9780141996974

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‘I was fascinated by The Persuaders – it’s changed my view on the way we can (or can’t) change people’s minds’ ‘An engaging and provocative study of the dangers of political purity … it is, well, persuasive’

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‘Giridharadas proves how senseless it is to lambast ideological opponents, especially when they’re actually goodhearted and persuadable. Reassuringly sane, it shows people are often less hardline and more conflicted than they seem’ IRISH TIMES, BOOKS OF THE YE AR

‘An incredibly hopeful book … Every now and then, I come across something that makes me think in a completely new way, and this was one of those times’

ANAND GIRIDHAR ADAS THE PERSUADERS

E R I C A WAG N E R , N E W S TAT E S M A N

The Persuaders WINNING HEARTS AND MINDS IN A DIVIDED AGE ‘Reading it I felt something I hadn’t in quite a while: a tremor of hope’ Patrick Radden Keefe

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TH E P E RS UAD E RS ‘The Persuaders provides the urgent wisdom we need to fix our broken world. It is a call for an army of persuaders – the teachers, listeners and peacemakers willing to take the necessary risks to have a working society again. In a culture where everyone we disagree with is written-off, Giridharadas asks us to write our neighbours, friends and family members back into our lives. This is the book every reader needs now, because we need each other more than ever’ Min Jin Lee, author of Pachinko ‘A handbook for defending democracy’ CNN ‘Giridharadas has already established himself as a major chronicler of one of our great divides – the disparities of income and opportunity that undergird American plutocracy. Now he turns his attention to another kind of gulf, one that’s just as endemic and dangerous: ideology. It’s one thing to diagnose and quite another to offer real solutions, but in this wide-ranging and profound book, Giridharadas explores real strategies for bridging these divides by finding a language in which we can speak to one another and persuade. Reading The Persuaders, I felt something I hadn’t in quite a while: a tremor of hope’ Patrick Radden Keefe, author of Empire of Pain ‘At the heart of The Persuaders is an immense spirit of generosity.

With clarity and nuance, Anand Giridharadas paints portraits of people who are pushing the boundaries of traditional political paradigms and whose work serves as a clarion call for all of us to imagine a new set of political possibilities. It is both a challenge and an affirmation.

This is a guidebook to a better world’ Clint Smith, author of How the Word Is Passed ‘I was profoundly moved by The Persuaders. It is full of counterintuitive wisdom for repairing a broken world. In a cynical and hate-filled culture, what would it take for us to become persuaders?

The beautifully written profiles are affecting and urgently needed because our world can no longer wait’ The Sydney Morning Herald, ‘Best Books of 2022’ ‘This vivid, sweeping, provocative book is a group portrait of the activist Left, enhanced by the author’s interviews with progressive superstar New York’s Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Giridharadas’s tone is soothing, his anecdotes colourful, his agenda is fiery’ Oprah Daily, ‘10 Must-Read Political Books’

‘So unique, and so compelling . . . The book injects nuance and humanity into debates and dilemmas that are all too often fatalistic and cynical. The Persuaders brings its subjects to life, portraying their successes and struggles in a way that manages to leave the reader with a sense of solidarity and hopefulness, a conviction that the project of democracy is not lost, and an inspiration to get to work’ Adam M. Lowenstein, The American Prospect ‘I really encourage folks to go out and grab a copy of The Persuaders . . .

You’re going to see a lot of yourself in the book. And you’re going to see a lot of things that you thought you disagreed with and you’re actually going to agree with . . . and that is the beginning of opening one’s mind to what is not only true around you but what’s true within you, but about yourself.

And that’s some of the hardest reading there is’ Michael Steele ‘The Persuaders is the book we need right now. Giridharadas gets unmatched access to some of today’s most important movement-builders, and then explains how they’ve gotten more people to buy in to their movements without selling out. Persuading in a time of extremes is not easy, but Giridharadas proves it’s possible. Readers will walk away more optimistic and more capable of forging coalitions in their own lives and in the world’ Heather McGhee, author of The Sum of Us ‘Anand Giridharadas shows the way we get real progressive change in America – by refusing to write others off, building more welcoming movements and rededicating ourselves to the work of changing minds.

If you sometimes despair at America’s capacity to achieve the common good, this book is a welcome and inspiring tonic’ Robert B. Reich, author of The System ‘For all organizers out there in the world, people who want to go talk to real people and try to convert them, this is a must-read and it’s a playbook’ Faiz Shakir, former campaign manager for Bernie Sanders’ 2020 presidential campaign ‘The Persuaders is an urgent call to think more clearly and more creatively about how we communicate the perils and possibilities of this time.

Drawing on conversations with activists and politicians, Giridharadas is urging all of us to work harder to bridge the chasms that seem to yawn open between us; he offers constructive ideas about how to reach those who may seem unreachable, but without whom we cannot begin to reach a more just, stable and equitable future. This is a generous and hopeful document, a rare and welcome beacon pointing us forward’ Rebecca Traister, author of Good and Mad ‘Illuminating . . . Efforts to persuade opponents instead of writing them off are probed in this searching study . . .

This is an incisive guide to the art of persuasion’ Publishers Weekly

‘Persuasion, Giridharadas effectively points out, is necessary for democracy to thrive. He offers strong stories and evidence that polarization and rigid ideology are not the brick walls they’re made out to be. While Giridharadas wrestles with contemporary issues, his inquiry has timeless qualities that transcend the news of the day in the hope of helping strengthen democracy for all time’ James Pekoll, Booklist ‘A sharp examination of how activists are working to build resistance to the many antidemocratic forces now at work around the world . . . A welcome, revealing study of how political messages can be shaped positively to counter both enmity and disinformation’ Kirkus Reviews

A B OU T T H E A U T HO R Anand Giridharadas is the bestselling author of Winners Take All. He is a correspondent-at-large for Time and was a foreign correspondent and columnist for The New York Times. He has also written for The Atlantic, The New Republic and The New Yorker. He is an on-air political analyst for MSNBC. He has received the 800-CEO-READ Business Book of the Year award, Harvard University’s Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award for Humanism in Culture, and the New York Public Library’s Helen Bernstein Award.

An a nd G i r i d h a ra das The Persuaders Winning Hearts and Minds in a Divided Age

P EN GU I N B O O K S

PEN G U IN B OOK S UK | USA | Canada | Ireland | Australia India | New Zealand | South Africa Penguin Books is part of the Penguin Random House group of companies whose addresses can be found at global.penguinrandomhouse.com

First published in the United States of America by Borzoi Books 2022 First published in Great Britain in Allen Lane 2022 Published in Penguin Books 2023 001 Copyright © Anand Giridharadas, 2022 The moral right of the author has been asserted Printed and bound in Great Britain by Clays Ltd, Elcograf S.p.A. The authorized representative in the EEA is Penguin Random House Ireland, Morrison Chambers, 32 Nassau Street, Dublin D02 YH68 A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library ISBN: 978–0–141–99697–4

www.greenpenguin.co.uk Penguin Random House is committed to a sustainable future for our business, our readers and our planet. This book is made from Forest Stewardship Council® certified paper.

