Arts
A veteran activist's guide to direct action and strategic civil disobedience as the most radical and rapid means to social change For decades, Lisa Fithian’s work as an advocate for civil disobedience and nonviolent direct action has put her on the frontlines of change. Described by Mother Jones as “the nation’s best-known protest consultant,” Fithian has supported countless movements including the Battle of Seattle in 1999, rebuilding and defending communities following Hurricane Katrina, Occupy Wall Street, and the uprisings at Standing Rock and in Ferguson. For anyone who wants to become more active in resistance or is just feeling overwhelmed or hopeless, Shut It Down offers strategies and actions you can take right now to promote justice and incite change in your own community. In Shut It Down Fithian shares historic, behind-the-scenes stories from some of the most important people-powered movements of the past several decades. She shows how movements that embrace direct action have always been, and continue to be, the most radical and rapid means for transforming the ills of our society. Shut It Down is filled with instructions and inspiration for how movements can evolve as the struggle for social justice continues in the Trump era and beyond. While recognizing that electoral politics, legislation, and policy are all important pathways to change, Shut It Down argues that civil disobedience is not just the only action that remains when all else fails, but a spiritual pursuit that protects our deepest selves and allows us to reclaim our humanity. Change can come, but only if we’re open to creatively, lovingly, and strategically standing up, sometimes at great risk to ourselves, to protect what we love. give it a'listen Wowza--this episode was a teensie bit tough for a couple reasons. Candace has personal experience with an action/protest from the book, which was traumatic and the memories carry a lot of feelings with them. Ash didn't finish the book because figured out midway through recording that she's stressed AND depressed (surprise!) and that's why she never wants to read anymore. Woof! But no fear: we also talk possumkratom69 and Tiny Toons, so it ain't all a bummer. Mentioned Links We mentioned possumkratom69 and their cool memes. Turns out we aren't the only fans, either, Vox wrote a lil' bit about them.Info on the Standing Rock dickbag who fired a gun at a protest and drove his truck into a crowd of protesters.We're fundraising for the Osage Nation Foundation through our Facebook page. The donation link is posted to the top of the PMAB page, so you can't miss it! It's the season of giving so consider donating to a worthy cause, yeah?Want some levity? Wanna know which Tiny Toons character you are??? DUH don't be dumb, of course you wanna know! (Psst...Ash is Buster Bunny. Candace's results are still pending.) Goodreads We'd love to have you join us in opining over on Goodreads. You can find this book over there: Shut It Down by Lisa Fithian, and of course join our discussion group here. Spotify Playlist Ash mixes up playlists for our books - here's a sample for this week. You can check out our Spotify profile for like, all of them if you want to see more.