Last weekend the conversation on facebook about my previous posts took a turn. We are in an emotionally charged time and misunderstanding are everywhere. One of my neighbours has unfriended me over what I consider a complete misunderstanding about what I am saying about how to oppose populist dictators, should you happen to have some in your country. So let me be clear about two tactics tactics: resist and connect.
Last week we were out in Tofino hosting a three-day leadership workshop on dialogue with sixty people, most of whom were from the Port Alberni and west coast area. In the room were leaders from Hupacaseth, Toquaht, Ahousaht, Hesquiaht, Tsehshaht and Tloquiaht First Nations and Councillors from Ucluelet, Tofino and the Alberni-Clayoquat Regional District. Additionally there were citizens, non-profit workers, community foundation staff, scientists and small business people in the room. It was the kind of gathering that everyone is always saying “has to happen.”
I have been spending my Saturday inside watching a bit of soccer and engaging with Donald Trump supporters on twitter. You might consider that a waste of time. I loved the soccer (Tottenham survived a thrilling FA Cup scare) and I learned some stuff about Trump supporters, and I think I have one strategy that might be worth trying.
Over the past week I have witnessed many of my American friends wrestling with the demand for loyalty to the president of the United States. I recall this sentiment being very alive in the weeks after 9/11 as well; no matter how you feel about his politics, it is your patriotic duty to support the president. This sentiment was absent during the Obama years for the most part, with the exception of Democrats trying to hold Republicans to account. But partisanship is free from consistency. What is good for the goose is not at all what is to be expected …
In 2014 I ran an Art of Hosting training in Istanbul with a number of friends. Many of the people we were working with were people that had taken the energy and intentions of the 2013 Gezi Park occupation and had spread that out through democratic forums to the neighbourhood parks throughout the city and in places like Ankara to help people discuss events and organize to look after their neighbourhoods. One day we joined a peace protest on the Galata Bridge and later that evening we gathered in the fish market for dinner, not far from Taksim Square. Walking …