For S. and H., Z. and J., M. and P., M. and J., A., and, as ever, P., in profound friendship

CONT CONT ENTS ENTS

PROLOGUE: PROLOGUE: THE WAR THE WAR ON PERSUASION ON PERSUASION

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3

1 “THE 1 “THE WAKING WAKING AMONG AMONG THE WOKE” THE WOKE”

15 15

2 CAN 2 CAN LOVELOVE CHANGE CHANGE A MIND? A MIND?

82 82

3 A3MOVEMENT A MOVEMENT THATTHAT GROWS GROWS

110 110

4 THE 4 INSIDETHE INSIDEOUTSIDE OUTSIDE GAME GAME

128 128

5 THE 5 ART THE OF ARTMESSAGING OF MESSAGING

203 203

6 THE 6 VACCINE THE VACCINE AGAINST AGAINST LIES LIES

254 254

7 MEANING 7 MEANING MAKING MAKING AT THE AT DOOR THE DOOR

279 279

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

319 319

INDEX INDEX

321 321

The Persuaders

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n June n June 2014, 2014, Aleksandra Aleksandra Krylova Krylova and and Anna Anna Bogacheva Bogacheva arrived arrived in the in the United United States States on aon clandestine a clandestine mission. mission.

Krylova Krylova was was a higha highranking ranking official official at the at the Internet Internet Research Research Agency Agency in St. in Petersburg, St. Petersburg, Russia, Russia, an ostensibly an ostensibly private private company company thatthat was was known known to work to work on behalf on behalf of of Russian Russian intelligence. intelligence.

Bogacheva, Bogacheva, her her roadroad buddy, buddy, a researcher a researcher and and datadata cruncher, cruncher, was was more more junior. junior.

Their Their trip trip had had beenbeen wellwell planned: planned: a a transcontinental transcontinental itinerary, itinerary, SIMSIM cards, cards, burner burner phones, phones, cameras, cameras, visasvisas obtained obtained under under the pretense the pretense of personal of personal travel, travel, and,and, just in justcase, in case, evacuevacuationation plans. plans.

TheThe women women made made stopsstops in California, in California, Colorado, Colorado, Illinois, Illinois, Louisiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Michigan, Nevada, Nevada, NewNew Mexico, Mexico, NewNew York,York, and and Texas, Texas, according according to to a federal a federal indictment indictment issued issued years years later.later.

Beyond Beyond that,that, theirtheir activities activities are are not not wellwell known, known, though though theirtheir mission mission is: tois:gather to gather evidence evidence of of conditions conditions in the in United the United States States for afor project a project to destabilize to destabilize its political its political system system and and society, society, using using the rather the rather improbable improbable weapon weapon of millions of millions of social of social media media posts. posts.

In their In their longlongsimmering simmering conflconfl ict with ict with the the United United States, States, highhigh officials officials in Russia, in Russia, like like theirtheir American American counterparts, counterparts, havehave a range a range of of toolstools of sabotage of sabotage available available to them. to them.

Many Many are regularly are regularly put put to use. to use.

But But in recent in recent years, years, the the project project Krylova Krylova and and Bogacheva Bogacheva worked worked on on was was a marquee a marquee effort effand ort and a standout a standout success, success, and and thatthat was was telling. telling.

TheThe investment investment in the in project the project seemed seemed to refl toect reflaect calculation a calculation by aby highly a highly capable capable foreign foreign intelligence intelligence service service that,that, of allofthe all vulnerabilities the vulnerabilities of of modern modern American American society, society, the particular the particular civiccivic attitude attitude thatthat the project the project

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sought sought to infl to ame, inflame, writing writing other other people people off—off assuming —assuming theythey would would never never change change theirtheir minds minds or ways, or ways, dismissing dismissing them them as hopelessly as hopelessly mired mired in identities in identities theythey couldn’t couldn’t escape, escape, viewing viewing those those whowho thought thought differently differently as needing as needing to betoresisted be resisted rather rather thanthan wonwon over,over, refusing refusing to to engage engage in the in work the work of persuasion— of persuasion— was was an Achilles’ an Achilles’ heel.heel.

ThatThat atti-attitudetude had had a hundred a hundred causes causes and and a thousand a thousand expressions expressions and and could could be be found found everywhere everywhere you you looked, looked, taking taking different different guises guises on the on left the and left and the right, the right, showing showing up among up among regular regular citizens citizens and and in the in marble the marble cor-corridors ridors of power. of power.

Americans Americans didn’t didn’t exactly exactly needneed outside outside helphelp to see to each see each other other in in these these ways. ways.

If anything, If anything, the the culture culture of the of the writewriteoff had off had become become a a rarerare point point of commonality of commonality across across otherwise otherwise irreconcilable irreconcilable factions. factions.

Nevertheless, Nevertheless, half half a world a world away, away, in 2013, in 2013, in St.inPetersburg, St. Petersburg, the Interthe Internet Research net Research Agency, Agency, or IRA, or IRA, was was founded, founded, and and it would it would soonsoon begin begin down down the road the road of amplifying of amplifying Americans’ Americans’ growing growing culture culture of mutual of mutual dismissal. dismissal.

It was It was set up setasupanasindustrial an industrial trolltroll farm, farm, where where workers workers werewere paidpaid to write to write blogblog posts, posts, comments comments on news on news sites,sites, and and social social media media messages. messages.

LateLate in the in summer the summer of 2013, of 2013, a joba posting job posting appeared appeared online. online.

“Internet “Internet operators operators wanted!” wanted!” it read, it read, according according to the to the independent independent newspaper newspaper Novaya Novaya Gazeta.

Gazeta.

“Task: “Task: posting posting comments comments at profi at profi le sites le sites in the in Internet, the Internet, writing writing thematic thematic posts, posts, blogs, blogs, social social networks.” networks.”

Plus:Plus: “PAYMENTS “PAYMENTS EVERY EVERY WEEK WEEK AND AND FREE FREE MEALS!!!”

MEALS!!!”

TheThe initial initial focusfocus of the of agency the agency was was swaying swaying Western Western public public opinion opinion about about Russia’s Russia’s military military intervention intervention in Ukraine in Ukraine in 2014. in 2014.

But But thatthat samesame year,year, the the agency agency launched launched a new a new department department called called the the Translator Translator Project.

Project.

Its bailiwick Its bailiwick was was to foment to foment political political unrest unrest in Russia’s in Russia’s greatgreat adversary, adversary, the the United United States.

States.

Krylova Krylova and and Bogacheva Bogacheva embarked embarked on on theirtheir travels travels thatthat yearyear to aid to the aid project, the project, conducting conducting theirtheir off-line off-line fieldfield workwork for use for online. use online.

Though Though the women’s the women’s expedition expedition had had somesome of the of glamour the glamour of traof traditional ditional espionage, espionage, withwith the throwaway the throwaway phones phones and and escape escape scenarios, scenarios, the the bulkbulk of the of the IRA’s IRA’s workwork was was more more mundane. mundane.

Hundreds Hundreds of workof workers toiled ers toiled in twelvein twelvehourhour shiftsshifts at the at the IRAIRA offices offion ces 55 onSavushkina 55 Savushkina Street.

Street.

They They received received detailed detailed instructions instructions about about the messages the messages theythey werewere expected expected to promote. to promote.

EachEach worker worker had had to manage to manage multiple multiple fakefake accounts accounts and and produce produce message message afterafter message message on each on each one— one— reportedly reportedly three three postsposts a day a day if Facebook if Facebook was was theirtheir medium, medium, and and fiftyfiposts fty posts a day a day

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on Twitter. on Twitter.

Managers Managers obsessed obsessed overover metrics metrics like like number number of posts, of posts, pagepage views, views, likes,likes, retweets. retweets.

