Reply #206: Social movement leaders are action liberals too.

[Radical Activist]

Even Martin Luther King had to raise money, network, and sometimes sit down to make deals with people he disliked. That's the reality of it.

You should have included the next paragraph about movement liberals.

They frequently over­indulge in fine whines, appear naïve about political realities and prefer emotionally satisfying gestures to incremental but significant change.

I certainly see a lot of people on DU who are more interested in gestures than action.

I believe the distinction is one of experience and knowledge. On one hand, there are people who have been leaders to some degree in politics or movement activism and who understand the mechanics of how progress happens.

On the other hand you have people who have only been involved without becoming leaders, or who are outside observers such as journalists and academics. They typically have naive ideas of how even their own heroes were able to make change. They may participate in positive actions, but never become effective strategists or organizers.

The best activists I know maintain their ideals while engaging in the dirty work of both electoral politics and movement activism. They understand that setbacks and compromises are temporary, while the push for more always continues. They have a long-term perspective that comes with knowledge, experience and wisdom. It separates them from the armchair pundits who may never gain the first-hand knowledge that comes from being an organizer.