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Socrates & Justice

It is useful to obey laws. Benefits include a good reputation, public accolades, avoiding punishment, etc. It is easier to obey and gain a favorable reputation if you are wealthy. In Ancient Greece, instead of facing the wrath of the Gods, rich patrons could make sacrifices with their money. Money seems to absolve wrong-doings. Yet, the poor are often shamed if they get caught up in the law. The economic disparity between these groups reflects the advantages of being rich. Plato discusses disparity in his ‘city’ analogy in The Republic. He describes a “healthy city” that is cooperative and laws are not essential. Money is also no concern as, the people each pull their weight so that everyone can reap the benefits. Then, he introduces the “feverish city” which is characterized by inequality, war, and desire. Another philosopher suggests, in the feverish city, citizens act ‘good’ for selfish reasons. People seek to gain a good reputation and avoid punishment. Naturally, the wealthy can steer clear of punishment with their money. Perhaps, they pay someone off, or make a healthy offering to a Goddess.

Does this remind you of contemporary America? A wealthy person, with no previous political experience, is our commander. A small group of people withhold the majority of wealth in the U.S., while the rest work, and often live in poverty. Perhaps it is time to revisit the ‘good’ that is good itself, true justice. We could elect politicians who support what is just and beneficial to all.

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The problem runs deeper than we think

Contemporary social movements desperately needs to gain political leverage. Electing movement representatives in government encourages change. We are currently witnessing the revival of the Nazi movement, 70 years after the demise of Adolph Hitler in World War II. It is time to rethink representative democracy and infiltrate government with grass root movements.  

These are the remarks made by President Donald Trump following Charlottesville protest, which turned deadly when a white Nationalist, Alex Fields, charged the protestors in his car. Trump fails to condemn white Nationalists, one example of the administration’s corruption. Instead, Trump places blame on both parties, despite the progressive’s peaceful demonstration. 

“I think there is blame on both sides,”

“You had a group on one side that was bad. You had a group on the other side that was also very violent. Nobody wants to say that. I’ll say it right now.”

-President Donald Trump

Published by the New York Times, 15 August 2017.

Authors: Michael D. Shear, Washington and Maggie Haberman, New York.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/15/us/politics/trump-press-conference-charlottesville.html

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Opinion

August 2017, white Nationalists gathered to protest the removal of a statue that portrays a Civil War era Confederate icon in Charlottesville, Virginia. Black Lives Matter members attended the protest and faced horrendous violence. White Nationalists, members of the Ku-Klux-Klan, and Neo-Nazis directed violence at the anti-statue activists. The destruction caused by the agitators resulted in the death of a young female activist. Such tragedies imprint themselves on the collective conscious. Deadly protests reflect the urgency of the addressing inequality in the U.S.. I envision a makeover of representational democracy. Voters could elect representatives of social justice movements and realize progressive change. Intersectional grass root movements can win elections, and democracy will transform.

Brynlie Sage Johnston 

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Meet the Maker

Name: Brynlie Sage Johnston

Age: 21

Major: Classical Studies

Favorite president: John F. Kennedy Jr.  

Thoughts on 2017: I think it is important to participate in local government and enact change on a small scale.  

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Cropped photograph of President Donald Trump’s twitter profile. October, 2017. 

https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/897223558073602049?lang=en

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Title of an article from NBC online. August, 2017. 

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/trump-takes-heat-blaming-charlottesville-violence-many-sides-n792096

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Pin that says “Feminist” on it. Red Hook, New York 2016. Photo by Brynlie Sage Johnston. 

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Sticker celebrating 100 years of Planned Parenthood fighting for women’s reproductive rights. Above the sticker is a months worth of birth control, available at Planned Parenthood to all women. Kingston, New York 2016. Photo by Brynlie Sage Johnston. 

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Resistance rally following the nomination of President Donald Trump. New York City, 2016. Photo by Brynlie Sage Johnston.  

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Micah White on the role of contemporary activism in politics

Discussing: The ideological shift in modern activism that favors leaders of modern social movements pursuing leverage in politics. Engagement in protest alone dooms present-day movements. Rather, protest in addition to participation in local politics is an effective means of changing government policy from the inside out.  