TheThe office offiwas ce was organized organized intointo groups groups including including the Bloggers the Bloggers and and Commentators Commentators Office, OffiRapid ce, Rapid Response Response Department, Department, CEOCEO Department, Department, Creative Creative Department, Department, and and Social Social Network Network Spe-Specialists cialists Department.

Department.

LikeLike any any workplace, workplace, the agency the agency had had its discontents. its discontents.

A worker A worker might might be fibe nedfined for arriving for arriving late late or even or even for leaving for leaving the offi thece offi one ce one minute minute early. early.

There There werewere alsoalso complaints complaints about about the cutbacks. the cutbacks.

At fiAt rst,fiaccording rst, according to to workers workers interviewed interviewed by local by local media media outlets, outlets, there there had had beenbeen a relaxa relaxationation room room withwith sofas. sofas.

OneOne day,day, the sofas the sofas werewere gone. gone.

There There had had beenbeen paper paper towels towels in the in bathroom. the bathroom.

OneOne day,day, there there was was a sign a sign to use to fewer use fewer of them. of them.

Then Then theythey werewere gone, gone, replaced replaced by an byelectric an electric dryer dryer thatthat left left much much to betodesired. be desired.

Someone Someone toldtold a reporter a reporter of a of clogged a clogged toilet toilet bowlbowl covered covered withwith tapetape for two for two weeks. weeks.

Agency Agency employees employees whowho spoke spoke to the to the presspress generally generally saidsaid theythey werewere working working there there for the for money, the money, not not out out of ardor of ardor for Vladimir for Vladimir Putin.

Putin.

OneOne worker worker painted painted this this picture picture of one of one of the of bosses: the bosses: “Oleg “Oleg was was a a funny funny man.man.

Just Just imagine, imagine, a guy a guy withwith a belly a belly walks walks around around in a in denim a denim shirtshirt hanging hanging out, out, fiddling fiddling withwith the keys the keys to his tocar hislike car like a taxi a taxi driver, driver, and and saying, saying, ‘If a ‘If person a person knows knows howhow to write, to write, he will he will writewrite about about anything.’ anything.’ ” ” He wanted He wanted the troll the troll farmfarm to betoabe place a place where where truetrue artists artists of discourse of discourse toxifitoxifi cation cation could could unleash unleash theirtheir talent. talent.

NotNot everyone everyone whowho passed passed through through the agency’s the agency’s doors doors found found it soit so amusing. amusing.

Lyudmila Lyudmila Savchuk, Savchuk, a Russian a Russian journalist journalist whowho saidsaid she she tooktook a joba at jobthe at IRA the IRA to expose to expose it, later it, later recalled, recalled, “One “One can can remain remain sanesane in in the the factory factory for two for two months months maximum.” maximum.”

OneOne of the of the stresses stresses was was the the constant constant toggling toggling among among online online avatars avatars and and theirtheir views views and and voices. voices.

But But there there was was alsoalso a larger a larger dread: dread: “The“The realization realization thatthat you you can invent can invent any any fact,fact, thenthen watch watch it absolutely it absolutely synchronized synchronized withwith the media the media outlets outlets as as one one massive massive information information outfloutfl ow and ow and spread spread worldwide— worldwide— thatthat absoabsolutely lutely breaks breaks youryour psyche.” psyche.”

Savchuk Savchuk was was not overselling not overselling the agency’s the agency’s reach. reach.

In the In years the years ahead, ahead, its posts its posts would would attract attract 76 million 76 million engagements engagements on Facebook on Facebook and and 183 183 million million likeslikes on Instagram, on Instagram, and and it would it would sendsend more more thanthan 10 mil10 millionlion tweets. tweets.

Some Some postsposts werewere outright outright disinformation; disinformation; others others sought sought to whip to whip up anger up anger at the at truth. the truth.

Krylova Krylova and and Bogacheva’s Bogacheva’s trip,trip, and and the the larger larger Internet Internet Research Research

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Agency Agency project project it served, it served, would would eventually eventually become become public public knowlknowledge.edge.

At fiAt rst,fian rst,oversimple, an oversimple, if seductive, if seductive, storystory line line grewgrew up around up around it: the it: Russian the Russian mission mission was was a plot a plot to plant to plant Donald Donald Trump Trump in the in White the White House.

House.

“Yes,“Yes, Russian Russian Trolls Trolls Helped Helped ElectElect Trump,” Trump,” readread the headline the headline on aon Michelle a Michelle Goldberg Goldberg column column in The in The NewNew YorkYork Times.

Times.

TheThe subtitle subtitle of Cyberwar, of Cyberwar,

by Kathleen

by Kathleen HallHall Jamieson, Jamieson, director director of the of the Annenberg Annenberg Public Public Policy Policy Center Center at the at the University University of Pennsylvania, of Pennsylvania, was was “How “How Russian Russian Hackers Hackers and and Trolls Trolls Helped Helped ElectElect a President.” a President.”

Aiding Aiding Trump Trump was was indeed indeed among among the IRA’s the IRA’s documented documented objectives, objectives, and and this this fact fact gavegave rise rise to a to widespread a widespread public public perception perception thatthat electing electing Trump Trump was was the the focus focus of the of mission. the mission.

Some Some eveneven believed believed thatthat Trump Trump himself himself was was a a Russian Russian agent. agent.

For For many many rattled rattled by the by the 20162016 presidential presidential election, election, the the ideaidea was was tempting. tempting.

“For“For Americans Americans and and for American for American journalists journalists and and veryvery politpoliticized icized Americans Americans in particular, in particular, the story the story of Russian of Russian interference interference was was a really a really damaging damaging crutch crutch for the for imagination,” the imagination,” the Russian the Russian American American writer writer Masha Masha Gessen Gessen toldtold me not me not longlong ago.ago.

“It was “It was something something thatthat allowed allowed us tousthink to think about about Trump Trump as somebody as somebody fromfrom outer outer space, space, or or at least at least fromfrom Russia, Russia, as a as kind a kind of alien of alien body, body, but but alsoalso an alien an alien bodybody fromfrom which which we’re we’re somehow somehow miraculously miraculously going going to betoliberated.” be liberated.”

It It was was easier easier to think to think of the of country’s the country’s problems problems as being as being of foreign of foreign provprovenance, enance, an act an of actwar of war thatthat could could be answered be answered by doing by doing something something to to somesome electrical electrical grid.grid.

In time, In time, however, however, a more a more careful, careful, sobering sobering analysis analysis emerged: emerged: the the Russian Russian mission, mission, far from far from dropping dropping something something on America on America fromfrom outer outer space, space, had had beenbeen to fertilize to fertilize behaviors behaviors already already flourishing flourishing on American on American soil.soil.

“The“The IRA’s IRA’s goalsgoals are to arefurther to further widen widen existing existing divisions divisions in the in the American American public public and and decrease decrease our our faithfaith and and trusttrust in institutions in institutions thatthat helphelp maintain maintain a strong a strong democracy,” democracy,” Darren Darren Linvill Linvill and and Patrick Patrick War-Warren, ren, scholars scholars at Clemson at Clemson University University whowho became became leading leading analysts analysts of of Russia’s Russia’s campaign, campaign, havehave written. written.

“The“The IRAIRA has has usedused Trump— Trump— and and many many other other politicians— politicians— as vehicles as vehicles to further to further thesethese twintwin goals, goals, but it but it is not is about not about Trump Trump himself.” himself.”

