IX. Some Pitfalls To Avoid
What can go wrong? A variety of things can cause your group to
become a hassle or a burden to you and the campaign you are actually trying
to win. These obstacles can also force you to close up shop.
(A) Taking on too much -- Work with in your means. Do little
bits at a time. Build up your strength and reserve. All too
often groups fall apart because they try to start the revolution today;
it's not that easy.
(B) Monopolizing on the issue or the area -- if another group forms
to work on the same issue and they wish to work separately from yours,
don't stand in their way. As long as the groups can work together
in coalition and don't undermine each others' work, there is strength and
political power in numbers. Also, don't try to be the representative
for an entire urban area. For example, if you are from the LA, but
your community is South-Central, encourage folks in Long Beach, San Fernando,
and Orange to start their own groups too. Reasonably, at this stage
in the game, each group should seek to represent no more than a community
of 5000 people (or a five mile diameter). Even though your group
may be the first, that shouldn't give you the mandate to be the only one
or even the principal one.
(C) Disruption -- if you believe in abolishing the wage system, you
challenge the powers that be. If you challenge the powers that be
you are a potential target for repression, either by outright or covert
disruption. But don't panic. You can prevent danger by knowing
what can happen. There is plenty of literature about COINTELPRO and
passed attempts at disruption and infiltration. Talk to another activist.
Don't let it prevent you from organizing. Remember, the more of us
there are, the harder it's going to be to stop us.
(D) Dis-empowerment / Sexism / Racism / Authoritarianism / Cult of
Personality -- if your group's power, resources, and responsibilities aren't
shared as equally as possible, then your group will most likely not function
effectively. If you do not police yourselves against dogma, sexism,
and racism, you will most likely disempower those members most effected
by such things. If you or another dominates your group, you don't
have an action group, you have a cult of personality. All such things
will hamstring your efforts to accomplish your goal. Remember it's
not about you. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
The IWW is not a centralist organization.
(E) Lack of communication -- Communicate regularly with your membership.
Meet often; publish updates and mail them to your entire mailing list;
stay in contact even through difficult or inactive times. The more
you do this the less you will have to reinvent the wheel when the action
heats up. Also, be sure you share ideas as much as possible; teach
new people the ropes. Pair up new members with veterans. That
way if folks burn out, others can take their place for a spell and give
the others a chance to recharge their batteries. You will keep more
members in good standing as well by doing this.
(F) Complacency -- Don't start cruising if you win a small victory.
Don't fold your tent if you win the campaign. This rotten system
has to be taken out by its roots. That will take much time and energy
and lots of committed individuals and groups.
(G) Discouragement -- If the going gets tough, don't pack it in.
Take a break if necessary, but stand your ground. No one said it
would be easy. You will lose many battles, and perhaps even entire
campaigns. But from defeat comes enlightenment. If you honestly
evaluate the issues and your efforts, you will get a better understanding
of the way things are, and you will learn how to more effectively work
in the future. Don't Mourn, Organize!
Previous
Page 
Return to
Index Top of This Page
Next Page