I get that organizing is important, but I still don't actually know what that entails. Like what am I supposed to do? It's kind of like telling a straight guy who wants to get a girlfriend to just "be himself." So when I see someone complain about the hellworld we live in and a common response is "organize," it feels kinda condescending. Same with "join an org." What org? How do I know which one is good?

Like for real, why isn't there some sort of organizing guide or FAQ on here? There's a recommended routine for body weight fitness and there's even a 14 day primer on getting started (https://old.reddit.com/r/bodyweightfitness/comments/kofo8l/bwf_primer_buildup_community_event_day_1_happy/). So where is the organizing primer? I mean it can start with something really simple, i.e. "on Day 1, say hi to a neighbor if you see them out walking (no need to get into a convo unless it just happens)." Like tbh how about a 14 Day Primer for organizing? Even the radlibs on the Bernie campaign had training sessions before having volunteers do stuff like call, text, or canvass. Even pick-up-artist idiots have training programs (e.g. day 1 talk to a random stranger and ask them directions, just say your phone is dead, etc.). We should have one too.

  • __throat [comrade/them]
    ·
    4 years ago

    I think most people who you hear say that, just like the conservatives who tout bootstrap theory, haven’t organized anything beyond a gratitude journal or their messy ass room a week ago. It’s something people say to be condescending in my experience. ESPECIALLY when it is brought up online. Arguing leftists love throwing out “organize” and “read theory” when they know they’re losing the battle.

    • JuneFall [none/use name]
      ·
      4 years ago

      The organize part is like that, though you can only become organized by an org. This is an onus on people who have the right class conscious. There is also the truth that organize is kind of the right thing, but online channels are really bad to bring someone to actually do something (cause you aren't there and cant give guidance etc.).

    • grisbajskulor [he/him]
      ·
      4 years ago

      As a counter point, as someone who visited /r/cth as a full on liberal socdem, the "read theory" and "organize" memes actually made me do both.

      That said, I can't really empathize with users who don't have the same access to a union, or other orgs, as I do. All I can say there is to join up with your closest chapter of whatever org, even if it's far away, and see what you can do from there. It's a huge process, but you might say it's a "death by a thousand cuts" - the tiny steps taken and sacrifices made have a chance to add up to what we know as a "labor movement."

    • ColonelKernel [comrade/them]
      ·
      4 years ago

      Arguing leftists love throwing out “organize” and “read theory” when they know they’re losing the battle.

      The corollary to this libertarians back in 2008 who spammed "Google Ron Paul".