An analysis An analysis given given to U.S. to U.S. Senate Senate invesinvestigators tigators portrayed portrayed similar similar goals: goals: “to undermine “to undermine citizens’ citizens’ trusttrust in govin government, ernment, exploit exploit societal societal fractures, fractures, create create distrust distrust in the in information the information environment, environment, blurblur the the lineslines between between reality reality and and fiction, fiction, undermine undermine

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trusttrust among among communities, communities, and and erode erode conficonfi dence dence in the in the democratic democratic process.” process.”

When When I began I began to read to read the Russian the Russian postsposts myself, myself, I saw I saw eveneven more more clearly clearly howhow the troll the troll farmfarm had had gonegone about about this this work. work.

It had It had donedone more more thanthan fan the fan flthe ames flames of anger of anger and and division. division.

It had It had encouraged encouraged the view, the view, already already on the on the rise,rise, and and not not without without rootsroots in reality, in reality, thatthat the the basicbasic activity activity of democratic of democratic life, life, the changing the changing of minds, of minds, had had become become futile futile work, work, which which in turn in turn fed fed the the feeling feeling thatthat vitalvital political political pursuits— pursuits— of of solidarity solidarity across across difference, difference, of multiracial of multiracial coalitions, coalitions, of united of united fronts fronts against against authoritarianism— authoritarianism— and and other other endeavors endeavors to create to create the the condiconditionstions for meaningful for meaningful change change werewere doomed. doomed.

TheThe trolltroll farmfarm wanted wanted Americans Americans to regard to regard eacheach other other as immovable, as immovable, brainwashed, brainwashed, of bad of bad faith,faith, not not worth worth energy, energy, disloyal, disloyal, repulsive. repulsive.

“The“The IRAIRA knows knows thatthat in in political political warfare warfare disgust disgust is a is much a much more more powerful powerful tooltool thanthan anger,” anger,” Linvill Linvill and and Warren Warren havehave written. written.

“Anger “Anger drives drives people people to the to the polls; polls; disgust disgust drives drives countries countries apart.” apart.”

I I

n 2018, n 2018, I published I published a book a book about about howhow the superrich the superrich corrode corrode democdemocracyracy by hoarding by hoarding wealth, wealth, buying buying political political influence, influence, and and using using the the guise guise of doof gooding do-gooding to cast to cast themselves themselves as the as the solution solution to the to the veryvery problems problems theythey continue continue to cause. to cause.

TheThe bookbook made made a case a case for meaningfor meaningful structural ful structural change change through through the the organs organs of democracy of democracy and and against against billionaire billionaire pseudopseudochange. change.

ThatThat workwork led led to my to my interest interest in people in people working working to deliver to deliver this this meaningful meaningful change change through through electoral electoral politics— politics— in activism, in activism, commucommunitynity organizing, organizing, and and campaigning. campaigning.

As IAs began I began to follow to follow theirtheir work, work, I I sensed sensed theythey werewere up against up against more more thanthan just just the powerful the powerful forces forces I hadI had chronicled. chronicled.

They They alsoalso confronted, confronted, within within theirtheir ownown spaces, spaces, the chalthe challenge lenge of a of pessimistic a pessimistic and and factional factional political political culture culture thatthat threatened threatened theirtheir greatgreat ambitions. ambitions.

Their Their work— work— for racial for racial justice, justice, for afor humane a humane economy, economy, for for planetary planetary sustainability— sustainability— required required attracting attracting more more people people to a to given a given cause cause today today thanthan believed believed in itinyesterday. it yesterday.

But But the the reigning reigning culture culture oftenoften discouraged discouraged the work the work of changing of changing minds minds and and sometimes sometimes isolated isolated those those whowho pursued pursued it. it.

It seemed It seemed signifi signifi cantcant that that this this ginning ginning up ofupdiff oferences differences and and fatalism fatalism

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thatthat I sawI saw activists, activists, organizers, organizers, and and political political figures figures contending contending withwith was was the very the very habithabit seized seized on by onthe

by Russians. the Russians.

CC

rystal rystal Johnson Johnson is anisactual an actual person. person.

She She is a realis a realestate estate agent. agent.

I spoke I spoke to her to once her once on the on phone. the phone.

When When I explained I explained thatthat I wasI was looking looking intointo howhow her her identity identity had had beenbeen stolen stolen and and weaponized weaponized

by Russian

by Russian intelintelligence, ligence, she hung she hung up and up and stopped stopped answering answering my calls. my calls.

Johnson Johnson was was an occasional an occasional Twitter Twitter useruser given given to a to combination a combination of of real-realestate estate insights insights and and inspirational inspirational quotations. quotations.

“Resale “Resale homes homes salessales R up,” R up,” she wrote she wrote backback in 2012. in 2012.

“As we “Aslearned we learned fromfrom the recent the recent bubble bubble that that burst, burst, a healthy a healthy housing housing market market putsputs many many pairspairs of hands of hands to work.” to work.”

“Good “Good morning!” morning!” she wrote she wrote on another on another occasion. occasion.

“There “There is soismuch so much we have we have to betothankful be thankful for. Be for.Blessed Be Blessed and and continue continue being being a blessing a blessing to others.” to others.”

Heraclitus, Heraclitus, the the ancient ancient Greek Greek philosopher, philosopher, made made a cameo: a cameo: “The“The content content of your of your character character is your is your choice. choice.

DayDay by day, by day, whatwhat you you choose, choose, whatwhat you you thinkthink and and whatwhat you you do isdo who is who you you become.” become.”

And,And, as night as night fol- followslows day, day, the corporate the corporate philosopher philosopher Henry Henry Ford:Ford: “Coming “Coming together together is a is a beginning. beginning.

Keeping Keeping together together is progress. is progress.

Working Working together together is success.” is success.”

There There was,was, naturally, naturally, somesome selling selling as well: as well: “Interest “Interest Rates Rates are on arethe on the move: move: the biggest the biggest jumps jumps in months, in months, home home prices prices are on arethe on rise, the rise, it’s ait’s a greatgreat timetime to own to own a home. a home.

Contact Contact me now.” me now.”

These These tweets tweets camecame fromfrom an account an account withwith the handle the handle @CrystalSellsLA. @CrystalSellsLA. Its profi Its profi le photo le photo shows shows a Black a Black woman woman in her in her thirties thirties or forties, or forties, withwith shortshort blond blond hair.hair.

Crystal Crystal is smiling is smiling widely widely in the in photo, the photo, dressed dressed crisply crisply in a in black a black blazer blazer and and white white shirt.shirt.

She She looks looks like like someone someone you you would would trusttrust to find to fiyou nd you a home. a home.

In February In February 2012,2012, a Twitter a Twitter account account withwith the handle the handle @Crystal1Johnson @Crystal1Johnson began began to tweet, to tweet, and and it tweeted it tweeted precisely precisely whatwhat @CrystalSellsLA @CrystalSellsLA was was tweeting. tweeting.

It mimicked It mimicked all the all tweets the tweets mentioned mentioned above, above, to a to similarly a similarly small small audience. audience.

It had It had at the at the mostmost eleven eleven followers followers before before it took it took a a fateful fateful turn.turn.

Someone Someone was was digitally digitally cloning cloning Crystal Crystal Johnson, Johnson, without without apparent apparent purpose. purpose.

