Movement for a New Society Records (DG 154), Swarthmore College Peace Collection

Contact Information
Swarthmore College Peace Collection
500 College Avenue
Swarthmore, PA 19081-1399
U.S.A.
Telephone: 610-328-8557 (curator)
Fax: 610-690-5728
Email: wchmiel@swarthmore.edu (curator)
URL: http://www.swarthmore.edu/Library/peace/

Return to main Movement for a New Society Records (DG 154) finding aid

Have-Nots: Have less and nos increase as haves get more resources; environment decreases; capitalism increases gap
MNS
---De-development/Simple Living
---Reduce needs/wants -> Spirituality
---Anti-private enterprise

Maslow’s Needs Chart
---above basics
---“material self increases” not basics for organizing
---Higher material consumption can never meet higher human need

Social Change Agent										x
Movements					x				x	x
Pens Lib	x						x			x
“C” Self Involved
Liberal		x	x	x		xxx x		x
CR
Start
	Racism	War	Imperi -alism	Environ -ment	Sexism	Poverty	Sexuality	Classism	Capitalism	Personal Spirituality

Once have breakthroughs on
---One issue – help rest and get easier
---Personal spiritually – help get through other issues
_______________________________________________________________________________

LIBERATIONA ND OPPRESSION WITHIN US
We need to work at two levels simultaneously:
---Outside
------*issues (war, hunger, nukes)
------*Change institutions, systems, movement building, CR public
---Inside
------*Change us and the movement
------*Ways in which we as individuals and a movement oppress others or are oppressed/unconsciously adopted society’s oppressions
FULL HUMAN POTENTIAL

O
P
P
R
E
S
S
E
D

GROUPS

Passive/Workers
Gay
Jewish/Catholic
Children
Elderly
Women
Workers/LC
Non-White
Third World
Non-U.S.
Future Generations

Hierarch/Elitism
Sex Preference
Religion
Agism

Sexism
Classism
Racism
Nationalism

Eraism

Heavies/Dominant
Heterosexual
Protestant
Adult/Parental
Middle Aged
Men
U/MC
White
U.S. Citizens

Twentieth Century Modern

O
P
P
R
E
S
S
O
R
GROUPS

Steps:
1. C.R
2. Identity Groups
---a. Support
---b. Action
------- *Speaks out and challenges others/selves
------- *Political action
------- *Writing
Examples in MNS
---- Women/Men
---- Class
Dangers
---- Being oppressive
---- Take on oppressor’s identity
_______________________________________________________________________________

MNS AS A FEMINIST ORGANIZATION
- MNS is feminist because
---- Anti: sexist, masculine, patriarchy
---- Feminist: ideology, values, goals, methods, vision
---- Says it’s feminist: trying to be feminist
---- MNS roots are feminist when fully carried out: nonviolence, Quakerism, Humanism applied
- Role as mother
---Mother Role
---MNS Purpose
------*Nurture and serve movement, groups and activists
---Methodology and Training
---Writing and Publishing “How-to-Do-it”
---Networking
---Help other groups
------*Not proselytize
------*Not vanguard
-Personal change
---Personal change, growth, support
---End sexism (and other isms)
---End Internalization of present culture
---Deal with feelings
------*Help people change
------*RC
---Support
------*ID Groups, community, attention to personal
------*Affirmation and Directions
---Empower people and positive approach
------*Mother role – help family grow, mature, fly on own
------*Empower groups, people
Ex.: Not stop nukes but create movement and people
_______________________________________________________________________________

WHOLISTIC APPROACH
Political and Personal
Not just single issue
Relate everything: rape – imperialism – hunger – war – nuclear power
World wide
Environment
Future generations
Total change of society
---System/culture change:
------*Patriarchy -> Feminist
------*Capitalism -> Democracy
------*Violence and Sexism -> Egalitarian
---Ex. Civil Rights movement in 60s: Assimilate blacks; end discrimination
------*Now/Me Magazine: Assimilate women; end sexism
------*MNS – Not assimilate women but change society
The way we do it is vital
---Process and method are important
---Gandhi – the means is the ends in the making
MNS Organization Model
Leadership Model
---Nurturing, empowering
---Not heavy dominator
Humility/Vulnerability/Self Development
---We’re learning
---Relative truth (Gandhi)
---Evaluation/Feedback: Nondefensive
---Not arrogant, right, boastful
Problems
---Herd to live up to “New Convertism”
_______________________________________________________________________________

AGENDA – MEN
5 [mins.] Excitement sharing
5 [mins.] Agenda review
10 [mins.] Introduction to subject/process
10 [mins.] Brainstorm: “oppressive behaviors of men in groups”
25 [mins.] Think and listen: “specific ways men can overcome each oppressive behavior”
---10 [mins.] Think
---15 [mins.] Report sharing (2 groups)
60 [mins.] Self-Estimation – Estimation
------1. Recent success
------2. Our oppressive behaviors
------3. Ways we want to work on our own behaviors
------4. Help from the group
---10 [mins.] Think
---50 [mins.] Report sharing
20 [mins.] Future Men’s Meetings (what/when?)
---Brainstorm and prioritize
---Planners
5 [mins.] Evaluations

