Read on Twitter
Having to convince friends and relatives that not all the climate movement is *like this* is one thing, but I seriously believe this action reveals some fundamental flaws in XR's theory of change and strategy, so here goes: https://twitter.com/XRebellionUK/status/1326445483464777728
1. XR's actions are defined by *shocking* messaging that catches people off guard for a few seconds. Firstly, if your goal is to change people's minds on climate change, to get them to conceptualize is as vividly as you do, there are better ways in which to do so...
... for example, the history of union organizing has produced a wealth of resources on how to have these kinds of conversations, known by labour organisers usually as 'structured organising conversations'. They take work, but at least they do, you know, work.
Resources! Any of @rsgexp's books are a great place to start, but check out these quick guides https://www.aft.org/sites/default/files/preparing_building_reps_for_the_organizing_conversation.pdf and https://www.labornotes.org/sites/default/files/22AnOrganizingConversation_0.pdf
2. If your strategy depends on "telling the truth", then tell more of it. Climate change is the symptom of our economic and political structure (not going to go into this now). Help people connect the dots between their lived reality and climate change, using a frame like the GND
3. But, really, I don't think XR want to do that. Their strategy is not about building a mass movement, but mobilizing 3.5% of the population. They don't try to appeal to the majority because, in their eyes, they don't have to.
4. This isn't only reflected in their actions (blocking the tube etc), but their organization. As far as I know, XR haven't made a clear effort to organize with workers in high-carbon sectors, or those communities in struggles over housing and public services.
These struggles are climate struggles! Ensuring people have insulated homes, quality jobs in low-carbon sectors (inc care work), and access to services like transport are the bedrock of decarbonization. They also create solidarity and collective power, not confusion and mistrust.
5. But, again, these actions do not correlate with XR's strategy, which doesn't seem to involve targeting the material base of society. I think this could derive from a reading of history that sees a few individuals changing ideas, rather than changing structures of power.
XR, you're discrediting the work a lot of people in the climate movement are doing, please listen when valid critiques of your strategy are put forward: https://collectivists.net/2020/03/03/xr-do-you-love-the-world-enough-to-help-build-a-broad-based-movement/ and https://medium.com/insurge-intelligence/the-flawed-science-behind-extinction-rebellions-change-strategy-af077b9abb4d and https://www.vice.com/en/article/mbm3q4/extinction-rebellion-xr-is-shaped-by-middle-class-white-people-it-does-not-serve-people-of-color
Reminder that working class, intersectional action on climate does happen: https://cooperationjackson.org/announcementsblog/buildingatransitioncity, https://jacobinmag.com/2019/03/green-new-deal-union-organizing-jobs, https://theecologist.org/2016/nov/02/lucas-plan-how-greens-and-trade-unionists-can-unite-common-cause, https://www.jacobinmag.com/2017/01/richmond-progressive-alliance-elections-chevron-steve-early (and many more)
