Don't Agonize, ORGANIZE!

 Some Words of Hope by Onyango Oloo

Enough I say.

Enough of the wailing and whining; the screaming and moaning.

End of the hand wringing and foot stomping.

Enough!

Enough of the fulminations and vituperations.

Enough of the shaking of fists and gnashing of teeth.

But I am not saying it is time to move on.

Move on from what to what?

Actually it is time we stayed put.

It time we held even more tenaciously to our core beliefs.

Our convictions about justice, about democracy, about the truth.

We must stand tall in fighting for equality and equity; stand firm in demanding an end to impunity and duplicity.

OK.

The elections are over.

We have new ward representatives, senators and governors in each of our 47 counties.

We have women representatives from each of our counties sitting in the National Assembly.

We are swearing in the fourth president and his deputy.

Soon, that president will have a cabinet appointed for the first time, from outside parliament.

Soon, we will have cabinet secretaries taking over from the old permanent secretaries.

We have an economy to build; a nation to unite; we have a constitution to implement.

And we are on the verge of doing this when on the surface it would appear that all hope is lost, all victories reversed.

But I have never felt more hopeful.

I have never felt more optimistic.

I think I am the one who invented the phrase, “cynicism is a luxury we can ill afford.”

 I will shortly check with Google to verify if this is the case, but right now I feel I own those words, because that is my credo.

As a poet I get my sustenance from other poets, other spoken word artists, the ones who are progressive; the militant ones, the ones who breathe, drink, eat and sleep revolution.

They inspire me. 

They make me spring up when I have stumbled.

Poets like the late South African activist Dennis Brutus who talked of “stubborn hope.”

Poets like the Vietnamese national liberation hero and revolutionary Ho Chi Minh who gave the following advice to himself:

Without the cold and bleakness of winter

The warmth and splendour could never be

Misfortune has steeled and tempered me

And strengthened my resolve even further.

(From his Prison Diary, composed when he was incarcerated by the fascist regime in China at that time between 29 August 1942 and 10 September 1943. He was arrested by the Chinese authorities when he was trying to cross the border from Vietnam to China secretly in the course of his clandestine organizing for his country’s liberation. I picked the yellow covered little booklet in Hanoi when I was in Vietnam in September 2007 for a solidarity meeting bringing together activists from Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America).

I am thinking of Langston Hughes, the African-American icon of the Harlem Renaissance:

What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up

Like a raisin in the sun?

Or fester like a sore--

And then run?

Does it stink like rotten meat?

Or crust and sugar over--

like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sags

like a heavy load.

And Chile’s great gift to the world Pablo Neruda’s lyricism still pulsates in my heart as he tells us about dictators:

An odor has remained among the sugarcane:

a mixture of blood and body, a penetrating

petal that brings nausea.

Between the coconut palms the graves are full

of ruined bones, of speechless death-rattles.

The delicate dictator is talking

with top hats, gold braid, and collars.

The tiny palace gleams like a watch

and the rapid laughs with gloves on

cross the corridors at times

and join the dead voices

and the blue mouths freshly buried.

The weeping cannot be seen, like a plant

whose seeds fall endlessly on the earth,

whose large blind leaves grow even without light.

Hatred has grown scale on scale,

blow on blow, in the ghastly water of the swamp,

with a snout full of ooze and silence

Even as the evergreen literary genius, the German born Bertolt Brecht underscores the theme of solidarity:

Peoples of the world, together

Join to serve the common cause!

So it feeds us all for ever

See to it that it's now yours.

Forward, without forgetting

Where our strength can be seen now to be!

When starving or when eating

Forward, not forgetting

Our solidarity!

Black or white or brown or yellow

Leave your old disputes behind.

Once start talking with your fellow

Men, you'll soon be of one mind.

Forward, without forgetting

Where our strength can be seen now to be!

When starving or when eating

Forward, not forgetting

Our solidarity!

If we want to make this certain

We'll need you and your support.

It's yourselves you'll be deserting

if you rat your own sort.

Forward, without forgetting

Where our strength can be seen now to be!

When starving or when eating

Forward, not forgetting

Our solidarity!

All the gang of those who rule us

Hope our quarrels never stop

Helping them to split and fool us

So they can remain on top.

Forward, without forgetting

Where our strength can be seen now to be!

When starving or when eating

Forward, not forgetting

Our solidarity!

Workers of the world, uniting

That’s the way to lose your chains.

Mighty regiments now are fighting

That no tyranny remains!

Forward, without forgetting

Till the concrete question is hurled

When starving or when eating:

Whose tomorrow is tomorrow?

And whose world is the world?

