#radical tools

[resourcesforradicals]

Rules, how we use them and why they might not be as helpful as we think they are.

The really key part of this for me:

Rules need to be accompanied by an awareness of power If the same dynamics that led to the power imbalance in the first place are still active, then something deeper is needed. Hand signals, group agreements and safer spaces policies can be great aids to help us participate in groups and access shared spaces. And, to make them more effective, they need to be accompanied by a collective awareness of how power flows amongst us in groups. I think that would help us create more sustainable, resilient & vibrant groups who have a genuine understanding of, and respect for, their own diversity. 

I’ve seen so many people who critique power relations in other spaces just ignore the ongoing power dynamic issues in meetings. Watch yrself <3

[resourcesforradicals]

I rag on Waging Nonviolence a lot, but the advice in this piece about keeping your head above water is pretty sensible ✊

[resourcesforradicals]

I'm an Anarchist and I Vote

What does it mean for people on the left, who often don't believe in elections or the governments they empower, to engage in the electoral process on practical terms?

Voting as harm reduction.

[resourcesforradicals]

"Fighting the state is hard enough without navigating a maze of middle class entitlement." Always good to find a piece on "class privilege" that acknowledges class struggle against capitalism as being a structural fight, whilst also targeting the entitlement of unreflective tools.

[resourcesforradicals]

Security Tips Every Signal User Should Know

Here’s how to maximize the security of your most sensitive conversations — the ones that could be misinterpreted by an employer; be of interest to snooping governments; or allow a hacker to steal your identity.

Phone security is one of the easiest digital securities to do nowadays!

[resourcesforradicals]

Racism in the UK only seems ~new~ if you’re white. Definitely second the advice about joining yr local anti raids group, or starting one yourself!

And speaking of anti-raids, the Anti Raids Network did a great post on building an anti-fascist culture post-Brexit.

[resourcesforradicals]

Some really helpful experiences being shared around burnout: what it can feel like, what causes it, and what we can do about it. (N.B. a lot of it assumes you have a ~choice~ whether you work on your issue or not, which may not speak to all experiences)

[resourcesforradicals]

We are in this to eliminate the exchange institutions that require financial commitments, but we still deal in the real world. If we are going to solve this issue in our organizations without making it a preoccupation, then we need to determine structures in the beginning that are going to solve the need before the circumstances become dire.

Overall a great analysis of why radical groups can find fundraising challenging. Their overall point is worth remembering: "create a unique plan for the organization that remains consistent over time" e.g. regular fundraisers, not just waiting until when you need the money to organise them.

Missed the opportunity to mention the more values-led fundraising that some non-profits do though.