Moving Masses

The house meeting is a basic component in community mobilization. This tool allows the organizer to speak on a private basis with potential supporters and activists. This is where all the different aspects of mobilization we have talked about, the rap, list building, etc. come into play. If we are truly serious about building political power and ideological unity then we must make it our business to speak with as many different members of the community as possible.

Setting up the house meeting is done with a high-pressure pitch. Normally calling someone up and asking if you can come over to speak with them about an important matter is the most direct of beginning the conversation. Organizers should not feel constrained to speak only with individuals they know. You never know who will get involved. It is best to let others make that decision for themselves. Our job is to tell them about what is going on. The following outlines the action steps each organizer should follow for setting up and conducting house meetings with in their community.

This idea of conducting meetings at the homes of individuals from the affected community is also a proven and time-honored method of education. The benefits of doing this are immediate and quantifiable. Meeting people where they are the most comfortable is important to their and your success. If they are allowed in the privacy of their own homes to ask unlimited questions surrounded by friends and family then we, as organizers are able to have more meaningful conversations with them about the issues we are organizing around. For most people opening up their house for an educational meeting is a strong first step toward involvement in any issue.

House meeting campaign run in 8 week cycles. During that time the organizer holds a series of meetings in peoples homes. These meetings should have somewhere between 5 - 8 people. It is organized in three parts personal visit, House meeting, Area meeting. At the end of four weeks a mini area meeting should be held where everyone contacted during that time are called and invited to the meeting. At this committees should be established, perhaps even working to recruit individuals who can begin holding house meetings on their own. At the end of eight weeks everyone contacted during the two month period should be contacted to meet and kick off the new campaign. After this a new eight week campaign should begin again.

This is the type of campaign where it is important to develop a rap for (1) personal visit, (2) the house party, and the (3) area meeting.

What to say to set up a personal visit

1. Thank your for agreeing to meet with me.
2. Urgent Situation needs your help.
3. Only with your help can we change the economic downslide of today’s government.
4. Need you to set up a meeting at your house with people that you know we can explain this urgent situation to them.
5. All over the city people like you are having meetings like this.
6. Conservative forces from around the state are working to mislead voters on economic issues. This affects our lives and our children.
7. Give details of moral misleading.
8. Just need a few people.
9. When and what time is good for the householder.
10. Meeting will be only one hour long. Refreshments at the end of the meeting.

Steps to a house party
1. Last for one hour with four parts: Rap, questions, what can you do and invitation to attend area meeting.
2. Each homeowner will invite between 3-6 persons for the meeting – no more than eight,
3. The rap will be given,
4. All questions will be answered,
5. Each person attending will be asked to do three things –
a. give money, b. have a house meeting, c. suggest other people who would be interested in having a house meeting immediately.
6. Everyone is invited to attend and help build for the area meeting.
7. All house-meeting attendees will be data based and contacted on a regular basis

Area Meetings
1. Half hour presentation will take place.
2. Attendees will meet with respective organizers.
3. Each attendee will be asked to join a committee.
4. Mobilization for Fall Event will continue.
5. Take reports from other cities.
6. Discuss the necessity of raising money.

Using this type of organizing methodology could make the idea of a national political party for Xicanos/Mexicanos in the United States a reality. Sooner or later we have to make that choice. Work for ourselves or someone else. Building power within communities is an intentional act of resistance. As resisters we pursue the realization of justice and as organizers we “swim like fish in the sea of the people.” We take from our oppressors by any and all means our acquiescence to their domination. It is not enough to explain the world where we live and struggle. We must re-determine our relationship to this world and rethink our struggle.

Don't let'em fool yah.

This just in from the West Coast. Latinos are the fastest growing population of registering voters. Huh? Who would have thought something like that? A recent article posted on the Daily Bulletin website titled Many Groups Recruit Latinos to Vote brings some important points to the discussion of a political party for Xicanos/Mexicanos and other Latinos in the United States. In part it states,

"There are an estimated 50,000 Latino voters in San Bernardino and Riverside counties who are not registered and many others who do not vote, according to Latino advocacy groups. 

