Recently in class we’ve been
discussing the differences between organization and mobilization during the
Civil Rights movement, specifically the Montgomery Bus Boycotts. We’ve
discussed the how mobilization and organization differ in success during the
Civil Rights Movement. Mobilization resulted in getting bodies involved in the
movement, but did little to actually make any changes while organization took a
little more effort, but resulted in the most change. Taking these ideas into context now, they
remain relevant and movements that are occurring all over the United States and
all over the world.
The protests in Ferguson, MO are a
good example of differences in success for the community. Initially most of the
protests were marches and gatherings with no real organization or guidance.
Small discussion groups formed but did not form into much more than that.
Notable members of the NAACP such as Al Sharpton came to give speeches, but
those also did not result in much change within the community. For the longer
weeks of the protest there were only marches and sidewalk protests that did not
go any further than where the march ended. While it is honorable that the
community has remained together for so long, there was not much accomplished
during these times.
However, not too long after the
protest began, the protesters began meeting at the Quick-Trip, which was burned
down by looters during the first night of protests. Various groups began
forming at the Quick Trip. Many groups handed out voter registration forms for
those who wanted to make a difference by policy change. According to USAToday 4,839 people have
registered to vote and 3,287 of those registered voters are residents of
Ferguson. This signifies a slight change from mobilization to organization in Ferguson.
More significant changes involve the various community panels with the St.
Louis Police Department and with St. Louis’s own elected officials.
Even more recently, the protestors
in Ferguson have started a movement titled Ferguson October which includes
marches, sit ins, community discussions, petition signing, and legislation
discussions. There is even a website titled fergusonoctober.com which has
information about groups that have formed in Ferson along with details of
events and legislation that are being discussed in the community.
Ferguson still, however, relies
heavily on mobilization tactics such as marches and boycotts, but there are
elements of organization, but they are not as strongly represented or nurtured
as the mobilization in the movement. This is somewhat similar to the Civil
Rights Movement, in that the narrative is skewed so that the focus is on more
on the mobilization movements rather than the organization with was the
key to achieving success.
This is a very interesting topic because it is able to directly relate something we have learned about in class to something that is happening in the world around us. I also find it very intriguing that people in Ferguson have gone from violent protests to doing things that are shaping the community in a positive way. It is apparent that this community is wanting to organize and bring about change in a positive manner.
ReplyDeleteThis is very encouraging to see people organizing together in support of a cause and doing this in a nonviolent way. I am very interested to see how these marches and sit-ins take place in the month of October in Ferguson.