Chapter 8, \u201cWhen Everyone Protests,\u201d is way to start thinking about both sides of a protest and movement-countermovement dynamics.\u00a0 I thought Lucie did an excellent job of giving an overview of Myer\u2019s points, so I won\u2019t re-state those.\u00a0 Among other specifics in the chapter, such as getting the attention of people with political power, I was most interested in Meyer\u2019s take on the importance of professional organizers in movements. Especially as we being to think about countermovements and the necessity of responding to the \u201cother side,\u201d professional organizers might be vital to the success and impact of a protest.\u00a0 As Lucie mentioned in her post, activists must put energy into their own movement, but also engage with the countermovements and publicize rebuttals.<\/p>\n
Meyer first introduces professional organizers in Chapter 3, Becoming an Activist. There, he gives a good background about who becomes an activist, and the different types of activists that exist. Specifically, Meyer notes that\u00a0 \u201cmovement professionals\u201d are people who support themselves through organizing and political efforts. \u00a0These people do not just view the movement as a hobby, but as a lifestyle; there is always something to do that could be advancing the cause within the movement. Meyer says that movement professionals \u201cdevelop a stronger vested interest in the survival and well-being of their organizations than will the rank and file activist\u201d (55).<\/p>\n
As we think more about countermovements, it\u2019s good to acknowledge all the work that goes into managing the movement\u2019s own message as well as incorporating responses to media coverage of the countermovement. Considering the bigger picture, Meyer points out that movements have become more complicated in general: \u201cWhereas protest was the province of those without other means to make political claims effectively, it is now an add-on or component of the political strategy of an increasingly broad range of groups\u201d (159).\u00a0 Today, instead of all attention going into the protest, there are not a lot more considerations, such as current policy, lobbying, outreach campaigns to other organizations, e-mail and telephone communication, applying for police permits and posting bail.<\/p>\n
Here are some questions I\u2019ve had. What do you think?:<\/p>\n
-Caitlin Manak<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Chapter 8, \u201cWhen Everyone Protests,\u201d is way to start thinking about both sides of a protest and movement-countermovement dynamics.\u00a0 I thought Lucie did an excellent job of giving an overview of Myer\u2019s points, so I won\u2019t re-state those.\u00a0 Among other … Continue reading