What does Obama mean for activism?
What does Obama mean for activism?
Greenpeace has no permanent allies or enemies, and we don't endorse political parties or politicians. We're just as ready to praise Bush for protecting more of our planet's oceans than anyone in history as we are to condemn the Obama administration if they move ahead with plans for nuclear power.
But something needs to be said about what the election of Barack Obama means for the core of what we do: activism.
George Bush tried to shut down Greenpeace, when Attorney General Ashcroft took out the first felony prosecution against a non-governmental organisation in US history, rather than prosecuting individual activists, in response to a Greenpeace vessel blocking a shipment of illegal timber from coming into port in Miami. Bush tried to make activism synonymous with terrorism, and proposed laws which would have meant jail for many of the people who fought for civil rights, against the Vietnam war, or any of the many times in US history when people have taken to the streets in non-violent struggle.
George Bush was an enemy of activism.
Barack Obama is its product.
He took the oath of office yesterday because a woman named Rosa Parks broke the law. He is president today because people marched in the streets. He was able to take the oath of office because millions of people made an individual decision to do something about injustice, rather than let it ride.
Obama was a community organiser. His inaugural speech not only mentioned non-violent struggle in its opening paragraphs, it carried the message that it's "up to everyone" -- the very message we as campaigners and activists trumpet.
Obama comes to office bearing promises that deliver on activist campaigns from human rights to civil rights to health care to women's rights. And most of all, he comes to office accepting the challenge that Greenpeace laid down in 1989 -- that America do something about climate change.
Politics is compromise. Activism is not. It's up to all of us -- around the world -- to hold Barack Obama to his promises, to bear witness to the environmental crimes that threaten our planet's future. To speak out against injustice, to take individual action, to take to the streets if necessary, and to continue to ensure that long arc of history bends toward justice.
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Comments
That's true.I think that protecting environment can't be achieved without the participation of governments especially the USA as great power & as you know, Greenpeace can't do its job although if it has all the abilities without the help of governments.This is why I believe that we must get together & work together to ensure the safe life that we wanna live.
Posted by: Tayebi Abdellah | January 21, 2009 6:57 PM
Hi Brianfit,
Thank you for your saying : "Politics is compromise. Activism is not.", it will help
me to go right in future.
What do you mean by :"George Bush was an
enemy of activism.Barack Obama is its
product."????
Sincerly
Posted by: Mata | January 22, 2009 8:09 PM