January 26, 2006: Guess Who's Demonstrating Now--and Why?
Why should anyone ever participate in a political demonstration? I can think of at least six reasons, which I list in no particular order of importance:
1. To express moral indignation against injustices that exist in one's own country and around the world.
2. To indicate both to those in positions of power and to the larger society the extent of popular opposition to these injustices.
3. To express solidarity with oppressed groups in struggle.
4. To express individual and collective creativity through such forms as art, music, theater, and dance.
5. To bring about the immediate amelioration of a grievance or the fulfillment of a demand, e.g., through direct pressure placed on an employer, landlord, or governmental agency.
6. To constitute through collective action a brief glimpse of a more just country and world.
Comments
While I totally agree, I think it's worth distinguishing between two objects. First, why do individuals choose to demonstrate; second, why is any particular demonstration worth doing. IMO those are distinct questions, each worth working on.
Posted by: Mark Phillips | January 27, 2006 11:13 AM
Yes, an important distinction. A person could certainly want to do something, anything to bring about political change; but his or her heartfelt desire is no guarantee that the means selected will prove to be effective. In addition, I tend to think that purely expressive demonstrations are generally less effective than ones that try to achieve immediate goals through a direct challenge to institutional power (sit-downs, walk-outs, strikes...).
Posted by: Ted | January 27, 2006 11:52 AM