We recently posted a "Call to Defend Democracy and Pluralism." We hope that you have had time to read it. If you find at least some of the ideas in the statement worth considering, please read on.
The elections of November 1994 teach us that the strategy of fighting right-wing backlash movements by merely labeling them as "zealous" and "extremist" is not only negative, morally and intellectually indefensible, and divisive, but also doomed to failure. Many persons in our country are angry at the status quo, confused by the arrogance and indifference of public officials, and looking for answers in a period of complexity and rapid change. Unfortunately the loudest voices seeking to mobilize the public to seek redress of their legitimate grievances are right- wing demagogues willing to blame social problems on handy scapegoats.
We need to defend democracy and pluralism by building diverse, locally-accountable coalitions that respond to scapegoating campaigns by exposing the misinformation and divisive outcomes of the right-wing demagogic agenda, and then offering progressive alternatives for change.
Here are some ideas for action:
Distribute the Blue Mountain statement in print form or electronically. Feel free to include your own or your group's comments or criticisms, as long as it is clear that they are separate from but related to the unaltered statement. Compose an analysis of how a local broad-based coalition could be built, and what specific issues and goals most meet the needs of your geographic and topical constituencies.
Start a debate over the statement, develop a carefully-considered response, and mail the results to Political Research Associates, or e-mail to publiceye@conf.igc.apc.org on the Internet. The Public Eye magazine will print the best suggestions and criticisms.
Have your group endorse the statement, prepare a list of local signers, and send it with a press release to local newspapers, radio stations, and television stations. Ask for a meeting with the news staff or editorial board to discuss the seriousness of your concerns.
Approach two other groups under attack in your area and ask if they need assistance in getting their concerns addressed in the public arena. Seek areas of common interest. Agree on ways to support each other when any one group is targeted for scapegoating by right-wing demagogues.
Learn to differentiate between the demagogic leaders of the right with their scapegoating appeals, and the real grievances of the people they are seeking to organize. Learn to treat people with whom you disagree with respect, while still pointing out examples of misinformation and prejudice.
Below is a press release you can use or borrow ideas from.
Thanks for taking the time to consider our message.
Steering Committee for the Blue Mountain Working Group:
Suzanne Pharr, Women's Project, (503) 335-3369While highly critical of the polarizing tactics of right-wing leaders, the activists urge their supporters to "refrain from using the same polarizing techniques of scapegoating, demonization, and demagoguery that have been so successful for the anti-democratic right." The activists pledged to "respect diversity while defending democracy," and conceded that "many of the individual grassroots activists being mobilized by the leadership of the anti-democratic right are sincere and honest people with real fears concerning jobs, family, schools, and personal safety. They are not our enemies, they are our neighbors and potentially our allies."
Because the activists fear the anti-democratic right is a growing social movement, they outlined three immediate tasks to protect democratic values:
In the statement the activists said they defended "the right of all persons to hold religious beliefs and moral codes without government restriction or interference." But insisted that "in a constitutional democracy the arguments for legislation and regulation be based on rational debate and factual evidence that demonstrate a useful purpose and a compelling government interest."
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