...it's the phrase "leaders in the progressive movement" used to describe anyone who takes activism reasonably seriously. We've dumbed down the term 'leader' so much since we fetishize it on college apps these days, that it's become like the term 'winner', where "everybody's a leader/winner" at the end of the day.
True 'leaders in the progressive movement' are people like George Soros, Al Gore, or, for that matter, John Podesta. People who can get someone who actually *matters* to take their calls. (And yes, I can already hear your retort of "B-but, this is a people powered movement and so Everybody Matters!" from here.)
This reminds me of the same logic underlying the absolutely pathetic protests against the war in this country. You want your protests to be about five times as effective? Get every single person in the crowd to WEAR A FUCKING SUIT AND TIE. When MLK Jr. marched on Washington, people wore their Sunday best, and it shaped the images people saw back home.
But no, nowadays that'd be considered "suppressing the beauty of individual expression and creativity" or "classist". Because nobody actually gives a shit if a political action WORKS, or not, so long as they get the smugness and self-satisfaction they're looking for (in the case of the white, upper-middle-class liberals who overwhelmingly run progressive activism) or a shot at getting laid (the college guys). Because at the end of the day, their life will be comfortable whether a war actually ends or not.
Let's be honest and cut the bullshit, k? This isn't 'progressive politics'. It's a lifestyle of self-congratulation that involves no real sacrifice and doesn't do nearly as much good for anyone who actually *needs* help as *real* political activism would.
If people actually gave a shit, 80% of the kids at the next anti-war rally (do they even have them anymore?) would take a look at themselves and go, "Hmm, I'm middle class and face no real oppression -- if I apply myself diligently in undergrad and grad school, I can go work for DoD or somewhere in the intelligence community, join the permanent government, and if tens of thousands of other progressives do the same, we'll have a huge impact on the organizational culture of the U.S. government, and thus achieve way more than attending a few marches ever will." Or perhaps, "Hey, investment banking sounds like a shitty job field populated by pompous douchebags, but I'll go do it anyway, work the 100-hour weeks at JP Morgan, have grey hairs at 30, all so that I have the financial clout and the insider connections to shift the Democratic party in a more progressive direction."
Because THAT'S HOW YOU ACTUALLY CHANGE THINGS IN THE LONG TERM - by BEING 'that guy' who makes the decision, not by writing 'that guy' a letter.
Rant over. But please, quit patting yourself on the back.
Because there are millions of people out there in the world who may live or die depending on whether you treat political action as a fun lifestyle, or something to be taken seriously.
Early May is an important time of year for the campus advocate. As leaders in the progressive movement graduate one can only hope that future leaders enroll. I have graduated from Kent State University, but I do not leave my hopes on the high school class of 2008, rather I confidently leave my campus liaison position to a second year graduate student.
The new President of Eta Sigma Gamma is a graduate student in Health Promotion. She is a graduate assistant in the Center for Student involvement, this provides her exclusive access to policy makers, university funding, and university scheduling. She not only is qualified, but she is surrounded by experienced progressive leaders.
Eta Sigma Gamma had a historic year at winning numerous university awards for leadership, service, and maintenance of rights and civil liberties. Eta Sigma Gamma also increased their visibility, assets, and reputation through building a campus coalition and seeking partnerships with local, state, and national organizations. These contributing factors coupled with new leadership and a continued partnership with Campus Progress will lead to an even better academic year in 2008-2009.
Please remember that Campus Progress' terms of use do not allow promoting or endorsing any particular political party or candidate for office. Posts or comments that do this will be deleted.
!
True 'leaders in the progressive movement' are people like George Soros, Al Gore, or, for that matter, John Podesta. People who can get someone who actually *matters* to take their calls. (And yes, I can already hear your retort of "B-but, this is a people powered movement and so Everybody Matters!" from here.)
This reminds me of the same logic underlying the absolutely pathetic protests against the war in this country. You want your protests to be about five times as effective? Get every single person in the crowd to WEAR A FUCKING SUIT AND TIE. When MLK Jr. marched on Washington, people wore their Sunday best, and it shaped the images people saw back home.
But no, nowadays that'd be considered "suppressing the beauty of individual expression and creativity" or "classist". Because nobody actually gives a shit if a political action WORKS, or not, so long as they get the smugness and self-satisfaction they're looking for (in the case of the white, upper-middle-class liberals who overwhelmingly run progressive activism) or a shot at getting laid (the college guys). Because at the end of the day, their life will be comfortable whether a war actually ends or not.
Let's be honest and cut the bullshit, k? This isn't 'progressive politics'. It's a lifestyle of self-congratulation that involves no real sacrifice and doesn't do nearly as much good for anyone who actually *needs* help as *real* political activism would.
If people actually gave a shit, 80% of the kids at the next anti-war rally (do they even have them anymore?) would take a look at themselves and go, "Hmm, I'm middle class and face no real oppression -- if I apply myself diligently in undergrad and grad school, I can go work for DoD or somewhere in the intelligence community, join the permanent government, and if tens of thousands of other progressives do the same, we'll have a huge impact on the organizational culture of the U.S. government, and thus achieve way more than attending a few marches ever will." Or perhaps, "Hey, investment banking sounds like a shitty job field populated by pompous douchebags, but I'll go do it anyway, work the 100-hour weeks at JP Morgan, have grey hairs at 30, all so that I have the financial clout and the insider connections to shift the Democratic party in a more progressive direction."
Because THAT'S HOW YOU ACTUALLY CHANGE THINGS IN THE LONG TERM - by BEING 'that guy' who makes the decision, not by writing 'that guy' a letter.
Rant over. But please, quit patting yourself on the back.
Because there are millions of people out there in the world who may live or die depending on whether you treat political action as a fun lifestyle, or something to be taken seriously.