On the On fithe rst fiday rst day of 2013, of 2013, the real the real Crystal Crystal Johnson Johnson wished wished the world the world Happy Happy NewNew Year,Year, as did as did her her clone. clone.

It would It would be the be end the end of itsofmimits mim-

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icry,icry, though. though.

From From thenthen on, the on, clone the clone account account of @ofCrystal1Johnson @Crystal1Johnson unhitched unhitched itselfitself and and began began its career its career as one as one of the of the mostmost influential influential accounts accounts operated operated by the

by Internet the Internet Research Research Agency’s Agency’s trolltroll farm.farm.

More More thanthan a thousand a thousand daysdays passed passed withwith silence silence fromfrom the the copycopycat account cat account of @ ofCrystal1Johnson. @Crystal1Johnson.

Then Then came came the the second second week week in in December December 2015, 2015, a tense a tense one.one.

Trump, Trump, still still a relatively a relatively newnew presidential presidential candidate, candidate, had,had, during during a rally a rally in Mount in Mount Pleasant, Pleasant, South South Carolina, Carolina, pro-proposed posed “a total “a total and and complete complete shutdown shutdown of Muslims of Muslims entering entering the United the United States States untiluntil our our country’s country’s representatives representatives can can figure figure out what out what the hell the hell is going is going on.”on.”

ThatThat drewdrew the the firstfireal rst real suggestions suggestions fromfrom mainstream mainstream political political observers observers thatthat his campaign his campaign was was more more thanthan a curiosity a curiosity or aor a carnival, carnival, thatthat its overt its overt appeals appeals to bigotry to bigotry recalled recalled the the beginnings beginnings of of somesome of the of most the most dangerous dangerous movements movements in history. in history.

In the In the midst midst of these of these conversations, conversations, on on December December 10, 10, the the @Crystal1Johnson @Crystal1Johnson clone clone was was backback in action. in action. “#BlackLivesMatter,” “#BlackLivesMatter,” the account the account declared declared around around the middle the middle of the of day. the day. @Crystal1Johnson @Crystal1Johnson would would tweet tweet twelve twelve times times thatthat day,day, a major a major increase increase in frequency in frequency rela-relative tive to the to actual the actual Crystal, Crystal, and and in this in this noticeably noticeably different different vein.vein.

“KKK “KKK was was terrorizing terrorizing us decades us decades before before #ISIS #ISIS appeared,” appeared,” it thunit thundered. dered.

“But“But in America in America #KKK #KKK still still is legal!!” is legal!!”

Crystal1 Crystal1 alsoalso weighed weighed in oninaon television a television remake remake of The of The Wiz,Wiz, a play a play first fistaged rst staged in 1974 in 1974 in Baltimore in Baltimore as a as remix a remix of The of The Wizard Wizard of Oz, of with Oz, with an allanBlack all-Black cast.cast.

“So “So white white people people see #racism see #racism in aninall anblack all black cast cast but but not when not when black black people people are victims are victims of #policebrutality?” of #policebrutality?”

And,And, withwith the Muslim the Muslim ban ban in the in news, the news, @Crystal1Johnson @Crystal1Johnson tweeted: tweeted: “It’s “It’s a lie!a Muslims lie! Muslims will will never never support support Trump!”

Trump!”

A new A new and and different different Crystal Crystal Johnson Johnson had had emerged, emerged, this this one,one, it it seems, seems, run run out of outSt.ofPetersburg, St. Petersburg, uninterested uninterested in realin realestate estate advice advice or or inspirational inspirational offerings, offerings, instead instead offering offering takestakes about about America’s America’s deepdeeprooted rooted racial racial injustices. injustices.

It was It was a modest, a modest, lonely lonely effort effat ortfirst: at fion rst:that on that firstfiday, rst day, @Crystal1Johnson @Crystal1Johnson received received onlyonly a handful a handful of likes of likes and and appears appears to have to have acquired acquired a single a single follower. follower.

But But overover the the nextnext two two years, years, Crystal1 Crystal1 would would write write another another eighteight thousand thousand tweets tweets and and would would garner garner more more thanthan fifty-fisix fty-thousand six thousand fol- followers lowers in the in the process, process, putting putting her her in the in the top top 1 percent 1 percent of Twitter of Twitter usersusers globally. globally.

But But eveneven thatthat measure measure underplayed underplayed the triumph the triumph thatthat Crystal1 Crystal1 represented. represented.

By the By vital the vital signsign of “retweet of “retweet count”— count”— the numthe num-

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ber ber of times of times other other usersusers passed passed a tweet a tweet by someone by someone else else on to ontheir to their ownown followers— followers— Crystal1 Crystal1 was was the secondthe secondranking ranking Twitter Twitter useruser in the in the entire, entire, sprawling sprawling Russian Russian effort, effort, withwith somesome 3,752,129 3,752,129 totaltotal repostings, repostings, including including by other by other botsbots and and by legions by legions of actual of actual Americans.

Americans.

And,And, among among the the millions millions of tweets of tweets the the Russians Russians attempted attempted in their in their effort effort to undermine to undermine American American democracy, democracy, Crystal1 Crystal1 had had fourfour of the of top the ten, top ten, including including the top the spot, top spot, withwith this this tweet: tweet: “Daily “Daily reminder reminder thatthat the most the most educated educated FirstFirst LadyLady in American in American history history is a is black a black woman woman withwith two two Ivy League Ivy League degrees degrees fromfrom Harvard Harvard and and Princeton.”

Princeton.”

Linvill Linvill and and Warren, Warren, the the Clemson Clemson scholars, scholars, had had put put me me on to on to Crystal1 Crystal1 as anasexemplar an exemplar of the of IRA’s the IRA’s left-leftleaning leaning trolls. trolls.

But But theythey alsoalso recommended recommended thatthat I look I look intointo the the tweets tweets of another of another top top performer performer for the for the Translator Translator Project, Project, the the tenth tenth mostmost retweeted retweeted account account out out of of thousands— thousands— a righta rightleaning leaning trolltroll named named Jenna Jenna Abrams.

Abrams.

Jenna Jenna had had a diff a erent different set of set preoccupations. of preoccupations.

TwoTwo months months intointo tweeting, tweeting, withwith more more thanthan six thousand six thousand followers followers already already in her in camp, her camp, she she wrote, wrote, “Everyone “Everyone has has a beard a beard nownow and and I wonder, I wonder, is that is that #beard #beard trend trend connected connected withwith #ISIS #ISIS or just or just a coincidence?” a coincidence?”

In aIn few a few words, words, her her imagined imagined audience’s audience’s contempt contempt for cityfor citydwelling, dwelling, skinnyskinnyjeansjeanswearing, wearing, beardbeardsporting sporting hipsters hipsters was was married married to itstofear its fear of terrorism. of terrorism.

TheThe tweet tweet suggested suggested a shadowy a shadowy nexus nexus of diff of erence: difference: not not onlyonly werewere youryour fellow fellow citizens citizens unlike unlike you;you; theythey might might be inbecahoots in cahoots withwith jihadists. jihadists.

On another On another occasion, occasion, she sought she sought to meld to meld liberal liberal pro-prochoice choice attitudes attitudes withwith the the aversion aversion to war: to war: “Liberals “Liberals are brave are brave enough enough to kill to kill unborn unborn children, children, but but not not brave brave enough enough to kill to kill our our enemies enemies #LiberalLogic.” #LiberalLogic.”

