this post was submitted on 03 Oct 2023
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That “good organizer” sounds like a magician to me. I cannot even convert my parents.
Oh, comrade, don't count yourself out for that. My parents are too far gone for me to bother with, but they're in their 60's (I would say "retirement age" but lol, not happening in
).
You have to triage your efforts:
Focusing on moving people up this ladder is what keeps me going. If I can take some radlib off the sidelines, make them active agitators, and bring them into the Firm Supporters category, that's a win. If I can convert a hardline liberal/conservative to being on the sidelines instead of actively opposing us, that's a win. You have to do what you can with what you have. None of us are perfect organizers, but maybe we can get a little closer to that goal.
It's only about 2-4 people per year if you start at 20 and organize for 50 years. This is very achievable if you put yourself in scenarios to meet people that are "almost there". People that like unions, marginalized people trying out community organizing, parties/orgs that allow libs and baby leftists in but don't let them dominate, orgs that table at political rallies and protests (competently), holding events where you invite the community to watch a movie or hear a speaker. Party-building stuff, basically.
Edit: oh and also be ready for emergency mobilization and recruitment. Never be caught off-guard when something like George Floyd's murder happens. Libs will take over and sheepdog if you don't (intelligently) insert yourself and work with your coalitions. This means being part of coalitions before the big events hit.
An agitator's job is not to convert but to sow the seeds. Every crack in capitalism is another place to put a seed and "That's capitalism for you!" is a seed that can be cast every day. Just keep pointing out the contradictions of capitalism and let people convert themselves.