Recent comments in /f/springfieldMO

Miserable_Figure7876 t1_jddte9n wrote

Reply to How do we feel about organizing as a community? by PossibleReporter6873

We absolutely need to organize! One of Springfield's biggest problems is that right wingers have gotten organized and they've taken over the school board under the guise of "focusing on academics", and they'll do the same to City Council if they can. We need to get together and organize, just so reasonable people get a voice.

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PossibleReporter6873 OP t1_jddsdof wrote

Reply to comment by ProgressMom68 in How do we feel about organizing as a community? by PossibleReporter6873

Well, I definitely appreciate your honesty about this. Your first point is something I've thought about a lot recently. I honestly think people just need a reframing of the issue between others. I don't think we should focus so much on the left v. right aspect of the common people, it should more fall on the us v. them mentally in regards to class. Working class as opposed to ruling class. Maybe that's the first step that's needed for a more effective change

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ProgressMom68 t1_jddq97q wrote

Reply to How do we feel about organizing as a community? by PossibleReporter6873

Sadly, yes, you are naive. I’ve lived here for 16 years and I’ve learned a few things about trying to organize in this city.

First, the liberal/progressive community is tiny and full of cliques and infighting.

Second, the Chamber of Commerce owns the City Council. You will never be able to get them to do anything for anyone except businesses. I’m serious. The CoC hand picks and funds the majority of candidates.

Third, there is a ton of duplication of effort in organizing. Everyone has their own project and a lot of times people are working at cross-purposes.

Fourth, you run a high chance of being slandered, fired, having your property vandalized, experiencing harassment, etc., if you piss off the wrong people and you have to be ready for that.

I wish it was different but that’s the way it is. The only hope for this city is massive demographic change but that kind of thing takes a long time. I noped out of community organizing a year ago. I still help with some small projects but I learned my lesson about trying to make change in this town a long time ago.

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