that people can agree with them in principal, and STILL not want to undertake serious systemic disruption.
Partly that is because some derive their own power from their place in the structure, and partly because older folks grew up in times when systemic change was slow and social disruption had serious negative consequences for many. There is a difference between progress and systemic change. It is far easier to sell the former. And it takes a great deal of time and perseverance to make headway with the latter.
I see some folks on social media moving from trying to persuade, to pleading, to extortion, to threats – ever escalating their rhetoric and prognostications of catastrophe to create “pressure on leaders,” but that doesn’t really work. Neither does passivity, withdrawal or capitulation.
What works to take down a seemingly impervious system is INFILTRATION! (Just ask Putin). The answer is to get into the structure. In this case, that means running for office, become active party leaders, and influencing others to join IN, rather than to stay away and apart. It is both a tactical and strategic mistake to remain resolutely uninvolved in the structure one is trying to change. Indeed, the opposite is true. Amazing things can happen when you get inside. We see it everywhere. Progressive DAs and legislators are making a HUGE impact! Imagine what a slew of progressive judges and media leaders could do.
For many, the need for change is too urgent to wait that time. They see the need for serious climate policy and social justice reforms as immediate. They are NOT wrong. But human nature has not changed. People who fear change will resist it. And perhaps, understanding that can temper some of the anger and frustration.
The young people WILL WIN! Of that, there is NO doubt. I honestly long for the America of their vision, because it will be a far more morally sound and livable place. I have no doubt about that either.
I just hope our young activists bear in mind that when they become the “establishment,” they too will balk at those demanding that they bend to the will of the next “new” generation. It’s inevitable that the structures they create will also be “infiltrated” some day.
Website for Pam Keith Follow Pam on Twitter at @PamKeithFL
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