What I learned from Dan
First and always – Follow The Rules.
Working class people are never surprised by The Rules, they have always learned and lived a version of The Rules.
Don’t ever defend or explain the rules to those in power.
Actions speak louder than words. Money talks, bullshit walks.
Keep Sun Tzu in your pocket while you rage against inequality.
That little book will guide strategic thinking about seeking the truth, pursuing what’s winnable, and winning or holding power for the community.
Call them out in public, whether the emperor has no clothes or is dressed in fine fashion.
Talk about their wealth. Talk about their decisions.
If you make it personal you and others will spend a lot of time cleaning up the mess.
In spite of Fred Ross’ axiom, not all organizing work is 90% ears and 10% mouth.
There is a time and place to be out in front asking questions advantageous to the community.
Your Contact List matters. Even though phone books, landlines, and postcards are things of the past, you can still build a list of people who expect and trust your communications.
Don’t count on going viral. Build your list. The list is more powerful and completely different from social media “reach”.
Ride the bus and rent a nice car when you need one – like Lincoln Continental nice.
I don’t pretend to be done learning from Dan.
Glad to have more to learn.
