Resisting Hegemony through Social Movement Communication Practices

• In Event: 2347 - The Practice of Social Justice

Abstract

Much discussion has occurred regarding how to “turn a moment into a movement.” Here we describe how we distilled social movement and practice theories into replicable communication practices that proved effective in organizing for a Homeless Bill of Rights in Rhode Island. The practices allowed activists to transform single campaigns into an ongoing political network stressing participatory democracy.

These practices include narrative practices that link individuals together into a shared justice vision and culture; strategic discourse practices that have allowed RICH and RIHAP to widen support by broadening networks; and reflexive practices that distill lessons and disseminate learning internally and nationally. More specifically, these communication practices included 1) Cultural agreements establishing vision, core values, and conflict resolution processes; 2) Routines for sharing movement culture and history; 3) Policy meetings for strategizing, debating, and reflecting; 4) Message framing caucuses; 5) Independent organizing spaces for constituencies directly affected by the inequalities (such as RIHAP members); and 6) workshops sharing resulting communication practices with other movement groups.

Before describing the successful Homeless Bill of Rights (HBOR) campaign facilitated by deployment of these communication practices, we present our theoretical framework. We then sketch out several generalizable lessons that we have transferred to subsequent organizing.

Author

• Charlotte M. Ryan, UMASS - Lowell