Y'all have definitely inspired me to add to this essay. I have a lot of things to add, including what the proscription may be for TCK's like myself who have made their own culture and for those whose cultural information has been lost to history.

There's a lot of pain here that we're tapping into that I think is really showing me how hard this hits with a lot of you.

We, people who benefit from white privilege, need to make a better world for POC now. We, POC, are owed that. (See what I did there? ;) ) I could definitely name, like, five populations that should come ahead of any of mine, but we do that with you, not against you, not over you, and can't really even without you.

So we make it work. Somehow. Fuck purity tests. This is about humanity. And we fucking suck sometimes. Acting like we're all beautiful is clearly fucking us up. Learning to live with the discomfort of a shitty history is part of growing up, and everyone has to do that some time.

I assure you, every POC has contended with what it's like to have a shitty past. Some of us contend with a shitty present. We know it's possible to do. I believe in you, and if I can help, fuck yes, please. 💙

There are other bigotries, I know. We'll fight them all. We have the energy, the motivation, and the fucking done-with-this-shittedness to make it happen.

We're not gonna get 'em all, but the point can't be to get rid of evil. In a universe where you have to eat to live and babies can die of nothing at all? Nah. That's impossible. The point is to corral it like an angry moose and point it towards the dark metal box that it just keeps getting out of every so often. And to minimize that frequency as much as humanly possible.

#AntiRacism #SocialJustice #PurityTests #Humanity #TCK #CoalitionBuilding #MakeItWork

STARTING NOW! Watch at www.bit.ly/psotu

From 50501 DC: The People’s State of the Union – A Real Discussion on America’s Future.

Join us for a deep dive into the real state of the country—beyond the official narrative. This live stream features expert discussions, audience engagement, and powerful pre-recorded speeches addressing the critical issues shaping our future.

#PeoplesSOTU #LiveDiscussion #Politics #Economy #Healthcare #ReproductiveRights #Education #CoalitionBuilding

Join us tonight from anywhere for 50501 DC’s Virtual Event 🔴 LIVE at 8:30pm EST: The People’s State of the Union – A Real Discussion on America’s Future. Link to watch: bit.ly/psotu

Share your thoughts in the chat as we discuss the policies that affect you. Let’s build a movement for real change!

#PeoplesSOTU #LiveDiscussion #Politics #Economy #Healthcare #ReproductiveRights #Education #CoalitionBuilding

German vote winner Merz faces tough talks to build coalition government.

Germany's Friedrich Merz, whose conservative party won 28% of the vote in Germany's elections, on Monday pledged to form a coalition government without the far-right AfD party, who placed second in the vote, as "quickly as possible".

To do so he will have to reach out to opponents in the Social Democrats party.

https://mediafaro.org/article/20250224-german-vote-winner-merz-faces-tough-talks-to-build-coalition-government?mf_channel=mastodon&action=forward

#Germany #Elections #Politics #FriedrichMerz #Coalition #CoalitionBuilding

We are getting closer than ever to launching Public Assembly.

In the interest of finding out more about our audience we’ve put together a survey. It’s not that long and it’ll help us gauge interest in the product.

With the political landscape getting interesting, to say the least, now’s the time to get politically active and make a difference.

The link to the survey is in the comments!

Again, thanks for your help an insights!

https://forms.gle/mqchLKXaJ8BHk2B69

https://ourpublicassembly.com/updates/please-help-us-by-taking-our-interest-survey/

#advocacy #coalitionBuilding #collectiveOrganizing #Grassroots #peaceBuilding #Political #startup #survey

We Are Normalizing Trump. Again.

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/24/opinion/trump-republican-nomination-coalition.html?utm_source=pocket_saves

#TrumpNormalization #RepublicanNomination #CoalitionBuilding #PoliticalAnalysis #MediaInfluence #PublicOpinion #Politics #News

Influencing politicians as part of a grassroots political pressure group requires a strategic approach. Here are steps and tactics you can use to effectively pressure politicians:

Identify Your Target Politicians: Determine which politicians have the power to influence the policies or decisions related to your cause. This could be local, state, or federal representatives, depending on the scope of your issue.

Research Your Politicians: Understand the positions, voting records, and public statements of your target politicians regarding your issue. This will help you tailor your messaging and approach.

Build a Strong Group: As mentioned earlier, having a well-organized and motivated group is crucial. Politicians are more likely to listen to a group with a broad base of support.

Develop Clear Messaging:

• Craft a clear and compelling message that highlights the importance of your cause and the impact it has on constituents.
• Use personal stories and statistics to make your case relatable and persuasive.
• Be concise and focused in your messaging.

Engage in Direct Advocacy:

• Schedule meetings with your target politicians or their staff to discuss your concerns.
• Be respectful, well-prepared, and concise during these meetings.
• Present solutions and policy recommendations, not just problems.
• Follow up with thank-you notes and additional information.

Leverage Grassroots Action:

• Encourage your group members and supporters to contact their elected officials through phone calls, emails, letters, and social media.
• Organize letter-writing campaigns or phone call days to flood the offices of politicians with messages on your issue.
• Hold rallies, town hall meetings, or public events to draw attention to your cause.

Coalition Building: Collaborate with other organizations, advocacy groups, and community leaders who share your concerns. A united front can have a more significant impact.

Advocate at the Local Level: Sometimes, it’s easier to influence politicians at the local level before moving on to state or federal representatives. Local officials are often more accessible and responsive.

Monitor and Hold Politicians Accountable:

• Keep track of the actions and statements of your target politicians regarding your issue.
• Celebrate and acknowledge politicians who support your cause.
• Publicly critique and hold accountable those who do not.

Media Outreach:

• Write op-eds, letters to the editor, and press releases to garner media attention for your cause.
• Use social media and online platforms to raise awareness and engage with a wider audience.

Persistence and Patience:

Change often takes time, and politicians may not respond immediately. Be persistent in your efforts and maintain a long-term perspective.

Election Involvement:

• Engage in electoral activities such as endorsing and supporting candidates who align with your cause. 
• Conduct candidate forums or surveys to assess their positions on your issue.

Legal and Ethical Considerations: Be aware of lobbying regulations and campaign finance laws that may apply to your advocacy efforts and ensure compliance.

Remember that influencing politicians can be a gradual process, and it often requires sustained efforts and collaboration with a variety of stakeholders. Building relationships with politicians and their staff can be key to successfully pressuring them to take action on your cause.

https://ourpublicassembly.com/updates/influencing-politicians/

#advocacy #coalitionBuilding #Grassroots #influence #politicians #politics

I teach #advocacy based on lessons learned from watching physicians and scientists and talking with them. I’ve found disagreements on what people consider advocacy involving the negative definition.

Is dissemination of information advocacy? Or is #SciComm a different? Does the audience matter?

#QualityImprovement is taught separately but is it separate? Where is the line between #Research and advocacy? Is #CoalitionBuilding and #StakeholderEngagement advocacy?

I’d love to hear what you think