Author: Nick Licata
Title: Becoming a Citizen Activist
Publication Info: Seattle, WA : Sasquatch Books, [2016]
Summary/Review: A Seattle city councilor provides ideas, strategies, and practical advice for how any citizen can effect positive political change in their communities. It includes tips on how to deal with elected officials as well as demonstrating a cause to the public at large. I read a library copy, but this is such a practical manual it would be handy to have my own copy to refer to.
Favorite Passages:
“Politicians often know what the right thing to do is, but unless there is an organized constituency to put pressure on other public official, they may feel they don’t have enough support to get legislation passed. The role of a citizen activist is to coax politicians to have the courage to pursue their own beliefs.” – p. 20
“Citizens often find that the biggest obstacle to change is government inertia. It is difficult to wrestle with, because its reluctance is couched in soft general terms and processes. But government hesitation will often melt away if opposing parties agree to a common course of action. This is why it is important to talk to your opponents. You need to think of how to work with them to overcome a common antagonist; often it is an unresponsive government.” – p. 31
“The lesson for all activists is that you need to have a dual-prong approach to changing the political landscape: being in the streets protesting arouses the public, but afterward quiet organized efforts are needed to get your supporters elected to office so that they can actually change the laws.”
Rating: ****
Panorama of the Mountains 