Dear Activists: Ditch The Costumes

[votesparks]

After attending an anti-Monsanto protest earlier this year, I realized a major reason why many liberal protest movements don't catch on with the general public: too many in modern protesters go out of their way to culturally differentiate themselves from the general public.

[Shrike47]

1. Costumes seem to work O.K. For the Teabaggers.

[zazen]

3. maybe for the already-converted, but it makes them look like buffoons

--I think not only to us but to (albeit dwindling) mainstream Republicans.

Silly men dressing up like they're brave soldiers or something--sort of like elderly Lodge members with those crazy hats. They want to think they look imposing but they look like little boys to me.

[gopiscrap]

10. No theyt don't, I see those fucking clowns in costumes

with their misspelled signs and think how fucking stupid!

[zazen]

2. I did appreciate the polar bear who sat through climate change hearings

Especially since s/he just sat there, listening intently, the entire time.

But I agree.

I think some of the power of the Moral Mondays here in NC is that you've got very mainstream looking folks from all walks of life (including people using wheelchairs and canes) who are being quietly, but publicly, arrested. The Right has tried to marginalize and otherize them with web sites of their mug shots, but it doesn't work, because apart from the snarky writing on the web site, the folks look like Joe and Jane America.

[votesparks]

4. Exactly

people connect with people they feel that they have something in common with. A face bandana wearing anarchist, or a guy dressed up as Cat in the Hat won't achieve that.

[starroute]

5. There's a role for both modes of protest

Sometimes you want to send the message that what you're opposing is so far out that even your average middle-class American is horrified by it. Then ordinary clothes work best.

At other times, you're trying to draw attention to what is still a fringe position and simply make people aware that it exists and get them to start thinking about it. That's where the costumes and giant puppets play a role.

It's much the same as comedy. You can be Stephen Colbert in a business suit or a clown in a fright wig and a rubber nose -- but both can serve to draw attention to the injustices of society. The real question is knowing which is appropriate in what context.

[votesparks]

6. Agreed

but I'm talking about individuals not in a theatrical protest, but just dressing like Cat In The Hat for the hell of it. Not that I don't love Cat in the Hat.

Social change is serious business that has repercussions for everyone, and should be treated as such, IMO. Giant Puppets are great, but not what I'm referring to. Thank you for watching.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

7. I figure it'll be a great Halloween trend....

Just look at how many women were doing the Palin thing in a mocking way. It reduced her to a joke.

[Quixote1818]

8. I agree 100%

It doesn't play with 95% of the country including most Democrats who are not this creative.

[gopiscrap]

9. Good point

[SylviaD]

11. Sparks makes a good point. n/t