Counterproductive Activism

An event today reminded me to write about this topic. It has been on my mind for a long time, and I just needed this reminder to push me to write it down. It should be common sense, but it is disregarded by too many would-be activists: do not drive the masses to embrace your enemy.

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The occasion that drives me to write tonight is a report of an individual who seems to have a dispute with the police. That part is fine with me. They are a monopoly funded by theft and rife with abuse. However, his harassment of librarians does not address the problem and encourages the general public to consider the cops a bulwark against such harassment. Further, filming such obnoxious behavior and selectively editing the footage to post on Youtube for a profit is a total dick move.

This reminds me of major protests against police brutality in recent years. Blocking traffic and vandalizing stores drives people to embrace the police who stop such hooligans. It makes the Average Joe consider the blue line gang an ally, and the people making a commotion over a just cause into the enemy.

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This is similar to the blunders made by the US in the "War on Terror." You don't stop terrorism through terror tactics. Drone-bombing weddings and funerals is terrorism. Bombing hospitals is terrorism. Murdering journalists from a gunship is terrorism. This makes people view their self-proclaimed "liberators" as terrorists, because that is what they are. It makes the local despots look credible as they promise to defend the people from terrorism, and offer ways to strike back to those maddened by grief.

Use these as examples of tactics you should not emulate. The successful revolutionaries (regardless of their ideological merits otherwise) are the ones who can persuade the public that the revolutionary is an ally. It means making a long-term plan, not just doing anything for the sake of feeling like you're doing something. The activist is not immune to the Politician's Syllogism. Don't use coercion, destruction, and violence against your potential allies in the public when you protest the coercion, destruction, and violence of the government.

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Does this mean I know what should be done instead? Hell, no. But you don't need to be an engineer to know the Trabant was a shitty car, or that there was something deeply wrong with the Tacoma Narrows Bridge after it collapsed. Not having an answer does not refute an objection. Besides, every event has its own distinct circumstances that color whatever the right response should be. Remember that our battle is one of ideas, and people who get the wrong idea about our activism will be nearly impossible to convert to our cause of libery and justice. First impressions matter, so be civil and rational. Let the coproaches make the stupid arguments, and let them be the ones who show the public how manipulative and abusive they are. Use their own behavior as a tool for our mission rather than cause them to be perceived as a solution to your stupidity.

Don't keep using tools that don't work. Don't vote, don't commit vandalism and violence against your fellow victims, and don't turn yourself into a problem Average Joe thinks the police need to solve. We are better than this.