Essay question 2
Jay91
communication_activism.pptxActivism
-Whether you agree with the anti-war perspective or not, all perspectives can benefit from and apply the communication theses and principles to our individual advocacy and protest work.
Communication Activism: Grassroots in Action
Communication activism is a dimension of the Fourth Pillar of Citizenship, grassroots activism.
Grounded in:
Communication scholars immersing themselves into the stream of social life
Taking vigorous action in support of, or opposition to, a controversial issue
The purpose of promoting social change and justice
Critiquing Causes
Communication Activists critique popular causes or issues:
-anti death penalty
Anti racism
Anti globalization
Anti smoking
Anti war/pro peace
Civil rights
Education rights
GLBT rights
Elderly rights
Health care rights
Labor rights prisoner rights women’s rights
Critical Advocacy Work
Communication scholars also advocate or protest issues within several contexts:
Civic journalism
Public dialogue
Public education campaigns
Teaching
Think tanks
Political art, etc.
Rhetoric of Activism
Studying the rhetoric of activism is examining the rhetorical messages of social advocacy and protest.
This is studying how symbols (words, signs, images, music, even bodies):
Operate to shape our perceptions of reality
And invite us to act accordingly
Advocacy and protest rhetoric is typically characterized by:
Internal tensions and divisions
Changes in response to shifting audiences and contexts
Rhetorical Tactics
Advocacy and protest rhetoric also utilize various tactics and strategies to communicate their messages. There are many popular tactics available to Communication Activists today:
Letters to editor
Manifestos
Marches
Public speeches
Picketing
Postering
Rallies
Principle of Non Violence
Activism is non violent
Activists who resort to violence actually violate the principles of democracy that are essential for the success of their social movement.
Non violent social action is crucial to society’s evolution:
Accomplishes important social goals
Promotes participatory democracy and equality
Examples: women’s suffrage, civil rights movement
Activist Movement Stages
Finally, activist movements go through several key stages in their formation and organization of their activist efforts. They include a:
Period of condition ripe for change
“take-off” stage where the issues is put on the nation’s social agenda
Period of failure or setback
Breakthrough stage where a majority of mainstream citizens and institutions begin to address a given problem
Week 9 Reading
Dr. Stephen Hartnett:
The author of our article is Dr. Stephen J. Hartnett, and he is the Department Chair of the Communication Department her at CU Denver.
He is a well-known citizenship, rhetoric, and social justice scholar
Summary:
Dr. Hartnett’s article reviews:
A brief historical context of US foreign policy and the Iraq War
A framework and four theses for communication activism
Six examples of advocacy work and
Four hopeful values to communicate citizenship
Foreign Policy
“Bush Doctrine” in Iraq and Afghanistan where:
Enemies were attacked in “anticipatory action” before they were able to threaten or use WMD against the United States.
Negative due to lives lost, spent tax dollars, less diplomacy for global relationships.
US is the good empire and capitalism is the only way
=New form of American “empire”
Symbolism
9/11 and WTC
Hartnett’s article describes US foreign policy and the symbolism of the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center (WTC)
The WTC twin towers were symbols for power, leadership in free markets and military dominance
The 9/11 attacks were symbolic, a backlash against this empire and its dominance
Conclusions About Foreign Policy
The US uses free trade to justify imperialist actions around the world
The 9/11 attacks were President Bush’s rhetorical tool for the War on Terror
-Need to re-examine Bush doctine and US foreign policy, or risk damaging the “empire” itself.
A Communication Framework
Communication activism should:
Advocate a citizen-centered space
Communicate and envision practical alternatives
Critique the US not out of fear, but the US should be used to promote peace
Have a goal to expand democratic practices, and reduce violence and injustice
4 Theses for Communication Activism
Thesis 1: Local activism can gain strength from global activism
Thesis 2: In times of war, defend democratic processes
Thesis 3: Everything activist do can have multiplier effects
Thesis 4: The power of delayed impact can create future opportunities for activism
6 Examples of Activism and Rhetoric
Hartnett examines specific examples of his own anti-war activism:
Teach-ins
Political art
Marches, vigils, and rallies
Postering, emailing, chance communication, and targeted networks
Media communication
Picnics, parties, and interpersonal communication
Communicating Hope
Hartnett concludes by mentioning hopeful values for communication grassroots activism scholars:
Take responsibility for one’s own knowledge
Infuse one’s daily work space with political energy
Become a producer, not just a consumer
Embrace activism as a lifestyle, a way of being in the world with others
