Social Media is a new tactic
for our times
Movements for Peace and Justice in the USA have multiplied since the 60’s but the tactics employed by activist in these movements have remained the same, mainly protest in word and action. However, “the powers that be”, those who have an interest in endless wars and keeping injustices, have radically changed tactics from reacting to protest to ignoring them. When a civil rights marcher in the 60’s marched into Birmingham they were met with vicious dogs and beatings by clubs by the Sheriff. Today when thousands march against the School of Americas in Columbus, Ga. the streets are blocked off and they are ignored by police and media. Also today the ‘powers to be’ overwhelm us with issues, keep us on the defensive and attempt to divide and conquer us while in the 60’s we are united around major issues, like war in Vietnam and civil rights.
For awhile I have been thinking about what are the new tactics in the civil rights and peace movement that we can use to make peace and build justice in our society? Last week I talked about what I consider three essentials for a real democracy: conflict, civil disobedience and suffering. But what are the new tactics we need to employ to battle the “powers to be”?
I do not have the answers but do have some thoughts. I have been listening to the ancient Chinese classic literary writing The Art of War by Sun Tzu in China in the 200–300 B.C. Although it has remained an important work for military strategist over the years its tactics have been applied to many other fields of endeavors, like business and sports. A successful strategy, according to this manual leads to a battle being won before it is fought, or better yet, won without a fight.
A lesson about tactics today for nonviolent action for justice and peace is enter the battlefield, like civil rights leaders did in the march in Birmingham with a win, win stragedy. If “Bull” Connor and the forces of segregation had left the civil right marches go, they would have admitted their segregation laws were unjust. By beating and arresting the marchers they showed the whole world how hateful and wrong segregation was. It is harder today, when the powers that be ignore marchers or protestors; however if we can create a situation where they have to face up to injustices, admit them or deny them we can win many a battle.
Waging Peace needs to be just as hard fought as waging war. One way we can wage peace and justice is by refusing to go on the defense and stay on the offense, despite attacks on us personally, defeats and rejections. Also we need to stay consistent and focused. As activist we need not to work for results but because it is the right thing to do and we need to do it to keep our dignity and respect. We need to work for immediate change, if it comes or not.
Above we must break the silence when we see any injustice, though it might mean hardship and rejection for us.
How to translate these principles into tactics, and more importantly, how to live them in daily life remains a lifelong search. We need new tactics for new times? Any ideas? Contact:
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