Readers of Give Up will note that I have contempt for the way our generation protests, and tried to point out good examples of what works. But then people like this guy show up, this is from NYC last year.



Now, a lot of this reflects that when news organizations are going to cover events, they are going to be drawn to jackasses. That is not an excuse! When you go to a protest why are you doing it? The reasons I can think of:

1. To register discontent with your government.
   
2. To draw positive attention to your point of view.
   
3. To try to change people's minds about an important issue.
   
4. To foment change.

I see the pictures of the protests on yahoo, and what do I see? The same old crap. I'm sure there are plenty of people there who don't look like jackasses, but based on the slideshow you see that we end up being represented by the worst possible people in the bunch. The only conclusion I can draw, putting myself in the shoes of those whose minds we seek to change, is that:

1. We are more interested in pissing people off than changing their minds.
   
2. We are more interested in rebelling for the sake of rebelling.
   
3. We do not have a unified message.
   
4. We are not serious.
   
5. We can be ignored.

Some examples? Let's take a look at some of these pictures:

From the AP, we have these protesters. Now looking at them, do you say let's hear what these guys have to say?



No? Why not? Was it the haircut? The unreadable signs? That when you do read the signs that they have nothing to do with protesting the surge in Iraq? The bandanas around their faces? What exactly is it about these two that make it so it would have been better if they hadn't even shown up? Oh yeah. Absolutely everything.

Check out this from AP:



Great ladies, we appreciate your art skills, but do you think portraying them as bloodthirsty ghouls does much more than scare and confuse children? Remember, people in this country voted for these assholes, and don't get me wrong I hate them too, but the people whose minds you're trying to change see this and think you're calling them monsters too.

Maybe that one's a little too subtle, let's go back to an easy one, from the AP:



So, when did it become a good idea to dress up like terrorists when you protest the war on terror? Once again we don't seem to be on message people.

Oh God! This is the proof of my point! They only find the jackasses in the crowd because here in DC they found the same damn one!



The same guy, different protest, still gets picked up by AP no less, still wearing the mask but now he's got more blood on his hands.

Now, this one from Reuters, what does this even mean? Are they pissed at the 18th century Spanish Galleons?


Sure enough the anarchists show up (anarchy meaning hating your parents because you're a teenager and they totally don't understand you). From the AP:



Oh, poor girl, they won't shake your hand, the demons! They must be responsible for Iraq, or your bedtime, or something.

Maybe wearing stilts will change someone's mind! From AP:



To make it all worse, what celebrities will show up and guarantee a bunch of fodder for the wingers and contempt for the cause? Why Hanoi Jane and that guy who used to be married to Madonna.
From Reuters:




Well now I'm convinced. The woman who sat on top of a Vietnamese anti-aircraft gun, in one of the most misguided efforts of all time to protest a war has joined our cause. Pardon me (sorry PZ) if I don't jump for joy at that one.

I tried and I tried to find a good example of people present at this protest who represent how it should be done. How you do change people's minds. It was hard, but I did find one image. From the Washington Post slideshow(pops):



Now that's how you do it. None of the jackassery, none of the theater, none of the acting out which makes people think you're more interested in pissing off your parents than changing the world. A simple message, one from the heart. One that speaks to your humanity and your good reasons for wanting change. That's how you change minds. It reminds me a lot of these guys.



That's how it's done people. Until we can get people to show up for these things, on message, acting like normal human beings, behaving like adults, and generally putting the best face on our argument, our protests are going to be little more than blips on the radar screen of this administration. As long as we show up and demonstrate in a manner that will do nothing more than mobilize their base and alienate people, they're going to feel safe ignoring you. I realize marketing is seen as something evil, but at a protest you are marketing your ideas. Now is wearing bandanas, waving schizophrenic signs and hand-puppets the best way to market your ideas? Yeah, you'll get on the news, and AP will point a camera at you, but for the sake of the cause, I really wish they wouldn't.

Once again, here are the three rules that should be obeyed by everybody at every protest.

1. No one may wear costumes, build puppets, or carry signs with dirty language. If these people show up, they are the ones who get the attention, and your message is immediately and totally destroyed. Tell them to leave and never come back.
   
2. People should wear their best clothing. No one is too upset when an anarchist gets the snot beaten out of them. They get very upset when cops beat up men and women that look like them. So, dress like the people whose minds you are trying to change. Wear suits, dresses, and put on your best face. This is like a job interview for your idea of changing the world.
   
3. Protesters should know why they are there, be respectful to the media, and if interviewed, be prepared to say something succinct and informed about why they are there. Do not give the finger to the cameras (and I'm someone who loves giving people the finger).

It's not that hard people. When are we going to learn?

Labels: Iraq, protests