Comments on: because no, the revolution will not be grant-funded

By: brownfemipower

brownfemipower — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 20:34:34 +0000

i dunno, i tend to shy away from the idea that eventually “policy” must be made. I think the more important starting place it ask why is policy even necessary to begin with. Could the same thing be done without policy in place? If yes, why isn’t it being done? If not, why not? is there something behind our dependency on ‘policy’ that we need to unravel and discuss?

I think that when we ask ourselves these questions, the we don’t need to ask with any expectation of what to finally *do* about the issue we are questioning ourselves on. Maybe, in the end, we do nothing. maybe, in the end, we decide that policy is necessary. Maybe, we decide that it’s harmful and must be changed. Whatever. But we can’t limit our discussion before it even gets started. We can’t say, well, I’d like to change things, but somethings are unchangeable, so i’m not even going to allow myself to grapple with the effects of the unchangeable.

By: cripchick

cripchick — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 08:32:25 +0000

diane, awesome to see you here and hear your thoughts. the book (which again i read only about 20 pages at a time so i’m still in the beginning) says that moving beyond the non-profit industry complex is more about shifting the power back to the people. i don’t think non-profits have to disappear or stop doing work, i think it’s more about making them accountable to the movement instead of considering themselves to be the movement. when i think of things like the 504 sit-ins or ADAPT’s right to ride actions, they came from people power not nonprofit power.

what i’ve really enjoyed locally here in my state is organizing without a big budget, although i don’t know that it’d work on a national level. without having to sell our soul to various organization, we’ve been able to sustain ourselves by having meetings at campuses across the state where we can get a free room, sleeping at people houses, carpooling, trying creative ways to provide accommodations, etc. i think there are ways to be sustainable, our community just need to be creative in thinking of them—for example, do we HAVE to have all our conferences at $300+ hotels when there are places we could meet for free or cheap?

belledame, very thrilled to see your comments here. *grins*

i’ve been thinking a lot about public policy since it’s something i had been planning to go into. you’re right, someone has to make the policy i suppose but i don’t believe policy is the most effective tool for change. then again, i come from a community where policy and advocacy are the only thing that are really promoted.

By: belledame222

belledame222 — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 01:57:33 +0000

anyway, yeah, I’m more aware of the limitations of the nonprofit model from the theatre world, where, yep, pretty much often ends up being like a for-profit theatre in everything except, well, profit.

By: belledame222

belledame222 — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 01:56:23 +0000

also, while I definitely get the problem of money=strings, I think there are also traps in the other direction: or, just, well, 1) one has to eat, and I think sometimes people get paralyzed by the idea that no matter what they do, they’re “selling out;” and go into this rather reactionary and anti-materialist/even ascetic mindset which, well, admittedly I’m biased for a bunch of reasons, but I’m always suspicious of 2) there are -always- strings, and ulterior motives. If it’s not money, then it’s often something else. But then money’s rarely just about money anyway…

eh, sorry, part of a longer spiel which i’m currently too lightheaded to be coherent about, more later.

By: belledame222

belledame222 — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 01:51:16 +0000

but I guess…yeah, I can understand the dilemma here, sort of, I think.

On the other hand…well, one, I guess I think there’s a place for reform, even if it may not be sufficient.

The bureaucratization as well as the whole subtle funneling toward elitism and for-profit, those I get as bigger problems.

but…as for policy making: I mean, at some point someone does have to make policy, no? Even if it were in a radically different form from the ones we have now: at some point one needs legislation…maybe I’m misunderstanding.

By: belledame222

belledame222 — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 01:47:20 +0000

Sounds like a good read. I just picked up “Calling All Radicals” by Gabriel Thompson, which seems more like a kind of 101 primer (which is more where I’m at when it comes to activism). also the Mattilda bernstein Sycamore anthology, “Nobody Passes,” which looks -amazing.- Now if only I can make myself finish one of those funny little square things with the paper inside, which seem somehow so much more challenging since I got used to pointnclick and surf and…

By: Pinky Bear

Pinky Bear — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 15:11:26 +0000

It’s a sad commentary but even the few progressive Non-Profs are changing and becoming more coporate in nature.

By: Veralidaine

Veralidaine — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 21:16:59 +0000

Very interesting post- I may have to go check out the book or buy it if the library is lacking.

It makes me curious- is there any way for a grassroots, citizen funded and organized movement to be viable without BECOMING part of the non profit complex you refer to? For example, a friend of mine was a canvasser for a true citizen funded grassroots organization; despite not being grant funded and being entirely run off small donations gathered by the canvassers, the group was a registered nonprofit, did its government paperwork, and had official stances. She and I both liked the organization, but in acquiring enough funding to make a grassroots movement effective, it was forced to become part of that nonprofit complex.

Disability is a cause that requires a lot of funding- for example, money for curb cuts and ramps and elevators to make buildings and streets accessible. Is it viable to say, as a community, we want this and we will pay for it, $5 at a time, without becoming incorporated into the non-profit world the book examines?

I am not a wheelchair user, so my perspective is from the outside, but I have to wonder… is it possible to have a revolution that isn’t funded by corporations or by non-profits, and if so where does the money come from and who makes sure it goes where it is supposed to?

Haven’t read the book, so just drooling words on your comment page that may or may not look like valid points after reading it.

-Daine

By: Cilla, aka Big Noise

Cilla, aka Big Noise — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 13:18:46 +0000

Recently, my husband and I dropped out of the local healthcare justice committee. Why? Because the sponsoring organization dropped their commitment to universal single-payer and adopted the Governor’s incremental plan that will leave millions in Illinois without coverage. I am sure it will help their funding to do so.

It’s the old dilemma of how badly do you want “a seat at the table?” Sitting at the table often means you get access to the people to whom you want to speak; but immediately after sitting down, you have to work to keep the seat… so you give up a little here and then a little more there. Pretty soon, you’ve lost your revolutionary spirit and become part of what you hated. The “table” is a very seductive place.

I definitely think it’s better for our movement to be agitating on the outside, then too comfortable on the inside.

By: cripchick

cripchick — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 05:34:58 +0000

i think you folks have all made amazing points. it’s so uncomfortable to talk about because our community relies on the work that nonprofits do and a lot of us are people who work and volunteer for non-profit agencies (where there is more potential for change then let’s say, a gov job). perhaps this is why i find it scary, because it is hard to even imagine a world outside this complex. sometimes i think when we see something as “really good” because A.) we’ve worked really hard to create that or B.) we know what “really bad is”, it’s hard to picture anything beyond or different than that “really good”. communities that fight oppression (or at least older generations) seem to have a hard time with change in general but that could be a sweeping generalization i’m making. anyways.

hillary, DEFINITELY would love to talk to you after i finish the book. oh and also about a potential community zine project : )