Last year here in New York City, folks on parent councils who advocated for Palestine were smeared terribly and in some cases “disciplined” and threatened. Twice I went to online meetings and shared against the lies. You don’t need to sign up or anything, just raise your hand. I have “standing” as a formerly-Zionist, Jewish son of a refugee from N@zi Germany. I spoke in defense of the people who were being falsely accused. In the end, nothing we are doing has been “effective” in terms of shifting public opinion or, more importantly, stopping the massacre, but I know from speaking with people that small acts of solidarity and visible shows of support like wearing a keffiyeh actually do make them feel less alone and less gaslit. I’ve also learned that friends who don’t feel they have a “right” to a strong opinion because they are not Jewish or as familiar with the history have more confidence in what their eyes are telling them because of my example.
Speaking up is great, but the number one thing is to run for school boards. The right is funding so many conservative candidates that most times don't even have a child in the district or skin in the game. All in an attempt to bring public schools down. Get involved and run for the board. That's where you can really make change.
I have spoken a few times at a school board meeting in California. One of the school districts here long had school dress code that was not only sexist but also prohibited expressions of culture important to students. My suggestions is to always have a hard copy of the point you want to make and to leave it with the board for them to reference later. Our letter included information on: 1) why the policy was a violation of federal laws; 2) how other school districts changes their policies to not only comply with the law but also to support student success. We also distributed the letter to various groups and people. Our goal was less about changing the hearts and minds of the elected members; instead, we foces on giving them language and rationales about why they were mandated to change their own policy.
I apologize in advance for the length of this comment.
Former local elected official here (council member and mayor). I love this question and especially loved this section of The Message. Speaking up is hard, and as one commenter below shared, they had the "good fortune" of having others there as support and additional voices. A few notes I'd offer for folks in communities where there's at least one person on your "side". I'm always happy to go into more detail on any of this!
1. Most local bodies have a process by which things appear on the agenda. There's usually a first reading or discussion at one meeting followed by a second reading or action on an agenda at a later date. As best you can, you want to get your comments in at the first reading/discussion. This is when those who may not be as firm in their decision are most swayed, and they still have an easier route to modify the motion/text of proposed legislation.
2. Local news, especially print, is scarce. So you'd have to get the story TO them. If there's a journalist who tends to do local coverage in a fair/unbiased way, send them the heads up about an agenda item and/or that there's discord mounting.
3. Contact the most favorable representative and ask them what they need to get their colleagues on board and/or give them cover. If they have a mailing list (most do) ask them for the contact info of a few people who they feel would be good local champions. You may know them already, but at least you can organize with someone vs. alone. Aim to schedule your comments together on the same day.
4. If you think the measure is going to pass, identify what specifically could be changed to do the least harm. (That is, if the measure isn't outright inhumane to begin with. Some things you can't compromise.) Focus the majority of your time in public comment on those changes.
5. When the issue is big and there are a lot of various angles, identify the number of points you need to make and get at least that same number of commenters to go with you. Each person should use their full time to speak to that point in detail.
6. When speaking, in addition to saying your name, say which ward or district you live in and if you own a business that is in a different district say that district to and say your representative's name. Example, "My name is Anne, I have lived in district 2 for 25 years, and I vote in every election." Make sure they hear that you are a voter in *their* district.
I've spoken multiple times at our rural Kentucky school board meetings: against a Trump slogan at the high school football game, for teachers who could not speak for themselves (during which the deputy providing security almost removed me for speaking over my time limit), against the right wing mob that showed up one night re: LGBTQ, etc... Speaking at meetings like this in small (politically red) towns is terrifying, but you just have to keep on. When I read Coates's book -- which I loved -- I considered the good fortune they had of the crowd who showed up to support the teacher and his book. I have never seen that happen. Coates did not speak at the meeting, but did the teacher tell others he was coming?
We had that and as a group of teachers we showed up to voice our opinions. They still keep coming after our librarian and she shows them what the library is about. It has been a long road because two board members could not compromise. But we as a group came prepared with data and research we had done.
