What are you actually DOING to fight racists and Nazis? Take the pro bono pledge.
This weekend brought white supremacist marches, Nazi salutes, counter-protests and vehicular murder to Charlottesville, Virginia. You probably joined everyone from Orrin Hatch to Justin Trudeau in condemning it.
Now what?
You’re against racism. Good for you.
You posted your outrage on Facebook. A bunch of people who agree with you and are also against hate and murder liked what you wrote. Very nice.
You got upset when President Trump failed to denounce the KKK, Nazis, and white supremacists by name, decrying violence “on many sides” (although other White House spokespeople later did). Congratulations on being upset.
Still, what can you do other than tear your hair and rend your garments? Pour into the streets? Punch a Nazi?
You can take the pro bono pledge:
I offer my services pro bono to any group fighting hatred and intolerance.
I am a freelance editor and writer. If you are writing an op-ed or building a site to organize resistance, I offer my services to you for free. True, I’m pretty busy on my own work right now and already functioning as a volunteer CEO to a nonprofit, but this is important. I will contribute my time and talent until I’m overwhelmed. Just contact me here and ask for my help — use the words pro-bono pledge in your request.
Are you a social media expert? Take the pro bono pledge.
Do you build Web sites? Take the pro bono pledge.
Are you a carpenter? An Uber driver? A videographer? A lawyer? A mental health therapist? Take the pro bono pledge.
You probably don’t have the time or financial resources to quit your job and become full-time anti-hate activist or lobbyist. But you can help the people who do. If they had a ready supply of support and help from experts, maybe they could get more done, more quickly and effectively.
The least you can do is post on Facebook. This is a little more than that. And it might actually accomplish something.
If you take the pro bono pledge, post a link to it right here. I look forward to seeing your name.
Took the pledge. If anyone needs help with social media strat, copy writing, or field organizing let message me:
https://www.facebook.com/ElectSaatvikAhluwalia/
So I have offered my services to an LGBQT start up youth support group to help them set up, organize and execute strategic visioning in Manassas, VA .
100% in. Business Plan programs and review services: http://renegadeplanner.com
Thanks, Josh! I have taken the pledge. Free storytelling consultation for organizations fighting hatred and intolerance: how to tell your story to those you help – and those who help you.
http://storydynamics.squarespace.com/contact/
Josh:
How do we prevent the violence? Would not that be the basis of a better pledge? It appears that several sides in this sad story of hatred and intolerance advocate violence as the answer, while also fueling the hatred and intolerance themselves.
Even in your pledge you have two loaded words that scare me. They are “any” and “fighting.” I am sure you do not mean the first word and did not think enough about the second word.
Maybe this is better?
I offer my services pro bono to folks who stand against hatred and intolerance in a nonviolent fashion.
If I knew a way to stop the violence I would be supporting that. A worthy goal, but I don’t think we can succeed here without conflict.
Very sad and scary, indeed. (note another loaded word “conflict,” which you clarified in the previous sentence)
From the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.:
“…nonviolence is the answer to the crucial political and moral question of our time – the need for man to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to violence and oppression. Civilization and violence are antithetical concepts.” 1964 Nobel Peace Prize speech
Such a great idea, Josh. I take the pro bono pledge to coach any leader of an anti-racism, pro-diversity or otherwise progressive group. I already am doing pro bono planning and organizational development work for the University of Orange (http://universityoforange.org), a free people’s university in Orange, NJ that builds collective capacity for people to create more equitable cities. We believe that local action is the best way to make change that lasts.
100% in as well. If anyone needs assistance in research, strategy, writing, or editing, please let me know.
And thank you, Josh, for doing this.
I’ll offer my pro bono pledge, though I don’t know how useful this would be, and I don’t have any credentials I could really show for it.
But what I do have is around a decade of experience with 4chan, the sort of internet community that the alt-right unfortunately grew out of. Crucially, the sort of internet community the alt-right got it’s trolling tactics from originally. I won’t say I’ve seen all the tricks of the trolls, but I probably have seen most of them, and I’ve seen what generally gets them to stop and what only eggs them on.
I won’t pretend all the things I learned in late ’00s 4chan will still apply perfectly. The stakes were much different, the trolls were anonymous, and they certainly didn’t sit in the Oval Office. But fundamentally, much of the playbook remains the same.
If you want to know the likely line of attack the trolls might take to attack something you’ve worked on, I might be able to tell you ahead of time.
If you’ve already got an infestation on your hands, I can tell you what to avoid and what just might work.
If you’re just bewildered where this all came from and how a trolling culture develops and turns cancerous, I can certainly give background and my opinion.
You can contact me at eudaimonist@protonmail.com
Sounds like what you can offer would be extremely useful!!!
I take this pledge in offering any proofreading or editing that an organization needs. People can contact me through my blog site, https://www.facebook.com/buildingdiversebookshelves.
I like this idea. I’m a writer, editor, and (lately) a massage therapist. I will gladly do this work pro bono for people fighting for social and racial justice.
https://twitter.com/jamilaxon/status/897301399385636865
I don’t know how a consultant and executive coach can help, but if I can, count me in: http://www.jacobscomm.com
This is a great idea! I’m in to assistpeople fighting for racial and social justice. Can help with writing, editing, communications.
I offer my social media or communications strategy services pro bono to any group fighting hatred and intolerance. I’m pretty swamped working between two projects but I’m will do what I can when I can.
Writing, editing and SM strategy. Thanks for doing this.
Hi Josh, I am not a writer, but I do graphic art. Happy to help if I can.
Thisjenw@gmail.com
I’m in. Writing, social strategy & sharing, community-building, message development & coaching, speaker training. Thanks so much for doing this.
Speech Writing. Project Management. Some graphics. Presentation (both development and delivery). Desktop publication (Indesign).
Here to offer outdoor “flag” signs, banner stands, tents or indoor display marketing tools at cost. Tax & freight additional or can bill third party. Pro bono design services for any items ordered.
I’ll pledge my free build/optimize services on a WordPress website, as well as ongoing support. Just tap me.
I handle PR and social media for clients. I’m happy to donate time to organizations fighting this that need help.
I’m in. Part-time PR person, part-time teacher. News releases, talking points, articles, whatever is needed.
I’m in. Database, data import, data conversion.
The entire Buoy Up team is down with taking this pledge for Buoy Up consulting services. Great idea. http://blog.buoyup.org/2017/08/15/taking-the-pledge-against-hate-and-intolerance/
I take the pro bono pledge to help with creative for ad campaigns against hatred and racism, including pro bono help to those working on same.
I’m in. I’m a writer and editor with social media experience. I take the pro bono pledge to help groups craft messages, copy-edit and proofread the same, and make suggestions on social media strategies.
I do social media strategy and messaging; I also have run for office; Im a local elected official and can help with campaign plans and field plans
I’m a work-from-home telephone research interviewer. I offer my services pro bono to any group fighting hatred and intolerance.
Count me in. I’ve worked as a telephone interviewer and can man phone banks. Also, I’ve had broadcast voice training and can do voiceovers.
I’m in
https://twitter.com/whatsnext/status/899662516577554434