She She alsoalso triedtried to frame to frame protest protest and and the measure the measure of accountability of accountability it it could could bring bring as dependency: as dependency: “#TamirRice’s “#TamirRice’s family family to receive to receive $6 mil$6 millionlion fromfrom Cleveland.

Cleveland.

That’s That’s the new the new era of erawelfares of welfares for the for Black the Black peo-people.”ple.”

AndAnd she took she took a swipe a swipe at the at chorus the chorus of arguments of arguments in the in culture the culture about about the systemic the systemic nature nature of racism of racism and and sexism sexism and and at the at “social the “social jus- justice tice warriors” warriors” whowho make make them: them: “A tip “Afor tipSJWs: for SJWs: not all notthings’re all things’re about about sexism sexism or racism, or racism, things things can can be just be just things, things, stopstop turning turning everything everything intointo an argument an argument for equal for equal rights.” rights.”

TheThe trolls trolls covered covered and and amplifi amplifi ed aedrange a range of ideological of ideological topics. topics.

TheThe analysis analysis provided provided to the to U.S. the U.S. Senate Senate identifi identifi ed “aedroster” “a roster” of social of social issues issues that that the Russians the Russians sought sought to make to make eveneven moremore salient salient in the in public the public conversation: conversation:

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culture/community culture/community issues issues • Black • Black brutality/Black brutality/Black Lives Lives Matter Matter • Police • Police police/Blue police/Blue Lives Lives Matter Matter • Pro• Prorefugee/immigration refugee/immigration & border & border issues issues • Anti• Anticulture culture • Texas • Texas culture culture (Confederate (Confederate history) history) • Southern • Southern movements movements • Separatist • Separatist issues issues • Muslim • Muslim issues issues • LGBT • LGBT culture/Red culture/Red Pill Pill • Meme • Meme rights/2nd rights/2nd Amendment Amendment • Gun • Gun Trump/AntiTrump/AntiClinton Clinton • Pro• ProBernie Bernie or Stein/Antior Stein/AntiClinton Clinton • Pro• ProParty Party • Patriotism/Tea • Patriotism/Tea rights rights • Religious • Religious American American issues issues • Native • Native Issues Issues • Veterans • Veterans News/Journalism/Media News/Journalism/Media • Local • Local But But whatwhat seemed seemed eveneven more more signifi signifi cantcant thanthan the the subject subject matter matter was was how how the trolls the trolls chose chose to talk to talk about about thesethese issues. issues.

OverOver and and over,over, theythey usedused the discussion the discussion of these of these topictopic areasareas to suggest to suggest to Americans to Americans a cera certain tain wayway of looking of looking at each at each other: other: as alien, as alien, menacing, menacing, and,and, therefore, therefore, unchangeable. unchangeable.

Crystal1’s Crystal1’s tweets tweets shared shared newsnews stories stories thatthat implied, implied, not incorrectly, not incorrectly, the the endemic endemic nature nature of racism. of racism.

But But this this veryvery real real problem problem was was oftenoften framed framed as aaslurid a lurid and and sensationalized sensationalized story. story.

“Awful!

“Awful!

White White people people usedused Black Black Babies Babies as Alligator as Alligator Bait,” Bait,” she wrote. she wrote.

On another On another occasion, occasion, Crystal1 Crystal1 tweeted tweeted about about the the veryvery real real unwillingness unwillingness of many of many white white people people to acknowledge to acknowledge the realities the realities of racism, of racism, but framed but framed thatthat skeptiskepticismcism in terms in terms that that made made it seem it seem essentially essentially unalterable: unalterable: “White “White people people can can see aliens, see aliens, Bigfoot, Bigfoot, the Loch the Loch NessNess monster monster but but can’tcan’t see racism, see racism, oppression oppression or white or white privilege.” privilege.”

While While Crystal1 Crystal1 identifi identifi ed real ed real probproblems,lems, there there was was a clear a clear sense sense of dissuasion of dissuasion fromfrom the idea the idea thatthat anything anything could could be done be done to change to change the minds the minds of people of people like that. like that.

In aIn diffaerent different way,way, Jenna Jenna alsoalso turned turned political political disagreements disagreements intointo conflconfl icts icts overover identity, identity, in tweets in tweets suchsuch as “New as “New study study conficonfi rmed: rmed: MenMen

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whowho are physically are physically strong strong are more are more likely likely to take to take a righta rightwingwing stance, stance, while while weaker weaker menmen support support the the welfare welfare state.” state.”

Here, Here, the the politics politics of of redistribution redistribution was was turned turned intointo something something more: more: a diffaerence difference in virilin virility. Men ity. Men whowho supported supported the state’s the state’s responsibility responsibility to help to help others others werewere weak, weak, flawed flawed in their in their veryvery being, being, not merely not merely theirtheir politics. politics.

In another In another tweet, tweet, Jenna Jenna framed framed support support for afor candidate a candidate as anasoutgrowth an outgrowth of a of lazia lazinessness that that fundamentally fundamentally separated separated you you fromfrom them. them.

“How “How do you do you starve starve Bernie Bernie Sanders’ Sanders’ supporters?” supporters?” she she asked. asked.

“Just“Just put put theirtheir foodfood stamps stamps under under theirtheir workwork boots.” boots.”

TheThe trolls’ trolls’ tweets tweets imbued imbued existing existing political political disagreements disagreements withwith a a sense sense of physical of physical disgust disgust thatthat made made engaging engaging withwith thesethese other other identiidentities ties impossible. impossible.

“What “What a time a time to betoalive! be alive!

Glitter Glitter armpits armpits is a is thing a thing now.now.

Congratulations.

Congratulations. #FeminismIsAwful,” #FeminismIsAwful,” Jenna Jenna tweeted tweeted one one day.day.

TheThe tweet tweet didn’t didn’t rebut rebut any any feminist feminist contention, contention, didn’t didn’t challenge challenge any any feminist feminist logic, logic, but attempted but attempted simply simply to plant to plant a bodily a bodily image image that that might might grossgross out aout certain a certain kindkind of reader. of reader.

Crystal1’s Crystal1’s tweets tweets also also framed framed politipolitical anger cal anger or outrage or outrage in terms in terms of disgust. of disgust. “ ‘Hail “ ‘Hail Trump’ Trump’ video video sickens sickens me! me!

It’s simply It’s simply disgusting disgusting to see to pure see pure fascism!” fascism!” she wrote— she wrote— again, again, not not wrongly wrongly in sentiment, in sentiment, but but presented presented in ainway a way thatthat did did not not exactly exactly encourage encourage the work the work of political of political persuasion. persuasion.

TheThe trolltroll farm’s farm’s efforts efforts to frame to frame Americans Americans of diff of ering differing views views as as being being foreign foreign Others Others seemed seemed designed designed to make to make people people wonder wonder if their if their fellow fellow citizens citizens werewere really really eveneven theirtheir fellow fellow citizens. citizens.

“Does “Does #Mississippi #Mississippi Gov.Gov. follow follow ISISISIS example??” example??”

Crystal1 Crystal1 asked, asked, casting casting a domestic a domestic political political figure figure as taking as taking inspiration inspiration fromfrom terrorists. terrorists.