I showed up at a pro-gun demonstration in Salt Lake City, as an anti-gun protester who had been randomly shot at. I wore a dress, and had a big sign. I had numerous conversations with people, mostly guys, about the lies about what people supporting better gun control laws want. Like others I was countering lies, but in this case, with conversations.
PS, I was the only anti gun protester and I was at the front of the pro gun demonstration. Sometimes, running to the front, and being able to hold your place there, pays off.
I have not. But I should. I teach overseas now and can't for the most part, but I could raise my voice somehow, surely, follow these meetings in my Florida hometown and badger them with emails or phonecalls or something.
I once spoke concerning traffic to a school where a private citizen on a parallel street had installed a gate. I spoke second for removing the gate siting safety concerns about the number of roads available. Well the next 30 people were against me...those who couldn't speak signed up and gave their time to the final speaker who was the doctor who owned the gate. About two months later I had surgery on my shoulder and guess who my anesthesiologist was! About six months later a school bus went into ditch and blocked the street for a good 3 hours.
Here in "blue" Vermont our city could not pass school budgets after changing our racist mascot name. We found it only took a few people with the time to organize: form a PAC (supporters will seek you out to donate), order signs, postcards, create the sign-up genius for needed tasks. With these few people making the plans, others will sign up for the tasks they have time for and donate money to support. We formed a group in which people would sign up to cover school board meetings and take notes. When something major was going to be voted on, we put the word out to show up and gave talking points (if people needed them). We were lucky to have local experts on equity policies and were able to provide comments on a proposed policy that were implemented. We also supported candidates for the school board as many people here have commented as so important. At the school board level, we felt (mostly) heard and that we made some impact. Attempts to encourage the administration to address issues in an appropriate manner felt like screaming into a void. Bottom line is with a few organizers, other people will show up.
Your choice by rightsprotected from being totally Insanely as ones selfish belief they have rights to steal from any targeting people because they want to open a platform of profitability
Last year here in New York City, folks on parent councils who advocated for Palestine were smeared terribly and in some cases “disciplined” and threatened. Twice I went to online meetings and shared against the lies. You don’t need to sign up or anything, just raise your hand. I have “standing” as a formerly-Zionist, Jewish son of a refugee from N@zi Germany. I spoke in defense of the people who were being falsely accused. In the end, nothing we are doing has been “effective” in terms of shifting public opinion or, more importantly, stopping the massacre, but I know from speaking with people that small acts of solidarity and visible shows of support like wearing a keffiyeh actually do make them feel less alone and less gaslit. I’ve also learned that friends who don’t feel they have a “right” to a strong opinion because they are not Jewish or as familiar with the history have more confidence in what their eyes are telling them because of my example.
Thank you, Michael!
Speaking up is great, but the number one thing is to run for school boards. The right is funding so many conservative candidates that most times don't even have a child in the district or skin in the game. All in an attempt to bring public schools down. Get involved and run for the board. That's where you can really make change.
I have spoken a few times at a school board meeting in California. One of the school districts here long had school dress code that was not only sexist but also prohibited expressions of culture important to students. My suggestions is to always have a hard copy of the point you want to make and to leave it with the board for them to reference later. Our letter included information on: 1) why the policy was a violation of federal laws; 2) how other school districts changes their policies to not only comply with the law but also to support student success. We also distributed the letter to various groups and people. Our goal was less about changing the hearts and minds of the elected members; instead, we foces on giving them language and rationales about why they were mandated to change their own policy.
I apologize in advance for the length of this comment.
Former local elected official here (council member and mayor). I love this question and especially loved this section of The Message. Speaking up is hard, and as one commenter below shared, they had the "good fortune" of having others there as support and additional voices. A few notes I'd offer for folks in communities where there's at least one person on your "side". I'm always happy to go into more detail on any of this!
1. Most local bodies have a process by which things appear on the agenda. There's usually a first reading or discussion at one meeting followed by a second reading or action on an agenda at a later date. As best you can, you want to get your comments in at the first reading/discussion. This is when those who may not be as firm in their decision are most swayed, and they still have an easier route to modify the motion/text of proposed legislation.
2. Local news, especially print, is scarce. So you'd have to get the story TO them. If there's a journalist who tends to do local coverage in a fair/unbiased way, send them the heads up about an agenda item and/or that there's discord mounting.
