Thursday, July 23, 2009

The unpredictable is important

David Mixner, who worked in the Clinton Administration and has since become an activist, has a few things to say to those who believe the repeal of the Calif. marriage ban should wait until 2012.

The cabal of powerful decision makers wants everything to be safe, clean and perfect before moving. Don't upset anyone, don't jump ahead of ourselves and most of all don't deviate from a well-laid plan that hopefully will eventually lead to victory. Every one of our allies has to be comfortable, the polls have to show us way ahead, and proof of victory has to be assured before trying anything new. The unpredictable grassroots could be destructive and create instability.

Sounds pretty good doesn't it? Except that it doesn't fit any model of success that I have seen in my near 50 years of organizing.

He goes on to say they're fearful of defeat. They seek approval. In contrast, the unpredictable is sometimes what a movement needs to gain victory (such as the demonstrations after the Calif. ban was approved).

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