Men’s liberation in mixed groups
“Overcome men’s oppressive behavior in mixed groups”
_______________________________________________________________________________

MEN’S MEETING
5 [mins.] What/why/goals
5 [mins.] Agenda review
10 [mins.] Rap and discussion
10 [mins.] Sharing in pairs
---“Positive and scary feelings”
---2 [mins.] Think
---3/3 [mins.] Sharing
10 [mins.] Brainstorm: “oppressive behavior (by men) in groups
---Two Groups
15 [mins.] Think and listen
---“Ways to overcome one oppressive behavior
---3 [mins.] Think
---10 [mins.] Share
70 [mins.] Self-Estimation – Estimation
---5/10 [mins.] Think
------*List your own oppressive behaviors
------*For several: list ways you can work on them
------*What help would you like from men here
------*What progress have you had?
---60 [mins.] Each man share (10 [mins.] each)
------*5 [mins.] Man shares
------*5 [mins.] Feedback (positive and then help)
5 [mins.] Evaluation
---Join with women
15/20 [mins.] Groups of 4/5 (share feelings/liberation)
10 [mins.] Closing circle
_____________________________________________________________________________

CLASSISM
- Definition of Class
- Visions of what will happen to class in new society
- Ways we ignore class issue
- How our own class backgrounds affect our perceptions and sense of self
- I.D. Groups
- Class Ints. – What does it mean?
- What it means to try and break out of class patterns
- Effective ways of changing class structure
- How it ties in with other isms
- Classism and strats for social change
- Class and leadership styles
- How class backgrounds affect our interactions
- Relevant literature . . . of issue
- Sharing implications for MNS
- How Classism is evident in T.P.
_______________________________________________________________________________

MOVEMENT GOALS NEED . . . RE: CLASS
New ‘Era’
---Modern Industrial – Appropriate technology/Human (change system, culture people)
De-Develop U.S. – 95% Reduction in material consumption
End Imperialism
Re-Develop U.S.
---Basic needs guaranteed obtainable (useful work, housing, safety, security, status)
---Equitable distribute
------* Resources
------*Power
---Conservation
---People-ism
---Self-actualization for all
Movement Program
---Consciousness raising and cultural preparation (for revolutionary change)
---Organization building (for revolutionary change)
---Confrontations
_______________________________________________________________________________

M/UC PEOPLE CAN WORK WITH/ORGANIZE POOR/WC
Friere/MNS style (Facilitator/Democracy)
Problems and myths of M/UC working with WC
---“We’re all workers”
------* your own class privileges
------* denies own classism/guilt feelings
---Only blue collar working class can do the revolution
-------* many revolution UC/Self as class of Captains/Denies own class background
-------* writes of 40% Americans
---Vanguard
------* elitist/classist
---WC/P are so much easier to relate to
------* unconsciousness condescension
---It’s hard for M/UC organizers
------*Liberal Help (ineffective) vs. Revolutionary (tell WC/P what to do)
------*Parallel – Men organizing women
_____________________________________________________________________________

M/U CLASS IN MOVEMENT
- Class identity/support group
- Listen to WC people
- Identify class oppression and classism
---*Work on ending them in society, movement, self
- Consider organizing M/UC and coalitions with WC and MC
- Anti-Nuke; Macro seminars
- Figure out how to work with WC, (FRIERF/MNS)
WC in Movement
- WC support group
- Identify class oppression/classism in society, movement, selves (including internalized oppression)
- Work with WC people (e.g. relative/friends)
- Develop strategy for WC in movement
Limits of Old Management Goals
- Maximum GNP growth
- Poor/working class -> Middle Class
- Guns to butter
- Socialism in US
Limits of Old Movement Programs for Poor/WC
- Handouts
- Self-Help (help poor help themselves)
- Wage increases
---*(imossible: don’t change causal system; don’t change power)
New Movement Goals
- End imperialism and military intervention
- Modern industrial era -> appropriate technology and human era
- De-develop U.S. (90% reduction in material production/consumption)
- Re-develop U.S. (“New Age” and Democratic Socialism)
---*(equality, economic political; decentralize, self-actualization for all; new culture)
- Basic needs met
- Change power relationships
New Movement Program Strategy
- Consciousness raising – system analysis/vision
- Cultural preparation – change selves, new values/training
- Organization building (for Rev: Change)
- Confrontations
_______________________________________________________________________________

CLASSISM AND OTHER OPPRESSIONS IN MOVEMENT
A. Class
- Feelings/Background
- Dictionary
I. Class big pictures: U.S. vs. Third World and future generations
- Diagram – The politics of scarcity
- Conclusions
-Material production and high U.S. consumptions requires:
---a. T.W. poverty, hunger, police military dictatorships
---b. Big U.S> military, imperialist wars, police state
---c. T.W. and future generations not get needs met, end life as known
II. U.S. Class Picture
- Not all middle class
- Definite class differences
- 2% own 95% productive wealth (IE, are “Capitalists)
(in the form of a pyramid)

Rich: M -> W

U.M.

