When trying to address an issue and make it known to the world, one has to do all that they can in order to bring light to the situation. We have to try and think about every single part of ourselves we can contribute to this "protest". I feel like a part of us that we sometimes forget about is our bodies- the capabilities of our bodies and how much it can be used effectively in times like these. This is why my principle, Tactic and Theory all have something to do with the physical body.
Principles:
Don't Dress Like a Protestor
When one thinks about a protest or a march there are some signifiers that come to mind. Large signs, huddled masses, a lot of yelling. Although protests are a great way to get our voices heard, it has become such a commonality. So much so that if you look at pictures of protests from different time periods and different issues they all basically look the same. (Examples Below- I have more pictures but it takes up too much space) You can't tell the difference between these two unless you looked at the signs. But if all of them where wearing the same clothes and had a uniform- a person would take a second look. If your walking in front of the white house and fifty people in suits are just standing in front you will pay more attention to them rather then people with regular clothes. Always strive to do something different- thats what gets peoples attention. They love to be entertained.
Tactic:
Blockade
Another way we can use our physical bodies for a protest is a blockade. A blockade does more then just look like a protest- it sends a message. It can stop traffic, stop people from going to work, from reaching their destination..and by doing this it is involving so many more people then a normal protest would because now its tapping into peoples personal lives and them just trying to get about their day. If you where trying to get to work and a huddled mass of people where just standing silent on the road not moving you would take a second to figure out whats going on and by the time you've done that you have found out about the cause. This tactic not only informs but its also sends a message of "we are here and until you fix this we are not going anywhere".
Theory:
Action logic
I feel this is the most important one. I remember the discussion Lauren, Joseph and I where having with the quote on the wall and how we where talking about action and hope. Joseph and I agreed that it is good to have hope because it is what drives us but without action and physical action (not just mental) nothing would get done. I am a firm believer that in order to achieve your hopes you have to get up and make it happen. But when you actually do it, you have to make it clear. This is where action logic comes into play. A person I would like to use as an example that I feel really sums it up nicely is Rosa Parks. She is someone who wasn't intentionally protesting but by sitting in the back of the bus her intentions in the form of a protest where clear. One can easily say that she was protesting equal rights. It was very clear and it was very effective. When protesting one needs to keep in mind that there needs to be clarity and one can easily do that with action logic. Just as Beautiful Troubles says "For example, people doing a tree-sit so the forest cannot be cut down — the logic is clear and obvious. The action speaks for itself" .
Principles:
Don't Dress Like a Protestor
When one thinks about a protest or a march there are some signifiers that come to mind. Large signs, huddled masses, a lot of yelling. Although protests are a great way to get our voices heard, it has become such a commonality. So much so that if you look at pictures of protests from different time periods and different issues they all basically look the same. (Examples Below- I have more pictures but it takes up too much space) You can't tell the difference between these two unless you looked at the signs. But if all of them where wearing the same clothes and had a uniform- a person would take a second look. If your walking in front of the white house and fifty people in suits are just standing in front you will pay more attention to them rather then people with regular clothes. Always strive to do something different- thats what gets peoples attention. They love to be entertained.
Blockade
Another way we can use our physical bodies for a protest is a blockade. A blockade does more then just look like a protest- it sends a message. It can stop traffic, stop people from going to work, from reaching their destination..and by doing this it is involving so many more people then a normal protest would because now its tapping into peoples personal lives and them just trying to get about their day. If you where trying to get to work and a huddled mass of people where just standing silent on the road not moving you would take a second to figure out whats going on and by the time you've done that you have found out about the cause. This tactic not only informs but its also sends a message of "we are here and until you fix this we are not going anywhere".
Theory:
Action logic
I feel this is the most important one. I remember the discussion Lauren, Joseph and I where having with the quote on the wall and how we where talking about action and hope. Joseph and I agreed that it is good to have hope because it is what drives us but without action and physical action (not just mental) nothing would get done. I am a firm believer that in order to achieve your hopes you have to get up and make it happen. But when you actually do it, you have to make it clear. This is where action logic comes into play. A person I would like to use as an example that I feel really sums it up nicely is Rosa Parks. She is someone who wasn't intentionally protesting but by sitting in the back of the bus her intentions in the form of a protest where clear. One can easily say that she was protesting equal rights. It was very clear and it was very effective. When protesting one needs to keep in mind that there needs to be clarity and one can easily do that with action logic. Just as Beautiful Troubles says "For example, people doing a tree-sit so the forest cannot be cut down — the logic is clear and obvious. The action speaks for itself" .
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