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> I also think most activists are aware of this. I'm sorry, but how did you come to this conclusion? The first thing that comes to mind is the new tactic used

by moon4u 6y ago

> I also think most activists are aware of this. I'm sorry, but how did you come to this conclusion? The first thing that comes to mind is the new tactic used by activist, saying something to the effect of "If you are not doing something to prevent racism, then you are guilty of being racist." Which is what (I believe) lead to this thing: https://www.businessinsider.com/white-protesters-confront-diners-during-black-lives-matter-protest-2020-8 https://www.businessinsider.com/white-protesters-confront-di...

SpicyLemonZest 6y ago
I think there's a distinction in terminology here. "Activist" generally (among people I talk to at least!) refers to activist organizers, who mostly agree that stunts like this are both bad and strategically unhelpful. Unfortunately, it's in the nature of community organizing that sometimes the community goes off script.
- tick_tock_tick 6y ago
  There whole point was that's not off script but rather exactly what the whole "silence is violence" is.
aeturnum 6y ago
So, to pivot back to my tent revival example: religions often have practices that turn off outsiders, but they often simultaneously are seeking to convert those outsiders. It's a balance! I would say that "If you are not doing something to prevent racism, then you are guilty of being racist" is a message aimed squarely at those who already believe. It's urging people to do more to support the movement. It makes me think of "All people are sinners except those saved by Jesus Christ." Both in that it's somewhat alienating to outsiders and that the people making the statements are quite serious about them! Activists know this! They know that it would be better for recruitment to have a purely positive message to give people. That's just not where the movement is right now.
- moon4u 6y ago
  I don't think that you are correct. Well... maybe they do know it and are opting for an alternative approach, because guilt-tripping seems like a fairly common tactic, especially in the aforementioned activists.

by moon4u 6y ago

SpicyLemonZest 6y ago

I think there's a distinction in terminology here. "Activist" generally (among people I talk to at least!) refers to activist organizers, who mostly agree that stunts like this are both bad and strategically unhelpful. Unfortunately, it's in the nature of community organizing that sometimes the community goes off script.

tick_tock_tick 6y ago
There whole point was that's not off script but rather exactly what the whole "silence is violence" is.

aeturnum 6y ago

So, to pivot back to my tent revival example: religions often have practices that turn off outsiders, but they often simultaneously are seeking to convert those outsiders. It's a balance! I would say that "If you are not doing something to prevent racism, then you are guilty of being racist" is a message aimed squarely at those who already believe. It's urging people to do more to support the movement. It makes me think of "All people are sinners except those saved by Jesus Christ." Both in that it's somewhat alienating to outsiders and that the people making the statements are quite serious about them! Activists know this! They know that it would be better for recruitment to have a purely positive message to give people. That's just not where the movement is right now.

moon4u 6y ago
I don't think that you are correct. Well... maybe they do know it and are opting for an alternative approach, because guilt-tripping seems like a fairly common tactic, especially in the aforementioned activists.