Words to Ponder

by Marissa Bracke

We spend a lot of time focusing on the “micro” of what we do, which is natural. We’re creating Actions for each Checklist, and each Action needs to be specific, practical, and doable by the average person.

But we also influence something much larger: the “social context” in which those Actions take place. That’s a lot harder to measure. There’s no button to click that says, “Yes, the social context shifted today because of the combined efforts of people like you.” (And even if there were, who exactly would we appoint to determine when to click it?)

We are diligent about tracking the micro, as much as we’re able. And we should celebrate the heck out of those wins. And we should keep ourselves attuned to what exists beyond the metrics. Beyond the click boxes. To that which is stirring, rising, and gaining traction in ways often felt long before they can be accurately quantified.

Because it’s not all weariness, fatigue, or even fear. It’s also people coming out the other side with new capacity, starting to unfurl from frozen overwhelm into curious engagement.

That’s the larger landscape we’re helping shape. There is life and potential there. It’s dynamic. And you’re part of its energy, momentum, and most certainly its heart.

We work in the micro, and we move the macro.

Never forget how powerful you are. Never doubt the role you play. Rock on, you magnificent changemakers.

Here are two quotes that support this micro-macro vision:

Campaigning that focuses directly on politicians is inefficient, it should be more about the social context they’re in – don’t change the direction of one or two fish, change the direction of the current.

We as social movement players have to be careful about our yardsticks. A lot of the time when we’re talking about politicians, it’s about do we get the legislation we want or not; do we get a bill introduced or not; do we get the bill passed or not; and all of those are a politician’s yardsticks. It’s dangerous for us to align ourselves with those yardsticks in terms of identifying whether or not our movement is winning. At the end of the day I think we can sneak bills through from time to time, but if we build the social context they move much more quickly.

—Daniel Hunter, Activist Educator

The big benefit in organizing as an approach to change is that it transforms the power landscape. People move from thinking that all the power is with the politicians, to realizing that they can create power.

—Anita Tang, Community Organizing Director

To our power,

Marissa Bracke
AoCC Admin Support and Can-Do-Ologist