Closer to our time, we  all remember Tracy Chapman talking about a revolution in the late 1980s but who remembers her telling us that she was born to fight:

They're tryin' to take away my pride

By stripping me of everyhing I own

They're tryin' to hurt me inside

And make me into a white man's drone

But this one's not for sale

And I was born to fight

I ain't been knocked down yet

I was born to fight

I'm the surest bet

There ain't no man no woman

No beast alive that can beat me

'Cause I'm born to fight

They're tryin' to dig into my soul

And take away the spirit of my god

They're tryin' to take control

And monitor my every thought

I won't let down my guard

And I was born to fight

I ain't been knocked down yet

I was born to fight

I'm the surest bet

There ain't no man no woman

No beast alive that can beat me

'Cause I'm born to fight

Or Zap Mama (fronted by Congolese Belgian chanteuse Marie Daulne) singing about a New World:

I sat in my room

So dismal and blue

 Feeling that I can

Communicate with you

So I picked up my thoughts

 Picked up paper and pen

I know there are causes to defend

Now everybody stand up

Let’s spread these words

Around the neighborhood

Return to the source, all isn't lost

Now the world is changing

Beyond recognition

And it’s not too late

Don’t seal your fate

With radiation, with pollution

And all that confusion

It’s not too late

For making a new world

 It’s not too late

 For making a better world

 It’s not too late

  

 There, there, my fellow Kenyan.

Take this dry handkerchief.

I know those four hankies you have by your side are soaked through and through.

Seriously, we as progressive, patriotic and democratic minded Kenyans must chart the way forward.

And that starts with reflecting on  how we can rebuild our movements, how we can recharge our political batteries, how we can defend our democratic gains over the last twenty years.

Veteran US activist Bill Moyer teaches us:

Social movements are collective actions in which the populace is alerted, educated, and mobilized, over years and decades, to challenge the powerholders and the whole society to redress social problems or grievances and restore critical social values. By involving the populace directly in the political process, social movements also foster the concept of government of, by, and for the people. The power of movements is directly proportional to the forcefulness with which the grassroots exert their discontent and demand change.

The central issue of social movements, therefore, is the struggle between the movement  and the powerholders to win the hearts (sympathies), minds (public opinion), and active support of the great majority of the populace, which ultimately holds the power to either preserve the status quo or create change.

There needs to be a revival of democracy through “people power”. The increasingly centralized power of the state and other social institutions, combined with the new use of the mass media to carry out the political process, has all but eliminated effective citizen participation in the decision-making process. Centralized powerholders now make decisions in the interests of a small minority, while simultaneously undermining the common good and aggravating critical social problems.

But people are powerful. Power ultimately resides with the populace. History is full of examples of an inspired citizenry involved in social movements that achieve social and political changes—even topple tyrannical governments. Powerholders know this. They know that their power depends on the support or acquiescence of the mass population.

Nonviolent social movements are a powerful means for preserving democracy and making societies address critical social problems. They enable citizens to challenge the prevailing centers of power and become active in society's decision-making process, especially at times when the normal channels for their political participation are ineffective. Social movements mobilize citizens and public opinion to challenge powerholders and the whole society to adhere to universal values and sensibilities and redress social problems. At their best, they create an empowered citizenry, shifting the locus of social and political power from central elites and institutions to new grassroots networks and groups.

-From THE MOVEMENT ACTION PLAN: A Strategic Framework Describing The Eight Stages of Successful Social Movements  by Bill Moyer, Spring 1987

But he goes on to caution:

The lack of a practical analytic model which describes the long process normally taken by successful social movements disempowers activists and limits the effectiveness of their movements. Without the guiding framework that explains the step-by-step process that social movements go through, many activists are unable to identify successes already achieved, set long and short term goals, confidently develop strategies, tactics, and programs, and avoid common pitfalls.

Many experienced activists are “take-off junkies”. They know how to create new social movements, but they do not know how to wage long-term movements that progress through a series of successive stages and win actual positive change. Within two years after “take-off”, most activists inevitably perceive that their movement is failing, and their own efforts are futile. This leads to burnout, dropout, and the dissipation of movements. 

Astoundingly, this happens even when social movements are progressing reasonably well along the road normally taken by successful social movements in the past! Consequently, many activists keep repeating the cycle of “take-off” to “despair and burnout” with each succeeding new movement… Most social problems need to be resolved through changes in policies and structures at the national level. But the national power of social movements comes from the strength of its local groups; national social movements are only as powerful as their grassroots, yet grassroots groups often are unable to make a connection between their own efforts and what happens at the national and international level. It all seems too distant and unconnected. 

-Ibid.

The only strength the Kenyan people in confronting the elite forces of the powers that be is ORGANIZATION.

There is enough congealed, accumulated experienced amidst and across the much derided Kenyan Left and of course a lot of resources available all over the place.

Today I just want to give you a  small sneak into what is possible.

In building or rebuilding our various movements I found a document I came across on the internet very  useful. It  is from the Institute  Sustainable Communities and it is entitled Leadership Roles Within an Advocacy Organization. 

Here it is :

Ideally, a movement must have a plurality of leaders, filling a cabinet of distinct, yet complementary, leadership roles.  By utilizing a diverse cabinet of leaders, a movement develops a powerful dynamic that strengthens and emboldens, bringing the movement closer to optimum gains and successes.

