conference

I just got home from the American Dream Conference, and I have been pondering the role of meta-brands as vehicles of change for our movement, but specifically for young people and people of color.

I have been thinking about the examples laid out by Van at the conference, assessing our conversation about #occupywallstreet, analyzing our historical struggles in America, and even trying to refresh my memory about international movements for change.

I know that during the most recent progressive meta-movement that Van laid out, the 2008 Obama Campaign, young people and people of color were often the ground troops and swing votes that put the campaign over the top, but will likely be the last groups to truly benefit from the fruits of this struggle. In fact, I was recently told by a White House staffer that no one in DC fears youth orgs or the black grassroots, even though the turnout numbers in 2008 indicate that these important constituencies are indomitable forces. Not surprisingly, these groups suffer from breath taking unemployment and unprecedented debt.

I think there are a number of reasons that meta-brands might not allow youth groups and people of color to really win, win (substantive socio-economic change and policy wins). For example, building a meta brand on top of or behind the existing progressive infrastructures may unite an existing movement with talking points and branding materials, but it does very little to address the contradictions that exist inside of our campaigns, expand the tent or give new efforts a seat at the table. Although Van asked us not to critique him for his Power Point slide that laid out the current motive forces in the progressive movement, I was pretty perplexed that there wasn’t any recognition of youth groups in the presentation. (Although, there were a number of youth groups, including ours, that were invited to the stage.) Yet, the #occupywallstreet movement, which was often mentioned at this week’s conference, is clearly a youth driven effort. Even our own current movement’s infrastructure and leadership was first developed during the Civil Rights era when many of today’s strongest progressive heroes and sheroes cut their teeth as youth organizers.

And during the Civil Rights Movement, after years of being a leader of a meta-brand (although I am sure he wouldn’t have described it as such), Martin Luther King Jr. sought to take his organizing deeper and helped develop the Poor People’s Campaign, an effort to meet the specific needs of a certain constituency. While he enlisted the support of his many allies, he realized that the movement’s prior efforts to win for poor people were incomplete without a laser focused effort to end poverty. A meta-brand may have set that movement up for a big victory, but he recognized the deeper organizing was the winning strategy.

At the end of the day, meta-brands and movements may allow us to do a lot of important things like building economies of scale, uniting us under common communication points and even reinvigorating our current campaigns. So I don’t think it is wise to throw the baby out with the bath water. But my first instinct is to think that they are best used during election cycles, and that they don’t go deep enough to bring about the deep seated change that is necessary for people at the bottom. This doesn’t mean we should abandon the American Dream Movement, or any meta-brand that percolates to the forefront, including the #occupy brand. But it does mean that as leaders we should intentionally tackle the obstacles head on, and acknowledge them as we build our movements. If we don’t, we are bound to repeat the mistakes of the past.

I appreciate any response and critique of my assessment. I am struggling with this, and don’t want to blow up our causes, only make them better…and I acknowledge my analysis could be off.

Peace and love,

biko

The 6th Annual Campus Progress National Conference is coming up on July 7 and 8 in Washington, DC. The two-day will be attended by more than 1,200 young people from across the country.

Day 1 - Wednesday, July 7: See inspiring speeches, panels, performances, and take part in interactive discussions.

Day 2 - Thursday, July 8: Learn how to make your voice heard in your community and in the media and have the opportunity to engage Senate offices on issues that matter to you.

Space at the conference is limited, as are travel and housing scholarships, so you should apply as soon as possible if you are interested.

You can apply online at the Campus Progress website.

Last year, Demos sponsored an excellent conference - A Better Deal - on revitalizing the American economy to meet the needs of young people. I was a panelist at the conference, and you can read my coverage of it here.

The need for a better deal for young Americans is more necessary than ever, and Demos is getting ready to hold the second annual Better Deal conference in October. Details are below, you can register here (for free). There are some travel scholarships available for those outside the DC area.

Bumped from the user blogs. --Mike

Crossposted at the Great Orange Satan

Hey All. I'm a Fellow at the Roosevelt Institution this summer, and I have a question for you:

What are you up to this July 11th? Still recovering from crazy 4th of July parties? Feverishly packing for Netroots Nation? Trying to whip Democratic Senators into shape vis-a-vis FISA?

I have an idea that's way more fun.

That's right. Presenting - The Roosevelt Institution National Expo, Reclaiming the Stuff of Politics.

(If you're a young progressive) be there. Or be rectangular.

Friday July 11, 2008
AED Conference Center
1825 Connecticut Ave, NW, 8th floor
Washington D.C.