this post was submitted on 30 Nov 2023
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askchapo
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Concept of bureaucracy is made salient to area hexbear user; dissonance ensues
The Bolsheviks were all about having professional organizers. They weren't paid much, but they were paid.
DSA is fairly incompetent so this is a complimentary comparison to make.
I'd say that the key issue is the org structure itself and who, exactly, is getting paid. I've seen people grift money from lefty orgs before and throw quite the tantrums when it was discovered they didn't really do anything. There's also an awkward position to be in where you kind of control someone's livelihood but also need to have healthy criticism of the work they're doing, and sometimes it will need significant improvement. This is usually a matter of training and not their fault, but it's something that requires some finesse and social skills that a lot of people seem to lack for some reason.
Thanks, I think this really helps me out. Dealing with a sorta dark money deal that smells like the DNC and while I think they’re trying to do something good, this leader shuts down any ideas that conflict with the org’s agenda. Anyone pointing out root causes is not taken seriously, I might add. Most of this is local organizing (which is why I felt like I might be able to make a difference), but it’s starting to feel like we can’t question anything :/
I am starting to feel like a Christian spreading my religion, the only difference is that I can very well provide evidence for my claims
Sounds like a sketchy situation. In orgs where there's only like one paid staffer imo it should not be leadership getting paid, instead it should be staff doing the tiring work that nobody wants to do. This avoids the obvious conflict of interest in someone using their position of power in the org to get themselves paid.
If you're not already, I'd recommend out-organizing this "leader", which is to say, build your own side group to oppose this. Start with one-on-one conversations with the people who seem on board with you already.
Really appreciate the help. Oh I can tell you I already have some people on my side, so maybe something can be done :) Things get muddied though because it claims to be “neither democrat nor republican” so the opinions vary quite a bit
Ah that can be just no fun at all. Glad you've got some allies!
Professional organizer didn't literally mean they were paid btw
You may be thinking of the concept of professional revolutionaries, though they also tended to get paid because they'd have no time to hold down regular jobs.