Meanwhile, Meanwhile, Jenna Jenna tweeted tweeted thatthat President President Obama Obama was was “risking “risking the the liveslives of Americans of Americans to bring to bring his sunnis his sunnis in,” in,” casting casting the fithe rst fiBlack rst Black president president as someone as someone whowho wasn’t wasn’t simply simply a leader a leader withwith a diffa erent different political political philosophy philosophy fromfrom hershers but but someone someone commanding commanding an army an army of Muslim of Muslim Others.

Others.

She She also also felt felt that that a certain a certain presidential presidential candidate candidate had had views views in common in common withwith Saddam Saddam Hussein Hussein and and that that “Osama “Osama bin Laden’s bin Laden’s letter letter lookslooks moremore like like a Bernie a Bernie Sanders Sanders speech.” speech.”

A domestic A domestic difference difference about about economic economic philosophy philosophy was was thereby thereby twisted twisted intointo a physical a physical threat threat to your to your life. life.

Again Again and and again, again, in one in one wayway or another, or another, the IRA the IRA postsposts werewere sendsending the ing same the same message: message: These These people people are not are not to betotrusted. be trusted.

They They will will never never change. change.

They They are who are who theythey are. are.

AndAnd whowho theythey are is area is risk a risk to to youryour being. being.

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s tempting s tempting as itasmay it may be tobeview to view the Russian the Russian operatives operatives as instigaas instigators,tors, to witness to witness thesethese moves moves is toiswitness to witness a mission a mission of amplifi of amplifi cation. cation.

They They saw saw the the othering othering and and writing writing off from off from a distance, a distance, recognized recognized the the potential, potential, and and exploited exploited it. Init.between In between griping griping about about the the paper paper towel towel situation situation and and the the missing missing sofas, sofas, the the trolls’ trolls’ creators creators dashed dashed off off dozens dozens of tweets of tweets a day— a day— oftenoften thoughtlessly, thoughtlessly, oftenoften full full of mistakes, of mistakes, oftenoften copying copying and and pasting pasting words words found found on the on internet. the internet.

Their Their talent talent was was not inventiveness not inventiveness but rather but rather the faithfulness the faithfulness of their of their mimicry. mimicry.

For For in America in America in recent in recent years, years, this this fatalism fatalism has been has been on the on rise the rise and and the the hopehope of persuasion of persuasion in free in free fall. fall.

TheThe ascendant ascendant political political culture, culture, confrontational confrontational and and sensational sensational and and dismissive, dismissive, has has many many causes: causes: the the inflammatory inflammatory incentives incentives of of social social media; media; the cynical the cynical manipulations manipulations of billionaireof billionaireowned, owned, dividedivideand-andconquer conquer newsnews outlets; outlets; the the growing growing conficonfi dence dence and and voice voice of of onceoncemarginalized marginalized groups; groups; the very the very real real material material crises crises thatthat beg beg for for solutions solutions and and continue continue to remain to remain unsolved; unsolved; the frustration the frustration withwith howhow littlelittle milder, milder, kinder, kinder, more more civil,civil, more more hopeful hopeful politics politics has has delivered; delivered; the sense the sense that,that, absent absent a politics a politics of usofand us and them, them, the them the them will will continue continue to pillage to pillage the us. theFor us. For thesethese and and other other reasons, reasons, many many Americans Americans havehave grown grown alienated alienated fromfrom an idea an idea at the at heart the heart of democratic of democratic theory: theory: thatthat you you change change things things by changing by changing minds— minds— by persuading. by persuading.

ThisThis challenge challenge to persuasion to persuasion has taken has taken myriad myriad forms. forms.

Social Social movemovements ments thatthat needneed to grow to grow to win to win havehave oftenoften seemed seemed to devote to devote more more energy energy to keeping to keeping people people out out thanthan pulling pulling people people in. Political in. Political cam-campaigns paigns frequently frequently receive receive advice advice to focus to focus on mobilizing on mobilizing sympathetic sympathetic voters voters more more thanthan winning winning overover skeptics. skeptics.

People People havehave watched watched as tens as tens of millions of millions of their of their loved loved onesones mentally mentally disappear disappear intointo online online rab-rabbit holes bit holes and and cults,cults, but but littlelittle organized organized effort effis ortmade is made to bring to bring themthem backback or protect or protect future future victims. victims.

Leaders Leaders whowho attempt attempt outreach outreach havehave beenbeen attacked attacked by their by their ownown as sellouts, as sellouts, chided chided for centering for centering those those whowho would would never never ally ally withwith themthem anyway anyway overover those those whowho havehave longlong had had theirtheir back,back, if not if their not their attention. attention.

TheThe tendency tendency to write to write off isoffrooted is rooted in the in assumption the assumption thatthat differdifferences ences of identity of identity are unbridgeable, are unbridgeable, that that people people are too are invested too invested in their in their privileges privileges and and interests interests to change, to change, thatthat the failure the failure to achieve to achieve change change in in

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the past the past predicts predicts failure failure in the in future, the future, thatthat people people and and theirtheir opinions opinions are monolithic are monolithic and and strong strong rather rather thanthan complicated complicated and and fragile, fragile, and and therefore therefore the the purpose purpose of politics of politics is toisprotect to protect yourself yourself fromfrom Others Others and and galvanize galvanize youryour ownown instead instead of trying of trying to reach to reach across. across.

In the In changethe changemaking making circles circles I had I had begun begun to follow, to follow, the political the political culture culture of the of the writewriteoff had off had made made itselfitself strongly strongly felt. felt.

It had It had helped helped to open to open an everan everwidening, widening, seemingly seemingly unsustainable unsustainable gap gap between between the the ambitions ambitions for structural, for structural, material material change change and and the the utterutter pessimism pessimism about about individual individual people people changing. changing.

HowHow could could social social transformatransformationtion come come to pass to pass when when so many, so many, eveneven those those mostmost thirsting thirsting to change to change things, things, had had written written off the off very the very possibility possibility of changing of changing people’s people’s minds? minds?

TheThe stakes stakes of this of this writing writing off were off were high:high: somesome of the of most the most dangerdangerous and ous and antidemocratic antidemocratic movements movements of our of time our time had had managed, managed, in spite in spite of those of those features, features, to make to make theirtheir causes causes appear appear welcoming welcoming and and make make newcomers newcomers feel feel at home, at home, whereas whereas somesome of the of most the most righteous, righteous, incluinclusive,sive, and and just just movements movements gavegave many many the feeling the feeling of being of being inaccessible, inaccessible, intractable, intractable, and and alienating. alienating.

I became I became drawn drawn to a to group a group of activists, of activists, organizers, organizers, politicians, politicians, edu-educators, cators, and and others others in these in these changechangemaking making circles circles whowho dissented dissented fromfrom the great the great writewriteoff and off and werewere seeking seeking another another way.way.

They They werewere a diverse a diverse set of setpeople, of people, but what but what theythey shared shared was was a desire a desire for real, for real, far-reaching, far-reaching, systemsystemlevellevel change change and and the realization the realization of the of promise the promise of democracy. of democracy.

But,But, unlike unlike many many in their in their ownown circles circles and and movements, movements, theythey wanted wanted another another thing, thing, too: too: to reinvigorate to reinvigorate the idea the idea of persuasion. of persuasion.

These These per-persuaders suaders found found themselves themselves up against up against outright outright antidemocratic antidemocratic forces forces as well as well as anasinfl anamed inflamed political political culture, culture, including including among among theirtheir allies, allies, thatthat made made it harder it harder to win to win others others overover and and buildbuild and and keepkeep coalitions. coalitions.

