Study Group with LaTosha Brown: Organizing Around a New Narrative: Strategies for Shifting the Narrative and Building Political Power through Storytelling and Strategic Messaging *Harvard ID Required*

***Harvard ID Required***

America’s political landscape is shifting in ways that threatens democracy. We are currently witnessing: the shifting of the perception and function of the Executive Branch, the increasing over-reach of Presidential powers, the politicization of the Supreme Court, the intentional reduction of the role of federal agencies in state oversight, an increased polarized Congress based along party lines, and the stacking of the federal courts with conservative ring-wing judges. What is the role of citizens in protecting and creating democracy during this political moment?

We are bearing witness to the passage and implementation of deeply troubling policies, state sanctioned acts and legislation that impact the civil and human rights of immigrant groups, women, people of color and the LGBTQ community. In light of these political changes, we must ask ourselves several critical questions: 1.) How do we implement innovative practices and new political organizing models to reverse this trend? 2.) How do we reinforce and expand America’s commitment to democracy? 3.) How does the lack of civil discourse between people from various backgrounds and different political ideologies impact the future of democracy in America? And most importantly, 4.) what is our individual responsibility to protect democracy during this political era?

Week 6: Organizing Around a New Narrative: Strategies for Shifting the Narrative and Building Political Power through Storytelling and Strategic Messaging

We are currently in an era where people are receiving information and developing political ideologies through non-vetted social media outlets, political soundbites, and opinion based news networks. Trump and white nationalist groups have effectively built a base of supporters by propagating false information, making up sensational conspiracies and theories based in fear and not fact. How are the progressives and conservatives using narrative as an organizing tool for building a populist movement? What are the distinctions and similarities? Through my organizing work with Black Voters Matter Fund I will share several effective strategies around shifting the narrative of voters in the South and Black voters that have proven to be both effective and transformative.

Guest: Tarana Burke (Founder, Me Too Movement and Civil Rights Activist)