Activism in small towns

[victim77]

How can I contribute to the left from a small town? The only leftys I know in this town are me and a couple of my friends. We can't really protest or anything.

[AGITprop]

Well, I think there is plenty you can do. Once you have consolidated yourself ideologically, you could perhaps print a small newsletter every couple weeks and hand it out at workplaces, bus stops and schools to inform the public about proletarian struggle across the world. Contributing to the cause is honourable work.

[victim77]

Well, I think there is plenty you can do. Once you have consolidated yourself ideologically, you could perhaps print a small newsletter every couple weeks and hand it out at workplaces, bus stops and schools to inform the public about proletarian struggle across the world. Contributing to the cause is honourable work.
Yeah I have thought about a newsletter but I have no idea what I would put in it.

[There is No God!]

Yeah I have thought about a newsletter but I have no idea what I would put in it.

Just rip off other people's work, no real anarchist would care.

You could start a Food not Bombs chapter with your friends and hand out your newletter at servings.

[which doctor]

I would advise against being active simply because you feel it is something you "have to do." However, if you sincerely want to get active, go ahead. The best "actions" are those born out of necessity.

[The Douche]

I would advise against being active simply because you feel it is something you "have to do." However, if you sincerely want to get active, go ahead. The best "actions" are those born out of necessity.

Having fallen into such a rut before I think this is very valuable advice. Don't be active for the sake of activism. In our quest to feel like we were "doing something" we ended up getting involved with the local peace group, mostly middle aged liberals, and they essentially used us to do thier footwork. Classism exhibited at its worst in that group and patronizing like a mother fucker. It really burnt us all out, and I'm the only one out of that circle of friends who is still into revolutionary politics.

[che_18]

:)

[RaiseYourVoice]

Yeah I have thought about a newsletter but I have no idea what I would put in it.
It can always be good to seek contact to an over-regional organisation. They are usually very happy if someone wants to do something in their town and might support you in various ways:

- getting your hands on leaflets
- helping with organisation
- helping with education
etc.

If you dont want that its always helpfull to get into interesst groups. Student councills, unions or whatever you are doing and try to get them to more action.

[rouchambeau]

I would suggest finding out what problems there are in your community. Is there a lot of racism? Sexism? Labor issues? Environmental problems? Once you have found something that needs to be fixed, see if there are any others in your position. Get together with them and see what solutions they have or what has been working out for them.

Of course, one has to go about these sorts of things with a particular kind of sensitivity, and you might not like what I am about to say. If you are white, male, upper-class/well-off, or privileged in any other way, then you have to realize that if you are engaging in issues of racism, sexism, labor, etc. (respectively) you should relegate yourself to a support/ally role. Chances are that people of color/women/homosexuals/etc. have a better understanding of their own problems than anyone else. Now, I only say this because there are massive issues of privilege within the activist community. Those issues often end up alienating the very people who are meant to be aided by activist efforts.

Anyway, I would advise against going into whatever you are doing with any specific ideology in mind. Look at the situation, listen to others, and use your best judgment in figuring out how to right the wrongs that you see.

[which doctor]

Having fallen into such a rut before I think this is very valuable advice. Don't be active for the sake of activism. In our quest to feel like we were "doing something" we ended up getting involved with the local peace group, mostly middle aged liberals, and they essentially used us to do thier footwork. Classism exhibited at its worst in that group and patronizing like a mother fucker. It really burnt us all out, and I'm the only one out of that circle of friends who is still into revolutionary politics.
I believe that activism for the sake of activism is one of the reasons so many people become burned out so soon.

[Entrails Konfetti]

FoB said it best, don't do something for the sake of it
If you're really going to distribute anything, make sure it's relevant to the time, people, and place. Which is a difficulty, seeing how small town's seem to have their own existence independent of this country. You've got to look for a class terrain.

Personally I'm thinking of being a contact and reporting to grand ol' organizations of the situation small town USA is fairing under the housing crisis.

Since there are rarely events to talk to people, you can talk to others (individually) in your community when something political arises in a conversation, so leaflets don't do you too much good here. Since our towns are small, our relations are pretty micro. And you can get together with your group of friends to develop eachothers arguments and facts for when you have conversations with others.

I know, it's kinda a bummer that you cannot be involved in the workers actions taking place in the cities, and help set up strike committees-- and it's weird hearing about how this stuff works from people who've done it. bUt someones gotta do something in the small towns, our task right now, is more of ideology than of organizing workers.

[lombas]

Search wikipedia. Find intriguing authors.

Go to local library. Browse catalog.

Read books.

Philosophize.

[More Fire for the People]

Build working class (and lumpenproletarian) civil society!