The current version of the leadership taxonomy includes Visionaries, Strategists, Statespersons, Experts, Outside Sparkplugs, Inside Advocates, Strategic Communicators, Movement Builders, Generalists, Historians, and Cultural Activists.

Leaders who make up the leadership taxonomy each bring to the movements they serve a special skill set.  Visionaries raise our view of the possible.  Strategists chart the vision and achieve what’s attainable.  Statespersons elevate the cause in the minds of both the public and decision-makers.  Experts wield knowledge to back up the movement's positions.  Outside Sparkplugs goad and energize, fiercely holding those in power to account.  Inside Advocates understand how to turn power structures and established rules and procedures to advantage.  Strategic Communicators deploy the rhetoric to intensify and direct public passion toward the movement’s objectives.  Movement Builders generate optimism and good will, infecting others with dedication to the common good.  Generalists anchor a movement, grounded in years of experience.  Historians uphold a movement’s memory, collecting and conveying its stories.  Cultural Activists pair movements with powerful cultural forces.  The happy confluence of each of these leadership roles is the hallmark of a successful movement. 

• Visionaries.  Movements take flight through visionaries.  Visionaries lift the horizons of others, setting goals that have never before been imagined or seen as realistic.  Visionaries challenge the conventional view of the possible, aim high, take risks, and rethink priorities.

• Strategists.  Strategists sort out that part of the vision that is realistically attainable, and develop a road map to get there.  Strategists anticipate obstacles, including those laid by unruly coalition members, and provide guidance to insure that the movement remains headed in the right direction. 

• Statespersons.  Statespersons carry the movement flag.  They are the “larger than life” public figures that embody authority and trust.  Statespersons radiate credibility for the movement far beyond its core supporters.

• Experts.  Experts ensure that all new discoveries and public policy positions are well reasoned and grounded in facts.  They possess special skills and knowledge that lend credibility to and back up the positions.

• Outside Sparkplugs.  Sparkplugs are agitators:  unabashed tellers of truth to power.  They operate outside of conventional, political (or other) establishments, free of the ties that bind “inside” players, and capable of holding our governments and other established organizations up to their own rhetoric of mission and commitment.  Sparkplugs can kick-start a movement or coalition and keep energy flowing through it.  A community may be concerned, even outraged, but it may not be moved to action without a fiery goad.  Sparkplugs are often irritating and difficult, but they churn up our collective conscience and annoy us into action.

• Inside Advocates.  Inside Advocates are wise in the ways of the political process, they are skilled negotiators, and positioned to influence key policy makers.  Inside Advocates occupy seats of power or establish an open door to them, intuit the approaches and arguments that resonate with policy makers, and press them in ways that are not easily dismissed.  

• Strategic Communicators.  Strategic Communicators are public teachers, masters of the “sound bite” as the concentrated encapsulation of potent messages.  They translate complex scientific data, complex public policy, and basic concepts of truth and justice into accurate, powerful metaphorical messages, the significance of which can be instantly grasped by the broad public. 

• Movement Builders.   The quiet heroes of any successful movement, Movement Builders reach out to draw in new allies; they recruit new activists and make them feel welcome, valued, and heeded.  They do the same for longtime movement members as well.  They know that a movement is weakest when it shuns diversity and seeks only a narrow, homogeneous base.  Builders bridge generations, link local with national, even international advocacy, create space for the knowledge gained through experience to be passed on, and initiate new approaches to participation so diverse voices are heard and their demands heeded. Builders also heal.  They circumvent organizational turf hurdles, they convene and facilitate, seek to explore differences through civil discourse and debate, and eschew rancorous division.

• Generalists.  Generalists bring multi-layered skills to the effort, often cultivated through many years of experience.  They see a movement’s activities from many sides, and can turn their hand to many tasks.  Generalists model and live out the ideals of a movement, integrating them into their day-to-day perspective.

• Historians.  Historians are keepers of the movement’s memory, bringing to bear the learning of past experience.  They recount the history of relationships with partners and key players, as well as the history and evolution of the issue itself over time.  They ensure that activists benefit from the hard-won lessons of those who came before them.  Historians provide activists with a sense of their legacy, an honor of and obligation to the past, which renews the call for continued action in the present, and the hope of leaving a new generation of lessons and accomplishments for the future.  They are the teachers, torchbearers, and conscience for a movement.

• Cultural Activists.  Cultural Activists use cultural preservation, history, and activism to sustain movements.  They are public opinion leaders, trusted insider figures whom members of a cultural community tend to believe and follow.  They build bridges between the movement’s actions and powerful cultural meaning, interpreting back and forth between them in a way that strengthens both.

I hope that I have helped provide a small pointer as to the way forward.

Stay tuned for more…

Onyango Oloo

Nairobi, Kenya

Monday April 8, 2013

12: 17 am East African Time