Chesapeake Citizens

A Hopeful Activist's Template: Savor Each Victory, No Such Thing As Failure

By Diane Wittner
February 20, 2009
Posted on www.afterdowningstreet.org

Activism n. the policy or action of using vigorous campaigning to bring about political or social change.
(The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English, 2009)

You might be tired, or a little embittered. You may wish for a two-month vacation, a big celebration, or perhaps you want a pot of money for what you've already done. I would not turn any of these down.

All the while, mind-boggling challenges continue to hurtle towards you and me at rapid-fire speed. It appears that social justice, environmental, and human rights challenges are only going to grow in urgency.

Still, I say, let us pause and savor our victories.

To that end, I have begun a hopeful template for activism. I have filled in some areas and invite you to set up your own:

--------
Neighborhood Victory:

Nine years ago, I was one of two organizers challenging our local university's multi-million dollar plan to expand its underutilized stadium. The larger stadium was to be located among three busy hospitals, two thriving public schools, and a stable, affordable, pedestrian-friendly residential area. The roads could not accommodate more traffic. In addition, university students had more pressing needs.

For over two years we petitioned neighbors, expanded partnerships, begged for funds, undertook studies, lobbied state officials, successfully courted the media, and brought experts to government hearings. We lost the battle, and the larger stadium was built. We lost because our lawmaker allies were beholden to a powerful and probably corrupt pro-stadium-expansion politician. My parting shot was a deliciously biting satire published in our local paper, but I would have preferred to win.

Just six weeks ago, I learned that the university was planning another unwelcome surprise, a new arena next to my neighbors' homes. This time university officials kept the news quiet -- that is, until New Year's Day, when neighbors woke to the noise of chain saws removing protective trees behind their yards. Now, however, my former partner is the community association president. And people got to work. They orchestrated media, meetings, petitions, information distribution, rallies and more.

Last week, university officials sat down with the community association and negotiated an acceptable alternative plan. It has been said that our work from nine years ago laid the foundation for this success.

Environmental Victory:

Eighteen years ago I worked as project coordinator of Still Waters, a London-based creative utopian environmental project. Our objective was to unearth the city's buried tributaries, beginning with awakening people's imaginations. The organizers of the project, PLATFORM, consisted of a small band of friends with boundless energy and big ambitions.

Still Waters was a compilation of forty-two events in a one-month period: exhibitions, walking tours, neighborhood meetings, public performance art, a flashy river re-development agency, and large group meals. Media coverage was extensive, and the project won a prestigious award. Subsequently, PLATFORM used the ideas of the project to begin new work.

A month ago, I was reading an online ecology journal, and I came across an article which almost stopped my heart. I read the headline "Project Launched to Restore Waterways Buried Under London." Yes, it's true; Mayor Boris Johnson has instructed planners at the Environment Agency develop a plan to dig up London's tributaries. The ultimate aim is full ecological restoration, borough by borough, river strip by river strip.
--------

Your hopeful template may have different categories. It may be shorter, or it may involve a different time frame. Your template might consist of personal or professional victories known only to you, or those not yet known to you. Or perhaps young people in your life will one day model themselves after you.

Embedded in all of our actions are the seeds for future victories. We can't predict when victories will come, or what forms they'll take.

There is no such thing as failure. Failure is just an opportunity in disguise. It leaves a useful trail. It offers a chance for reflection, for tactical adjustments, for getting it right the next time.

And this is no small thing.