Re-strategizing for a Prosperous Tomorrow

In the face of challenges to progressive movements, it's crucial to re-strategize and set a course for the future where ground is not easily ceded. The key to success lies in understanding the importance of marrying principles with strategy, and embracing the best of human nature as we work towards a thriving future.

The climate crisis is a prime example. Every degree of warming matters, and carries increased risks. Yet, it's important to remember that every step towards change, no matter how small, can make a significant impact.

The paradox of holding moral clarity while making hard, strategic choices is often highlighted. The need to avoid echo chambers and engage in continuous, participatory issue and educational campaigns is stressed. This approach not only helps sustain momentum but also builds skills like public speaking and critical thinking among members.

Coalition building across different communities and municipalities enhances impact. Unified progressive governance that moves beyond slogans to concrete reforms on housing, transit, and institutional reform creates durable change. Collaboration across divides builds strength and presents coordinated demands, avoiding fragmentation.

Successful movements also avoid violence, seek to build broad coalitions across the political spectrum, and remain focused on achievable policy goals rather than confrontational or coercive tactics. This strategic inclusivity and peaceful approach sustain public support and political legitimacy.

In summary, the levers for progressive change include:

Evolving but clear, actionable goals to avoid vagueness and co-optation.
Continuous, participatory issue and education campaigns to engage and train members.
Coalition-building across regions and communities to unify efforts and increase power.
Commitment to nonviolence and broad-based inclusivity to maintain legitimacy and avoid alienation.

Common pitfalls to avoid are vagueness in objectives, shifting focus solely to power acquisition, reliance on violence or coercion, and fragmented or top-down organizational structures that stifle participation or limit strategic flexibility.

It's essential to remember that we must stop alienating people simply because their beliefs don't perfectly align with ours, or because they don't use the language that we would. Building broad coalitions doesn't have to mean compromising on our causes, but rather highlighting the areas where they overlap.

The refusal to engage in dialogue also happens within progressive circles. If we want to create a bigger movement, we ultimately need to expand who sees themselves reflected in it. The art of persuasion is a valuable skill to learn, as shouting at people is rarely an effective way to change minds.

Progressives have lost ground on many causes, and it's important to learn from past mistakes. The example of withholding support for Kamala Harris due to her not fully calling for an arms embargo on Israel is given. However, it's crucial to remember that every issue requires nuanced understanding and careful consideration.

In the end, we can bring our values to life if we message them effectively, act with purpose, avoid extremism, and hold a long view. The current administration may have challenged progress, but that doesn't mean it's over or that we should give up. We can continue to strive for a better future, both in theory and practice, and make a difference in the world.

[1] Adapted from: "The Levers for Progressive Change: A Field Guide for the Resistance" by The Levers Project [2] Adapted from: "Building Power for the Long Haul: A Guide to Organizing for Social Change" by Movement Strategy Center [3] Adapted from: "Coalition Building 101: A Guide for Social Change Organizations" by National Council of Nonprofits [5] Adapted from: "Nonviolent Direct Action: A Guide to Effective Organizing and Civil Disobedience" by George Lakey

To ensure continued progress, we should focus on developing clear, actionable goals for our newsletters, magazines, and education-and-self-development content, avoiding vagueness and co-optation.
To engage and empower our community, we can organize continuous, participatory issue and educational campaigns that focus on culture, art, lifestyle, climate, politics, and general-news, fostering skills like public speaking and critical thinking.
To amplify our impact, it's crucial to build coalitions with other communities and municipalities, working together on concrete reforms in housing, transit, and institutional reform for a thriving future.
To maintain legitimacy and avoid alienation, our movements should commit to nonviolence and broad-based inclusivity, engaging in dialogue with people of different political views and avoiding confrontational or coercive tactics.
In order to create a larger and more diverse movement, we should adopt the art of persuasion and strive to expand who sees themselves reflected in our progressive culture, avoiding fragmentation and top-down organizational structures that stifle participation or limit strategic flexibility.