Ideas for a new, unexpected turn of events
We are facing a long Trumpian winter. A dramatic regime change occurred in our own lifetimes, not by coupe de etat. Not by invasion. We can critique neo-liberalism, the role of the Russians, one constituency or another that didn’t perform so well for Hillary.
The fact remains that major shifts in power relations have occurred. It is difficult to even comprehend. On the one hand we see the increasing hyper nationalism accompanied by authoritarianism and xenophobia in many advanced and advancing countries. On the other hand we have the resurgence of what has been labeled The New Confederacy, a coalescence of avowedly racist formations and individuals along with the intolerant religious right and the most reactionary section the Republican elite — fossil fuels extractors, banking and finance, defense, parasitic real estate speculators, and other anti-labor behemoth corporations.

It is not surprising that many of us who have made up the backbone of the progressive movement were caught off guard. At that moment when Bernie Sanders lost and the campaign became a battle between Hillary and Trump, we should have joined in a broad nationwide effort to defeat Trump. Because we have been invested in a no holds barred fight with neo-liberalism, we did not adjust quickly. We were not nimble. We did not pivot.

It should be noted that almost none of the progressive movement in Chicago went out to do battle against Trump on Election Day. We have two city-wide organizations who aspire to advocacy for the concerns of the oppressed in Chicago – Reclaim Chicago and the United Working Families. Both abstained from leadership against Trump. Many of the IPOs also had difficulty recognizing the Trump threat for what it was. Traditional left wing organizations either had few troops to throw into the breach or abstained out of purist concerns. Not for profit community groups are shackled by their funding restrictions.
Even in these days of post-election of shock, a similar lack of direction maintains. The spontaneous, righteous protests are not really led or organized. In a sense, this is as it should be. The common people in their thousands are collectively wise. The million woman march on Washington as well as local activities against Trump are necessary and to be stoked and supported to the max.
The question arises “Why do we, the organizers, not hear the drum beat at the grass roots and why can’t we have an open mind to respond quickly and forcefully?
Here I make a pitch for a vision of locally based Independent Political Organization. We in the 12th ward are no further ahead nor are we lagging in the rear of effectiveness. Though we have contributed noticeably in electoral upsurges – most notably Bernie Sanders, Theresa Mah, and Chuy Garcia, we are far from the mighty force that we need to be.
We have two approaches that I want to advocate: long term locally-based political organizing and a united front attitude.
In the 2016 presidential, we took to the field as we would in any effort to support a local champion. We were not deterred by the argument that Illinois is a Blue state and therefore the effort doesn’t make any difference. We wanted to be visible and convivial at each polling place, standing as leaders for an embattled constituency that overwhelming against Trump, anxious about his draconian threats, particularly around deportation. We emphasized precinct leadership with our members who live in the precincts where they organize.

Guess what? Our election day – despite the grave setback on a national level – was a success. We wanted each of the 23 polling places to be a small demonstration of neighborhood unity. We were very successful at half a dozen locations and visibly present with our own palm cards and DUMP TRUMP stickers at a 12 others. The movement in Chicago don’t currently have the organization or the people power to do precinct level organizing but that is a north star direction for our work.
The second key to remember is United Front. At this time in history, petty turf wars, funding jealousies, historical political differences – these hinder our unity as we are face such an unprecedented onslaught. Issue by issue consider if you are strong enough to inject the correct demands within a united front. We don’t need to be the leaders of every effort. Within the ranks of the Democrats there are individuals and political figures who, for many reasons, see the need for unity. At the core of the resistance will be the organizations of those populations who have been singled out for vile treatment – immigrants, all people of color, women, special needs populations, gays and lesbians etc. To the extent that we can articulate a leading line and bring troops into the field, we can emerge as leaders. We can be the dog and less stable allies can wag like a tail.
We have practiced united front tactics in our 12th ward work. We supported our Democratic committeeman who ran against a Rahm acolyte. We were part of preventing the Rahm wing from its push for total hegemony in the party. We also crafted a message for Election Day that stretched a wide tent to include both Greens and true Blues on our flanks – maintaining IPO unity with the DUMP TRUMP slogan.
There is no cookie cutter. Our experience in the 12th ward is in certain ways easier than in wards where the class and nationality composition is not so homogeneous. In some wards measures to alleviate the burden of the lower rungs of the working class are not universally popular. Everyone has to determine the local version of the anti-Trump agenda. And do it the hard way, by immersing and integrating over the long haul with people in their daily lives – whether that be in precincts as we do, in unions, in special interest causes. We have to go the streets yes. And go to the broad populace to achieve political, social, cultural hegemony for resistance. If we can’t create strong, exemplary zones of political power in the abandoned streets and byways of the Rust Belt, what other course is there?