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Action: Protesting in Professional Attire on September 15th |
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This Saturday, September 15th, thousands of activists will march on Washington. The Seminal staff will be among them, dressed in professional attire.
A lot of activists treat protests as spaces where they can act out an alternative vision of society, especially through clothing, hairstyle, and body art.
We stand in solidarity with our fellow protesters and the millions of Americans who will be present in spirit on Saturday. We do not think individuals' choices of self-expression will undermine the protest's goals. But we believe that a professional appearance will be more effective in projecting seriousness and determination to the administration, and more effective in swaying the opinions of those who are on the fence about the war.
Some might object that dressing provocatively challenges the status quo that gave birth to the war. This perspective has value: certainly it is worthwhile to push back against the elements in our culture that have permitted the war's continuation.
Unlike many other political battles, though, the battle for greater freedom in appearance has largely been won in American society. In terms of what kinds of appearance it expects from its members, our society is tremendously less formal and constrictive than it was fifty or sixty years ago. This victory, however, has meant that alternative styles of dress have lost much of their political impact. Styles are no longer always connected to distinct movements - sometimes, nowadays, they are simply styles. A Mohawk does not mean in 2007 what it meant in 1977, and long hair on a man does not mean what it meant in 1967.
In 2007, moreover, protesters who use alternative modes of self-expression may leave themselves more vulnerable to the danger that the media will portray them as marginal fanatics who do not represent "real Americans."
Dressing professionally will communicate two ideas to audiences. Firstly, it will symbolize our ease in speaking the language of power. Professional attire is associated with business and politics, but neither of these domains belongs exclusively to the Right, or even the mainstream. Our critique of power will gain added force when we appear calm, intelligent, and articulate. Like it or not, all of those things are associated with professional appearance and presentation.
Secondly, professional attire sends a signal to the community of protesters. Professional attire is associated with organization and, of course, with professionalism. As activists labor to end the war, and as we look even beyond the war's end to the goal of building a more just society, we have to keep these concepts in mind. The simple act of dressing professionally may help us to feel more professional, more organized, more in charge.
Anyone who is interested in joining us at the protest is welcome to email us at seminal@theseminal.com.
Let's end this war!
I think that's a good idea. It may not be too effective, but at the very least, it shows that protesters aren't a bunch of goddamn hippies.
In the (unlikely) event of media coverage at street demonstrations, presenting an image of protesters who "look like average Americans" –problematic but relevant— gives credibility in the public eye to the ideas with which they align themselves.
Cheers.
You have my full support here in Vancouver Canada, stick it to the man!
For those who are interesed in joining us, email me at seminal@theseminal.com to meet up. Rides and housing can be arranged at http://road2dc.com/
Clever approach. It makes it more difficult for people to dismiss the message because they don't like the messenger. Unfortunately most everything in America is judged by the "packaging" and not the content- from the people we elect to the food we eat. A protest march is no different.
Everyone will still know you are stinky hippies because of the time-honored hippie tradition of not bathing!
I've always thought that protesting dressed up as a jester was really bad communication.
Dress is a form of communication where you really need to be talking the same language as your audience. If you attempt to speak truth to power dressed up as a jester then they'll miss the message and only see the jester's outfit.
I like it. My sister deals with a lot of politicians, lobbists, and environmentalists - although she roots for the environmentalists, her consistent comment is "Come on, buy a freaking suit that fits and act like you deserve a place at the table." Keep it up.
The sandals and Givenchy will be a dead give away.
Although I appreciate the intent of this protest, since when should people be judged solely on the basis of what they are wearing?
That seems shallow and inauthentic. Do we really want to buy into capitalism's dress code? Or shall we freely express ourselves and dissent?
This is true. However, the idea is to use a tool of mainstream society to make our point.
Basically, there is a level at which hippie/protest culture gets so removed from the mainstream that most people, especially those in power, simply can't relate to it on any level. By using the tools of the mainstream to make the same point as other protesters, we are hoping to open up the conversation and make a statement that hits a bit closer to home. If politicians looked out their windows and saw thousands of citizens that looked just like them protesting the war, that might send a powerful message they couldn't ignore.
I'll be objective here and try to give an example for you guys to take into mind.
