This semester I’m taking a Social Movements course with the esteemed Professor David Cunningham. I’m trying to take insights from his class and apply them to Brandeis.
He’s talking about the Montgomery Bus Boycott and how the participation of churches meant so much. One reason – churches had an established hierarchy with leaders. Instead of organizing and convincing every churchgoer, organizers had to get the organic leaders in the community (the ministers or whatever) on board, and then the congregations, which already liked and trusted those ministers, were much more likely to follow along.
At Brandeis, we have no such similar network. We’re so transient that we have a dearth of established, respected leaders, that people are comfortable following. Every campaign has to start from scratch.
What do you think? Is this analysis true?
Or Jason Gray with the Student Union.
I agree. Sometimes we have strong club leaders with loyal followings, but it’s rarely for more than a year. Matt Schmidt of SEA and Aaron Voldman and Julia Simon-Mishel of SPA come to mind.