3. Contact the most favorable representative and ask them what they need to get their colleagues on board and/or give them cover. If they have a mailing list (most do) ask them for the contact info of a few people who they feel would be good local champions. You may know them already, but at least you can organize with someone vs. alone. Aim to schedule your comments together on the same day.
4. If you think the measure is going to pass, identify what specifically could be changed to do the least harm. (That is, if the measure isn't outright inhumane to begin with. Some things you can't compromise.) Focus the majority of your time in public comment on those changes.
5. When the issue is big and there are a lot of various angles, identify the number of points you need to make and get at least that same number of commenters to go with you. Each person should use their full time to speak to that point in detail.
6. When speaking, in addition to saying your name, say which ward or district you live in and if you own a business that is in a different district say that district to and say your representative's name. Example, "My name is Anne, I have lived in district 2 for 25 years, and I vote in every election." Make sure they hear that you are a voter in *their* district.
These are really useful tips. Thanks so much for your comment.
These are great- thank you!
I've spoken multiple times at our rural Kentucky school board meetings: against a Trump slogan at the high school football game, for teachers who could not speak for themselves (during which the deputy providing security almost removed me for speaking over my time limit), against the right wing mob that showed up one night re: LGBTQ, etc... Speaking at meetings like this in small (politically red) towns is terrifying, but you just have to keep on. When I read Coates's book -- which I loved -- I considered the good fortune they had of the crowd who showed up to support the teacher and his book. I have never seen that happen. Coates did not speak at the meeting, but did the teacher tell others he was coming?
"That Librarian," a memoir by Amanda Jones. She spoke up and received death threats the next day. They didn't shut her up. https://viewpointsradio.org/criminalizing-librarians-a-louisiana-librarians-fight-against-book-banning/
We had that and as a group of teachers we showed up to voice our opinions. They still keep coming after our librarian and she shows them what the library is about. It has been a long road because two board members could not compromise. But we as a group came prepared with data and research we had done.
I showed up at a pro-gun demonstration in Salt Lake City, as an anti-gun protester who had been randomly shot at. I wore a dress, and had a big sign. I had numerous conversations with people, mostly guys, about the lies about what people supporting better gun control laws want. Like others I was countering lies, but in this case, with conversations.
PS, I was the only anti gun protester and I was at the front of the pro gun demonstration. Sometimes, running to the front, and being able to hold your place there, pays off.
I have not. But I should. I teach overseas now and can't for the most part, but I could raise my voice somehow, surely, follow these meetings in my Florida hometown and badger them with emails or phonecalls or something.
I once spoke concerning traffic to a school where a private citizen on a parallel street had installed a gate. I spoke second for removing the gate siting safety concerns about the number of roads available. Well the next 30 people were against me...those who couldn't speak signed up and gave their time to the final speaker who was the doctor who owned the gate. About two months later I had surgery on my shoulder and guess who my anesthesiologist was! About six months later a school bus went into ditch and blocked the street for a good 3 hours.
you have to read my colleague, Angie Carter’s piece, What’s at Stake in Iowas Attack on Libraries
https://www.agarts.org/whats-at-stake-in-iowas-attack-on-libraries-by-angie-carter/
Here in "blue" Vermont our city could not pass school budgets after changing our racist mascot name. We found it only took a few people with the time to organize: form a PAC (supporters will seek you out to donate), order signs, postcards, create the sign-up genius for needed tasks. With these few people making the plans, others will sign up for the tasks they have time for and donate money to support. We formed a group in which people would sign up to cover school board meetings and take notes. When something major was going to be voted on, we put the word out to show up and gave talking points (if people needed them). We were lucky to have local experts on equity policies and were able to provide comments on a proposed policy that were implemented. We also supported candidates for the school board as many people here have commented as so important. At the school board level, we felt (mostly) heard and that we made some impact. Attempts to encourage the administration to address issues in an appropriate manner felt like screaming into a void. Bottom line is with a few organizers, other people will show up.
Your choice by rightsprotected from being totally Insanely as ones selfish belief they have rights to steal from any targeting people because they want to open a platform of profitability