Speaker: Micah White PhD

Occupation(s): Author, activist, founder of the Occupy Wall Street movement 2011

Salient points:

During the Civil Rights Era, the job of the activist was: To mobilize individuals in support of a cause and, in effect, attain sovereignty over the established government.

In 2017: Our ability to capture sovereignty no longer exists.The far-left falls short of effecting political revolution.  

Contemporary protest is fundamentally broken and revolution is unrealistic.

The solution is to hold demonstrations and elect movement representatives who will transform how political power functions.

Advice for contemporary activists:

Build social movements that can win elections!

Devise practical ways of derailing the system such as participating in local government.

Vote! Vote in local elections, vote in presidential elections, vote when you are given the opportunity to vote.

Intersectionality mobilizes oppressed groups of people and is beneficial to all progressive social movements.  

Take away message:

American social movements of the Twenty-First Century operate within a political climate that threatens the collapse of democracy. It is crucial for modern activists to direct their attention to winning elections and renewing government. Rather than solely expressing contempt for President Donald Trump on social media, run for office and effect change from within the belly of the beast.  

Follow White on Twitter: 

Photograph of White’s public Twitter profile, 2017.  

https://twitter.com/beingmicahwhite?lang=en

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Curtesy of the US National Archives: Photography from 1963 March on Washington.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhuSyFHGes0 

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Photo by Marion S. Trikosko.  Aug. 28, 1963, Roll 10347, frame 23. //hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/ds.04002

Library of Congress: https://blogs.loc.gov/picturethis/2013/08/march-on-washington-1963-many-new-photographs-digitized/

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Lead image: USN&WR article “The March—Gains and Losses” Sept. 9, 1963. Photo by Marion S. Trikosko, Aug. 28, 1963, Roll 10347, frame 22. //hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/ds.04001

Library of Congress: 

https://blogs.loc.gov/picturethis/2013/08/march-on-washington-1963-many-new-photographs-digitized/

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People march in solidarity at the 2015 People’s Climate March, New York City. Photo: Brynlie Sage Johnston 

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President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the 1964 Civil Rights Act as Martin Luther King, Jr. and others look on.East Room, White House, Washington DC, on 7 February 1964.

Source: Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

Photo: Yoichi R. Okamoto

MLA style: "Martin Luther King Jr. - Photo Gallery". Nobelprize.org. Nobel Media AB 2014. Web. 14 Oct 2017. <http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1964/king-photo.html>

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Zephyr Teachout on protest and politics

Discussing: The relationship between protest and politics during the Civil Rights era. Zephyr discusses the legacy of highly politicized movements in the 1960s. Demonstrations during the Civil Rights era set the status quo: the politicization of social movements. Rather than standby while corrupt politicians write legislature, modern progressive movements must infiltrate the government with their own representatives.

Speaker: Zephyr Teachout

Occupation(s): Political activist, American academic, and former political candidate

Argument: That contemporary activists should get involved with local government. Protest alone, is no longer efficient and should be supplemented with movement representatives seeking out governmental positions.

Salient points:

Zephyr cites Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” as a pivotal example of civil disobedience. The letter talks extensively about the intolerance and corruption in America. King’s letter expresses a distrust of politics that resonates with us today, in 2017. King’s words are a reminder of the intimate relationship between politics and social movements.

Protest can be political if movements prioritize effecting larger change in society instead of self-interest.

The tension between the government and the self must be resolved in order to actualize a movements’ goal.

Successful movements engage in dialogue, rather than monologue.

Contemporary movements must shift their attention to securing government positions.

Protest alone is no longer a viable means of accomplishing change.

Highly politicized movements should select representatives to run for local office.

Real change occurs when public policy is revised from within government.

Take away message:

The highly politicized Civil Rights Movement inspired monumental wins for Civil Rights. However, many modern social movements fail to politicize their cause and get involved in government. The success of current movements relies on activists organizing protests and ALSO political campaigns.  

Follow Teachout on Twitter: 

Photograph of Teachout’s public Twitter profile, 2017.  

https://twitter.com/zephyrteachout?lang=en

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President Lyndon B. Johnson (left) and Martin Luther King, Jr. in a meeting at the White House, 18 March 1966.

Source: Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

Photo: Yoichi R. Okamoto

"Martin Luther King Jr. - Photo Gallery". Nobelprize.org. Nobel Media AB 2014. Web. 14 Oct 2017 <http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1964/king-photo.html>