In the sixties me and my lib hippie buddies were always discounted by the establishment because of our dress.
Once we started showing some class and still maintained some sort of a groomed look we were taken seriously.
Image projects intent.
So you must decide if you want to stay true to your roots or get to the table and talk in physical uniform with the mind taking the lead.
Its called hustling, play the game and go home when you are done and put on your jeans.
Or you can come as you are, and maybe leave the same way.
Nothing gained but an expression of self.
Pride or results ?
That's definitely a key question. I would say that for myself and Ish, we're not quite the hippies some may imagine by reading this blog. We're comfortable with the mainstream, and though we rarely wear suits, we do own them.
Basically, we're not being truly untruthful when we wear them. We're not really playing dress up.
But in a sense, it is a bit of a hustle. We are trying to make a statement and step out of our bounds a bit.
Now comes the bias part.
I think the left is getting looked at as more radical than its ever been since Vietnam. We were a strong voice,
but not the main reason the war ended. We preached non violence and nobody would take us seriously because of the generalization we carried. We got so frustrated, things got violent and so we lost more credibility.
If I were you ( and you know I'm a righty)I would go as sharp as possible. Show you mean business.
I guess you could say that you are in sense applying for a job.
please email me my free suit and tie. thanks!
i like this approach very much. it sounds like a sincere hustle, if that is possible. for one thing, you are sending a message of acceptance to "the suits," which makes them more likely to listen. secondly, you show that you are willing to negotiate without attempting to debase their values. in fact, it is possible to win this argument negotiating purely on the basis of status quo values. thirdly, you are doing much needed PR work for the anti-war movement. i commend you and wish i could be there myself.
The job interview comparison is very apt. And we'll be dressed up sharp, slacks, shirt, tie, and jacket.
I really think it would be more effective if impeachbush.org would rally a march or demonstration where people go to their local court house or government building. Imagine first of all how many people would go to the march in washington if they could afford to. The reality is that most people can't afford to unless they live close by. Now, imagine how many people WOULD go to their local government building and demonstrate. It would probably heavily outnumber the amount going to washington for the march. If people in every state and major city and a large number of small towns and cities had a demonstration on the same day for the same cause rallied "together" the media and our elected officials would probably take much more notice. Thats just my suggestion. Speaking of. I tried to contact impeachbush.org with this suggestion and have found no email address on their site. I suppose I could send a letter to their donations address. However, I would rather have a means of contact with them that was more focused on suggestions or ideas. I understand they probably have good reasons not to post an email address but it sure would be helpful. Anyhow, this post was not made to downplay what you guys, anyone else who goes and marches, or impeach.org is doing. I am fully behind it. I just think strength is in numbers and know that if I could afford to myself I would be at the march as well and that I am definitely not alone in that.
J-ro ! Are you one of the 160 that got popped ?
babbyshane, a similar kind of thought actually occured to a few of us yesterday as we were thinking of ways to make protests more effective. Demonstrations in state capitals would send a message to Congress, and that's really who we should be trying to influence. Bush isn't going to change his mind.
And no, I wasn't arrested. Those that were arrested were part of the "die-in," which wasn't something I was interested in doing…
Suits dont do well in jail.
But honestly I didnt want to see you gat locked up
No, they don't.
I'm not necessarily against getting arrested in civil disobedience, but you have to be very thoughtful as to how you do it and what message you are sending. It wasn't the right time or place for it for me.
Well, I'm glad you didnt choose to "die in" the capitol.
I'm on the right as any frequent vistor knows.
But just alone on the topic of protest.
A lack of co-ordination I think has tarnished the image of the protest.
You had more than one message or the same message being put forth in different manners and expressions.
The 160 that got popped at the "die in" kinda put a bad face on the whole thing.
And the media would be partly to blame because that was the meat and pretty much the only thing you hear about in the news. If it all had gone down without incident the public may not of been so dismissive about it.
Once people start getting locked up the general public tells themselves "oh look at those crazy fuckers, at it again"
You dressed up so as to be taken seriously.
I think a few others screwed it up for you.
Then again, I wish I was there with my side to tell you all how misguided you are.
I think we agree here. There is a lot protesters from either side could do to make themselves more effective…but that's a topic for another post. (and it will be coming…)