Middle

“Working” C.

Poor

-Rich, U.M and Middle: - 40%
---- Counter culture and alternatives “movement”
---- Leisure; space; education; travel; basic material needs met; status; clean working conditions; clean, safe social environment; medical/dental care
-“Working” C.: - Gender, Age, Race: Struggle; insecure; work hard; health care; neighborhood; low status; little leisure
-“Working” C. and Poor: - Many basic needs not met: health; food/shelter; under employment; no employment
- Big differences between 4 classes
III. M/US Marxists – Org. Workers
a. “We’re all workers against rich owners”
---- Ignores own class privileges
---- Denies own classism and guilt
b. Only owners can do revolution
----Denies own background
---- Makes workers responsible for change
---- Takes self as class exception, writes off class peers
---- Many revolutionaries UC (Mao, Engles, Marx, Che, Castro, G.W.)
c. Vanguard
---- Classist
---- Elitist
---- No win
d. I like working with/organizing workers, poor
---- Unconscious condescension (superior – inferior dynamic)
---- Own class peers scare them: self denial and elitism
IV. Patriarchy
- Denies own classism
- Splits WC and P
V. U/MC Organizing Working Classes is Usually Unhelpful
---- “Liberal” – help WC – Ineffectual social work
------*Handouts/Help poor make it
Or
--- Lead Poor
------*Classism – tell poor what to do
------*Lead revolution/be like U.S.
------*Can’t challenge Poor
---Parallel: Men organizing women
------*Whites organizing blacks
------*U.S. organizing third world
-Function of Class Privilege/Position
---1. Mainstream success
---2. Counter culture and humanitarian movement and left
Classism
Nationalism
Eraism
Sexism
Racism
Agism
(In the form of a pyramid)

M.C.

W.C. Poor

Third World

Future Generation

(As you go up pyramid, there are more resources, space, time, leisure, books, and energy)
VI. Who Doesn’t Make It – Poor/Working Class
---Because:
------a. Can’t increase total world or U.S. consumption
---------*1. Resources and environment running out
---------*2. World politics – economics – military ( U.S. can’t steal more)
------b. U.S. power arrangements: Right M.C. vs. Poor and WC
---------*1. Political economic system maintains gap
------c. Capitalism creates material wants into false needs faster than they can be met while not meeting real human needs (happiness, health)
---------*1. Mores money will not bring more fulfillment or happiness
------------a. Inflation
------------b. Gap between rich and poor
------------c. False needs
------------d. False solutions
VII. Classism in Movement Strategy/Program
---Class background vs. classism
------- Everyone entitled
------- Living in privilege
------- Relating to lower classes with M and UC biases
---1. Why Don’t Poor, NW’s, Working Class join our movement? Where are they?
------- They’re struggling at day-to-day physical needs, work
-------Ex. Counter culture (herb tea, no meat, no sugar . . . money time to come here
---2. Help the Poor make it to Middle Class
------a. Handouts – Paternalistic/oppressive/too small
---------Ex. GTP
------b. elf-Help – (Help poor help selves)
---------- *Puts onus on poor – Do it yourself
----------* Blames poor rather than system
------------They need to change
------------(Ryan blaming the victim)
------c. Wage Increases
----------* Inflation – Poor can’t keep up (no power)
----------* Splits WC and Poor (union vs. non-union (majority of W.C.))
----------* Makes issue wages instead of control, work place, ownership. Puts workers in support of production / consumption – market and social system
------d. The World/ U.S. political economy/police system and limits to resources not allow U.S. Poor/WC to make it like MC movement and counter culture people
---3. Counter Culture/Simple Living
------- Good for M/UC but classist when laid on poor/WC
------- UMC challenging sexism
------- U/MC can’t voluntarily change class
------- Can change income but not class
------- Class is our being
_______________________________________________________________________________

RELATIONSHIP OF THE U.S. TO THE THIRD WORLD AND FUTURE
(in the form of a pyramid)

U.S. Ruling Class Third World

U.S. Upper Class Elite and

U.S. Upper Middle Class rest of

U.S. Middle Class 1 st and

U.S. Lower Middle Class 2nd

U.S. Working World

U.S. Poor

Never-to-be-Developed Nations

Future Generations (never to develop (exist))

______________________________________________________________________________

BAD MOVEMENT GOALS
- All U.S. growth
- Poor and W.C. -> middle class consumption
- Full employment/wage increases
- Guns to Butter
- Socialize U.S. but keep high consumption
- (in the form of a pyramid)

U.S.

Third World

Future Generations

Causing Factors of Present System
1. Power elite (rich and giant corps)
2. Capitalist system
3. All U.S. people
---- High material consumption
Change requires
---- End power elite
---- End capitalism
---- Change people and selves regarding conspicuous consumption
---- Change culture
_______________________________________________________________________________

This file was last updated on January 13, 2010.