David Korten: Every Great Social Movement

[marmar]

from YES! Magazine:




Every Great Social Movement
David Korten: The biggest shifts of our time have been sparked by ordinary people rejecting the cultural stories that dominated them.

by David Korten
posted Jul 25, 2011


Every great social movement begins with a set of ideas validated, internalized, and then shared and amplified through media, grassroots organizations, and thousands, even millions, of conversations. A truth strikes a resonant chord, we hear it acknowledged by others, and we begin to discuss it with friends and associates.The new story spreads out in multiple ever-widening circles that begin to connect and intermingle.

A story of unrealized possibility gradually replaces the falsified story that affirmed the status quo. The prevailing culture begins to shift, and the collective behavior of the society shifts with it.

.....(snip).....

The awakened consciousness is relatively immune to manipulation by corporate media, advertising, and political demagogues. For those who share this experience, the stories that affirm and encourage racism, sexism, homophobia, and consumerism are more easily seen for what they are—a justification for imperial domination, exploitation, and violence against life.

The global awakening creates the opportunity for the first time in 5,000 years to consign the dominator structures of Empire to the dustbin of history, bring forth a New Economy, and complete the human transition to full-fledged democracy and Earth Community. ..............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.yesmagazine.org/blogs/david-korten/every-great-social-movement

[swilton]

1. The shared ideal, validated and internalized that is

being shared through grass roots organizations yet suppressed by the status quo is that Obama can be challenged by a candidate from outside the 'system'.