Friday, February 10, 2017

Bernice King's Suggestions for #Resistance

Below is a Facebook post from Bernice King, Dr, Martin Luther and Coretta Scott King's daughter. 

from: http://media.pennlive.com/midstate_impact/photo/bernice-a-king-207c6c798acf4526_large.jpg

Not a whole lot to add to her suggestions, but one thing that did catch my eye and gave me a smile was how many of her suggestions involve language.  I have also been thinking about the verse of one of my enduring favorite songs from my junior high school years..."De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da" by the Police:

Poets, priests and politicians 
Have words to thank for their positions
Words that scream for your submission
And no one's jamming their transmission


Call to action: Jam #Mussoweenie's transmission and here is Bernice King's prescription:

Some Wise Advice Circulating:

1. Use his name sparingly so as not to detract from the issues. I believe that everyone, regardless of their beliefs, deserves the dignity of being called by their name. However, this is a strategic tactic. While we are so focused on him we are prone to neglect the questionable policies that threaten freedom, justice and fairness advanced by the administration.

2. Remember this is a regime and he's not acting alone;

3. Do not argue with those who support him and his policies--it doesn't work;

4. Focus on his policies, not his appearance and mental state;

5. Keep your message positive; those who oppose peace and justice want the country to be angry and fearful because this is the soil from which their darkest policies will grow;

6. No more helpless/hopeless talk;

7. Support artists and the arts;

8. Be careful not to spread fake news. Check it;

9. Take care of yourselves; and

10. Resist!

Keep demonstrations peaceful. In the words of John Lennon, "When it gets down to having to use violence, then you are playing the system’s game. The establishment will irritate you - pull your beard, flick your face - to make you fight! Because once they’ve got you violent, then they know how to handle you. The only thing they don’t know how to handle is non-violence and humor."

When you post or talk about him, don't assign his actions to him, assign them to "The Republican Administration," or "The Republicans." This will have several effects: the Republican legislators will either have to take responsibility for their association with him or stand up for what some of them don't like; he will not get the focus of attention he craves; Republican representatives will become very concerned about their re-elections.


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