Turned off politics

[purpletigron]

There seems to be a wide local concensus that a dedicated community centre is needed.

The local council say there is no funding available.

A loose coalition of local activists are working behind the scenes to try and use political levers to shake loose funding, a building, support etc.

But it's all behind the scenes, and almost all white*, well-off women doing the work. With the public face of the efforts being 'no money, no go', it's no wonder that many ordinary people think that politics is irrelevant.

* 20% of people here are 'non-White'

Comments

[purplecthulhu.livejournal.com]

I think the problem is that if the behind the scenes stuff is very difficult to do in the open. If the public statement of the council is 'there is no money available', then for them to then publically be argued into making some available, would give the lie to that statement and everyone else would start making demands.

Yes its wrong that people with special access get to do things that the rest of us can't, but its another atttractor like political parties. Its probably all primate biology at work in the end...

[purpletigron.livejournal.com]

'The people with special access' include you and me, who have thrived in the academic and intellectual sub-culture. Yes, politics inevitably involves 'face-saving', but we can't have a default expectation of 'smoke filled rooms' on the one hand, and of 100% voter turnout at elections on the other.

[purplecthulhu.livejournal.com]

I agree with you 100% and don't deny I'm one of the ones with 'access'.

[purpletigron.livejournal.com]

people with special access get to do things that the rest of us can't

In this statement, you clearly distinguished 'us' (including yourself) from 'people with special access' (them). I understand, however, that you are not at your intellectual best right now :-)

As you benefit from the current status quo, you have an obligation in defending it to present a very strong case indeed, to avoid the appearance of self-interest. Otherwise, best stay neutral.

So, I say again - if we want more real participation in politics, that has to start with the every-day decision which really matter to people, even if they are awkward and embarassing to politicians.

[purplecthulhu.livejournal.com]

I don't think I'm defending it. I'm not intending to anyway, but I can see that its an attractor that is difficult to escape from. Just like political parties, which I don't defend either.

But I am rather dim right now.

[vgnwtch.livejournal.com]

Marvellous. Just how do you get people involved in local politics if they can't even see work for change on a local level?

[profundo-rosso.livejournal.com]

almost all white*, well-off women doing the work

Stepping aside from issues of "access" for a moment, isn't it also a fact that the people you describe are more likely to have the spare time to take part in such a campaign?

[vgnwtch.livejournal.com]

And most likely to know how to navigate the process (or to know people who can help). It's a funny thing with all "empowerment of the people" projects, but you do end up needing the very people who have superior access and privileges so they can show those who don't how to make progress. Bit of a moral balancing act.

[purpletigron.livejournal.com]

I don't see much of the 'showing' going on, partly because we're all busy with our own pet campaigns. Not all of those pet projects are quite as important as we think :-)

[vgnwtch.livejournal.com]

I don't see much of the 'showing' going on

Oops.

Not all of those pet projects are quite as important as we think :-)

Every little bit helps :)

[purpletigron.livejournal.com]

Indeed they do. On the one hand, I have no problem with people doing good things for good reasons, no matter who they are. But on the other hand, everyone else deserves proper representation too.

Meanwhile, I'm actively trying to widen the circle of consultation, at least...