This week’s chapter is the Twenty First Century Radical Rhetoric. There are ten observations for understanding the rhetoric for contemporary activists. They include our rhetoric as anti authoritarian meaning there is no hierarchical power structures no leaders exists, just organizers and facilitators. Promotes diversity because they see each diversity as beneficial and highlights many experiences, knowledge’s and actions. It is idealistic and prefigurative because we use our words to create protests, demonstrations or writing to symbolize a movement like feminism or gender equality. It is multi historical because every person comes from diverse backgrounds and has their own story. We look to multiple stories not just one to find an answer. It is also anti representational because everyone’s voice can be heard not just one rhetoric and can represent reality from or narrative. It privileges complex interrogation since we often come to an agreement not just a final answer. We communicate our knowledge’s, cultures and struggles to come to that agreement. It can be symbolically powerful as well because just our actions can symbolize so much more and motivate people to take that same action. It can be confrontational so we can speak the truth to power and justify all unfit forms with aggressiveness. Visionary describes our rhetoric since we can achieve these visions of our future with self determination and a collective support. People describe our rhetoric as self righteous and self critical, using only our selfish thoughts, we want to change the world only from our view. There are answers we think are perfect, but is only perfect for us , our time and place.
Now going to my next point of mending the rhetorical gap. We must first specify our audience to communicate to actual people about our point or issue giving us something to work with. Next make the adjustments to adapt to how your audience sees this topic. What are there needs or how can you appeal this to them? Grab their attention. Then, name and explain your rhetoric; why you’re doing what you’re doing and explain your reasons of actions. Explain the importance of your collective argument using the ten observations we talked about earlier. You also have to make more observations and share them. While doing this be respectful and keep in mind that not everybody sees it the way you do. But overall be honest and use supportive criticism with strong feedback. Finally you must take personal responsibility for your rhetoric so you can eliminate the need for rhetorical leaders.
Network rhetoric is for activists of the same age or time sharing a way of thinking through communication. It’s composed of multiple and decentered messages, dialogue with those messages and formulation of a public statement or action. Examples of this would be protests, spokes councils or social forums where everyone with a common interest or concern speak to each other.
You can also improve your network to make it more appealing and intelligible by first creating a rhetorical frame using perhaps a slogan or statement that ties it all together. Create mental image in the peoples mind for this topic and have it be concrete. Use categories to manage those connections through explaining to people how they are connected and highlighting the key points on what makes them connected. Finally strive for clarity and accessibility. Clarify the intentions and make sure they are not confused so you do not alienate them.
The new form of activism, neo-radicalism has 5 steps for developing its agenda. They include anti authoritarian activism, standing up for your beliefs and trying to change the world. Activists communication, communicating towards a better world by not just your pint of view but from others. Even if it includes observing they’re communications and improving yours. Communication and reality, use your communication as a tool to create that reality. Find that relationship. Next, western philosophy. Social change is apart of human nature, humans are the creators of that change and you must understand it. Finally we have visionaries, people who envision a improved reality whether it be a free self determined reality. We see the future and what steps we must take to get there.
