What Is to Be Done? Assessing the Antiwar Movement

[Echo In Light]

What Is to Be Done? Assessing the Antiwar Movement
by Matthew Smucker

Remember February 15, 2003?

That day saw the largest coordinated global demonstrations in the history of the world. Ten million people from more than 60 countries sent a clear message to Washington that the world was saying no to a U.S. war against Iraq. The newest manifestation of the antiwar movement seemed finally ahead of the game. But when the Bush Administration ignored us, what were we to do next? This was no easy question, and organizers understandably struggled with direction, tactics and strategy.

Five years on, we have some assessing to do. Despite the dedication of many, our successes have been quite limited. We have been unable to translate popular antiwar sentiment into popular antiwar action. We have been unable to build the kind of grassroots political power strong enough to apply pressure to end the occupation.

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/06/26/9893/

{very good comments section below also...}

[Smarmie Doofus]

1. An "image" problem? From where I sit there IS no image. Period.

>>>>>>>The movement has a demographic problem and an image problem (and they’re related).>>>>

The antiwar movement is *invisible* in NYC. Possibly because the media here is soooooo corporate and soooo powerful and sooooo prowar. But I can't believe things are that different around the country. So I find it hard to identify with the folowing analysis:

>>>>>>>Many of the people I spoke to sensed that a majority of Americans — and particularly working-class people and communities of color — felt alienated from the white, counterculture image of the peace/antiwar movement.

Some of the problem lies with how the media broadcasts the narrative of “hippies” and “the sixties” and makes “activists” and “protesters” an alien identity — as opposed to portraying activism and protest as actions reasonable people take when they’re fed up. At most antiwar demonstrations, however, there’s no short supply of folks providing images and sound bites that enable the media to run with this angle.>>>>>>>>

Sounds more like VN than Iraq.

This part I agree with:

>>>>>We need to focus less on big demonstrations, and more on organizing a base and building leadership.>>>>

Big demos are a waste of time if the media ignores them... which it does. I'm not sure what "organizing a base and building leadership" means other than it sounds like a tired and empty cliche.

I like the work being done here: www.iraqmoratorium.org and would echo the sentiments of those in the comments section who talked about media reform as being an essential Step 1.

[Radical Activist]

11. Code Pink is the image.

Oh look, a crass, insane looking burned out hippie on TV opposes the war! Yeah, I'm sure that really accomplishes a lot. :eyes:

[Smarmie Doofus]

13. It's news to me. I never see *anyone* on TV opposing the war.

( I don't have cable; it might be different there) I'd settle for a burnt out hippie. Better than nothing.

What I do see is a conspiracy of silence. And it's pretty effective: I *never* hear anyone talking about the war where I work. Except when I bring it up. It's a fairly representative socioeconomic crosssection.

I think that they think acceptable conversation is what they see on the tee-vee ( 'reality shows' and nonsense news) and read in the tabloids ( celebrity gossip and more nonsense news.)

The war isn't discussed 'cause their media tells 'em 'don't think about it'.

[balantz]

15. It's so much easier to play with our toys

and let someone else do the thinking and worrying.

We won't start crying until the toys are gone.

[Vilis Veritas]

2. Whoever controls the media, controls the mind.

Jim Morrsion

"Whoever controls the media, the images, controls the culture" - Allen Ginsburg

I have heard this attributed to both so I thought I would post both...

Network was a great movie in this vain and this is probably the best damn rant ever written...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5Gf0VKXk5Q

saddlesore

[bdamomma]

3. maybe our focus should be to protest the media outlets.

[Vilis Veritas]

4. You read my mind...

And we need to video it...and create cd's and drop them everywhere...Samizdat.

A proper movement requires organization, participation and publication...and money.

saddlesore

[bdamomma]

5. when we are right outsides their doors

they would have no choice but to publicize it.

[balantz]

6. And when that is ignored, or skewed we know we need to take another path

Perhaps we need to consider raising a phenomenal amount of money and buy a major media and make sure it is funded only by US!

[Smarmie Doofus]

14. That sounds a little 'out there' but it's actually a good idea.

And maybe the *only* way to challenge the current status quo misinformation monopoly.

It would have to be an IMMENSE amount of money, though. Look how hard Air America is struggling jus to stay alive.

[balantz]

17. I wonder if it can be pulled off?

It is vital that we break through the disinformation bubble in a big enough way for people to see the truth instead of the propaganda.

We would really need some big money and major organization effort.

[KoKo]

8. Here's what one of the commenters on the article wrote about protesting Media:

#
lwhunt330 June 26th, 2008 2:17 pm

The Bush administrations wasn’t the only organization that paid no attention to the anti-war movement. The Democratic party also ignored us and the MSM as well. I think the most effective demonstrations should be at the headquarters of the major networks such as CBS, NBC, MSNBC, and of course FOX. Large demonstrations here would get more attention and also serve as possible picket lines where any employed there with a conscience might not want to cross. In this way, when major stories such as the no-bid contracts for the oil companies, complicency on torture, complicency on illegal spying, waste of billions of our tax dollars on inside contracts in Iraq with billions missing or squandered, we can demand that they cover these issues. Most business abhor the thought of hundreds of shouting people standing on their doorsteps causing a disturbance. They have their own “pr” to worry about and this is their weakness.

[KoKo]

7. Thanks for posting this. The replies are also a good read. K&R

[Disturbed]

9. The majority of Dems in Congress support the US Occupation

of Iraq. There is nothing to be done that will change their support. They keep allocating the
$ Billions for it.

If Sen Obama becomes Pres. will he end this Occupation?

I have my doubts that he will do so.

In the meantime, scores of Americans, Iraqis & others will die &/or be maimed for the Oil Corps.

[KoKo]

10. ...

[Greyhound]

12. The media is not the problem, they are only the tool used by the perpetrators.

There is only one issue and it is the same one we have wrestled against over and over since this nation was founded, the ruling class, those that liver on the efforts of others.

Call it aristocracy, oligarchy, kleptocracy, corporatocracy, whatever, it is always the same thing.

[balantz]

16. But not having at least one good mainstream media outlet

that represents us and our real concerns is a huge handicap in getting everyone informed with the truth.

Most people will not dig and search for the truth, it is easier to listen to the convenient mass media along with its lies and disinformation.

When we are born our programmed parents put TV clickers in our hands.

[Greyhound]

19. That's true, but overcoming the media is really pretty easy and we are in the process

of doing just that. Ignoring them will make them go away or change, they are already shitting themselves over the undeniable trend away from them, audiences in general are shrinking as the population rises and this has been going on for about 20 years.

The key top changing is still in attacking the hands that control the tools. We are nearly alone in the world in our egregious ignorance and indifference.

[proud2BlibKansan]

18. Here is the comment that resonates most with me:

I know a poster who put their name and number on this thread TWICE and said they would march on DC and wanted others to join. Said they would picket the White House and DEMAND IMPEACHMENT but sought numbers:

ZERO CALLS COMMON DREAMERS! NOT ONE OF YOU DIALED THAT NUMBER TO ACTUALLY DO SOMETHING.

Have fun blogging.

But don’t march on DC or even check it out-NONE OF YOU COMMON DREAMERS, not one, responded to two attempts to organize. YOU ARE THE PROBLEM. HELLO, SELF-REFLECT.