Thank you for this. It's so frustrating when everyone is just like "talk to your legislators and decision makers! Hold them accountable!". Of course we should be holding them accountable but if petitions and telling them what we want actually got things done, we wouldn't even be here?? If they're not even likely to take their own health into consideration for these decisions, there is so no true incentive for listening to us, and no amount of emails is going to change that.
They leveraged travel bans in the early days of the pandemic, and you’re absolutely right - they’re gonna run that tactic back when bird flu human transmission kicks into high gear. As always, thank you for your analysis 💌
And I suspect that there will be much more buy in when that time comes. our capacity to challenge microfascism in NYC is tepid... if looking at the DOJ, Eric Adams multitude of scandals, and the withdrawal of $80M in FEMA funds for sheltering migrants, is any indication of what comes next... we're going to need to get extremely creative.
Thank you! I'm a member (kind of?) of the NYCLU-headed coalition around mask bans, and shared this with them. (I sent it before I realized they were called out by name -- but ok! And pointed out the concrete prompts you share about reflecting on the makeup of the group.)
For any other Jews involved in Palestine organizing and Jews for Mask Rights and such (especially white Jews like me) -- it's so easy to get off track. Jewish lives (and opinions) are not more valuable than anyone else's - that should be not only our rallying cry to prevent mask bans ostensibly in the name of Jewish safety, but also our direction as far as how to behave in movement work.
I had mentioned this publicly last year during a meeting and they did not seem willing to engage with my critiques. I think if folks are new to abolitionist organizing, then it would be wise to consult with organizers who have more experience. When that doesn't happen, these groups tend to waste time and resources — distracted by negotiating with the state rather than building power with those most directly impacted — which is what I would consider as a form of counterinsurgency, especially under these conditions.
As I mentioned, there are certain risks that these groups can/will not take and that's understandable. But what is stopping them from redistributing to more radical groups who are more willing to take direct action?
Thank you for this. It's so frustrating when everyone is just like "talk to your legislators and decision makers! Hold them accountable!". Of course we should be holding them accountable but if petitions and telling them what we want actually got things done, we wouldn't even be here?? If they're not even likely to take their own health into consideration for these decisions, there is so no true incentive for listening to us, and no amount of emails is going to change that.
exactly. we need more autonomous action that doesn't engage with the state on their terms.
They leveraged travel bans in the early days of the pandemic, and you’re absolutely right - they’re gonna run that tactic back when bird flu human transmission kicks into high gear. As always, thank you for your analysis 💌
And I suspect that there will be much more buy in when that time comes. our capacity to challenge microfascism in NYC is tepid... if looking at the DOJ, Eric Adams multitude of scandals, and the withdrawal of $80M in FEMA funds for sheltering migrants, is any indication of what comes next... we're going to need to get extremely creative.
terrified for the future, but excited for more of these notes!
Thank you! I'm a member (kind of?) of the NYCLU-headed coalition around mask bans, and shared this with them. (I sent it before I realized they were called out by name -- but ok! And pointed out the concrete prompts you share about reflecting on the makeup of the group.)
For any other Jews involved in Palestine organizing and Jews for Mask Rights and such (especially white Jews like me) -- it's so easy to get off track. Jewish lives (and opinions) are not more valuable than anyone else's - that should be not only our rallying cry to prevent mask bans ostensibly in the name of Jewish safety, but also our direction as far as how to behave in movement work.
Appreciate you reading and sharing!
I had mentioned this publicly last year during a meeting and they did not seem willing to engage with my critiques. I think if folks are new to abolitionist organizing, then it would be wise to consult with organizers who have more experience. When that doesn't happen, these groups tend to waste time and resources — distracted by negotiating with the state rather than building power with those most directly impacted — which is what I would consider as a form of counterinsurgency, especially under these conditions.
As I mentioned, there are certain risks that these groups can/will not take and that's understandable. But what is stopping them from redistributing to more radical groups who are more willing to take direct action?