Latinos could play a crucial role in determining not only who winds the presidency, but the fate of local races and ballot measures as well. 'It is very, very critical that we have a voice in being able to elect someone who can best represent our communities,' said Jose Zapata Calderon, a professor of sociology and Chicano Studies at Pitzer College in Claremont."

That is a lot of people interested in participating in the political process. Maybe not the exact process we want them to but participating none the less. We have to ask ourselves seriously - how many of them would work to build a party that represents the Xicano/Mexicano community in the United States. Think about the numbers quoted above. It is not a joke. 

For those of you out there shaking your head, thinking it could never happen consider these next few things. Recently a report titled "The Myth of Widespread Non-Citizen Voting" released by The Truth in Immigration organization has categorically refuted very serious allegations by the Heritage Foundation that "large numbers of non-citizens, including undocumented immigrants, are voting in federal elections and could be the deciding factor in November's elections"

The introduction of the report goes on to say the Lou Dobbs segment which broke the news of this "scandal" is based on a report for the Heritage Foundation written by a former recess appointed Federal Elections Commission (FEC) Hans von Spakosky, titled "The Threat of Non-Citizen Voting".

In brief, my point is this. Lots of people are taking the emerging possibility of a Xicano/ Mexicano political organization very seriously. Why don't we? 

What is a simple tool we can use to help our community get more organized? Face to face communication throughout the community about the issues facing us is an important step toward political self reliance. In order to have these beginning conversations we need something called a RAP.

While it may be obvious to you and members of your organization why the issue (or issues) you are working on are important that doesn’t mean everyone can automatically see the issue.
You have to write it down.
What are the main points?
What information is vital and what can wait?
More importantly what do the people in the community want to know?
What are their issues?
What are they talking about to each other?

Can you explain yourself in two minutes or less? When this basic declaration of your ideas and major issues are made to a person or group of people in a mobilization campaign it is called doing THE RAP. Without doubt this is one of the most important tools in any campaign and is a basic element in any organizing effort. 

It is an opening conversation that allows continuity in the communication/message. Often organizers, especially those just starting out, will develop a rap without even thinking about it as a necessary step. They just look it as “what they say to people to get them interested.” The key to success in any project is effectively communicating what you want to accomplish. That may seem a simplistic statement but think about how many conversations you have had in your lifetime where the words “what I mean by that was…” were used. Since we have already established that the political education and mobilization of the community is our primary objective. Clear and concise communication is required to make this happen. Since, community support is not generated overnight and comes only from methodically developing relationships over time and is an integral part of any mobilization campaign. 

You should have a short rap and long rap - something that gets right to the point.
It may seem simple but if no one knows what you are doing then how will you ever accomplish the change you desire. Open communication and transparency in your organizing efforts are important when working with people on a community grass roots level. This keeps the organizing and mobilization efforts you are undertaking with others from becoming isolated from the greater community you are working with. Working in the community is a privilege and a trust.

Communicating with others – Often, the greatest obstacle to successful mobilizing is our inability to effectively communicate about the issues facing the community. Change is all about people understanding each other and how their respective visions of the world work together. If you cannot speak to people in a meaningful way about the change you want that change will never happen.

Use language people can understand –Talk to people at a level you and they are both comfortable with. Inexperienced organizers often try to talk at someone else “level.” This is a mistake. It is arrogant and elitists. What usually ends up happening is “talking down” to people. Big mistake.

Communication demands respect for others – Listening to one another creates respect. The dysfunctional relationships in society we are organizing against stem from lack of communication and respect. This is particularly true in gender power dynamics – people are constantly interrupting each other – constant interruption is a sign of disrespect and a sign you aren’t talking the person talking serious.

Listening is a form of communication – When you take the time to really listen it does a number of things. First, the respect and empathy that you feel for others is immediately recognized. Individuals and groups you are assisting will take your listening approach as a sign of solidarity and willingness to work on the needs of the community from their perspective.

Talk to People - Articulating to others the group's goals will help more clearly define the vision for you and for those listening. The more you do it the better you'll get at delivering your message, and the more powerful the message will become.

Listen To People - Be open and listen to how others respond to the articulation of your vision. You'll know by their response if they understand and support your vision and goals. Use this feedback to make modifications if required.