ThisThis bookbook is about is about theirtheir quest, quest, in a in time a time of great of great crises, crises, for afor politics a politics fierce fierce and and unapologetic unapologetic enough enough trulytruly to change to change things things and and smart smart and and expansive expansive enough enough to change to change the minds the minds to get to there. get there.

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Linda Linda Sarsour Sarsour

o theo story,” the story,” the activist the activist Linda Linda Sarsour Sarsour began, began, “is an “isold an lady old lady fromfrom Hawaii, Hawaii, a retired a retired lawyer, lawyer, posted, posted, ‘I think ‘I think we need we need to march to march on on Washington.’

Washington.’ ” ” It was It was the evening the evening of November of November 8, 2016, 8, 2016, and and Donald Donald Trump Trump was was emerging emerging as the as presidentthe presidentelectelect of the of United the United States.

States.

Millions Millions werewere in in the fithe rst fihours rst hours of a of shock a shock that that would would last for lastdays. for days.

Among Among the anguished the anguished was was Teresa Teresa Shook, Shook, the the retired retired lawyer lawyer in Hawaii, in Hawaii, whowho suggested suggested the the ideaidea of aofmarch a march on Washington, on Washington, to protest to protest the the incoming incoming president president and and all he all represented, he represented, and and wentwent to bed. to bed.

Sarsour, Sarsour, whowho liveslives on the on the other other sideside of the of country, the country, in Brooklyn, in Brooklyn, continued continued the story the story of how of how she she came came to betoassociated be associated withwith Shook’s Shook’s proposal proposal for afor march: a march: “She“She wakes wakes up viral. up viral.

She’sShe’s a little a little old lady; old lady; she probably she probably getsgets six likes six likes usually. usually.

All All of a of sudden a sudden she wakes she wakes up, it’s up,like it’s like . . .” .Shook . .” Shook had had gotten gotten ten thousand ten thousand RSVPs. RSVPs. In parallel, In parallel, a woman a woman named named BobBob Bland, Bland, a fashion a fashion designer, designer, had had posted posted a similar a similar idea.idea.

“Somebody “Somebody connected connected the the two,”two,” Sarsour Sarsour toldtold me, me, “and“and said,said, ‘Why ‘Why are two are two white white ladies ladies doing doing two two separate separate things? things?

WhyWhy don’tdon’t you you make make this this together?’ together?’

AndAnd so they so they did. did.

AndAnd the event the event was was called called Million Million Women’s Women’s March March originally.” originally.”

It was It was shortly shortly thereafter thereafter thatthat Sarsour Sarsour saw saw the post the post about about the nowthe nowmerged merged event event and,and, withwith somesome incredulity, incredulity, the name. the name.

HerHer reflex reflwas, ex was, “I’m“I’m not going.” not going.”

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Sarsour Sarsour might might havehave seemed seemed like like a natural a natural customer customer for the for march. the march.

As aAsprogressive a progressive activist activist whowho works works on immigrant on immigrant rights, rights, criminal criminal justice, justice, racial racial justice, justice, corporate corporate power, power, laborlabor policy, policy, and and other other issues, issues, she she has spent has spent much much of her of her life marching. life marching.

As aAs Palestinian a Palestinian American, American, a feminist, a feminist, and and a Muslim, a Muslim, she she had had a special a special loathing loathing of Trump, of Trump, whowho had had spent spent his campaign his campaign degrading degrading people people like like her. her.

If the If worst the worst visions visions of his of presidency his presidency werewere to come to come to pass, to pass, she knew she knew the diverse, the diverse, heavily heavily immigrant immigrant communities communities she organized she organized in Sunset in Sunset ParkPark and and Bay Bay Ridge Ridge in Brooklyn in Brooklyn would would be among be among the fithe rst fitorsthear to hear knocks knocks and and watch watch loved loved onesones whisked whisked intointo unmarked unmarked vans.vans.

But But Sarsour, Sarsour, like like many many on the on activist the activist left, left, didn’t didn’t necessarily necessarily viewview her her enemy’s enemy’s enemy enemy as her as her friend. friend.

She She didn’t didn’t assume assume thatthat any any formaformationtion of women of women organizing organizing a march a march to resist to resist Trump Trump werewere her her people, people, aligned aligned withwith her values her values and and goals, goals, just just because because of their of their common common fear.fear.

She She had had beenbeen around around longlong enough enough to know to know thatthat when when the the undocuundocumented mented immigrants, immigrants, women women of color, of color, poorpoor people, people, and and other other marginalmarginalizedized groups groups she represented she represented entered entered intointo coalition coalition withwith other other groups, groups, especially especially those those withwith moremore power, power, theythey could could be silenced be silenced and and shutshut out, out, toldtold to focus to focus on what on what the the more more powerful powerful groups groups deemed deemed important important and and to defer to defer theirtheir ownown mostmost pressing pressing concerns. concerns.

History History overfl overfl ows ows withwith cautionary cautionary tales.tales.

Black Black women women agitated agitated for women’s for women’s suffrage, suffrage, onlyonly to to see white see white women women secure secure the vote the vote for themselves for themselves withwith the Nineteenth the Nineteenth Amendment Amendment and and leaveleave Black Black women women out. out.

Sarsour’s Sarsour’s fellow fellow progressives progressives routinely routinely answered answered the plea the plea to vote to vote for moderate for moderate Democrats Democrats (“blue (“blue no no matter matter who!”), who!”), onlyonly to see to their see their concerns concerns sidelined sidelined afterafter the inaugural. the inaugural.

When When Sarsour Sarsour looked looked at the at post the post for the for proposed the proposed march, march, her her in- instinct stinct spoke spoke to her to her plainly: plainly: staystay away.away.

TheThe first fitell rst was tell was the name, the name, the the Million Million Women’s Women’s March, March, which which all but all appropriated but appropriated a protest a protest withwith a a similar similar name name by legions by legions of Black of Black women women in Philadelphia in Philadelphia two two decades decades earlier. earlier.

ThatThat suggested suggested to Sarsour to Sarsour thatthat this this upcoming upcoming march march didn’t didn’t merely merely happen happen to betoconvened be convened by “two by “two white white ladies,” ladies,” as she as put she it, putbut it, but was was anchored anchored in a in kind a kind of white of white women’s women’s feminism feminism thatthat Sarsour Sarsour had had learned learned to recognize to recognize and and guard guard against: against: a kind a kind of feminism of feminism that that was was big big on issues on issues like like reproductive reproductive rights rights and and equal equal pay pay but could but could be considerbe considerablyably quieter quieter about about the needs the needs of women of women in the in marginalized the marginalized communicommunities ties Sarsour Sarsour organized— organized— for workers’ for workers’ rights rights relative relative to corporations, to corporations,

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for protection for protection against against the immigration the immigration authorities authorities and and the police, the police, for for economic economic redistribution, redistribution, for environmental for environmental justice. justice.

Sarsour Sarsour might might havehave beenbeen loathloath to join to join whatwhat she viewed she viewed as a as white a white feminists’ feminists’ march march under under any any circumstances, circumstances, but Trump’s but Trump’s election election had had intensifi intensifi ed the ed the feeling. feeling.

LikeLike many, many, she she was was infuriated infuriated by the by the recent recent disclosure disclosure thatthat 53 percent 53 percent of white of white women women had had voted voted for Trump— for Trump— in in spitespite of the of sexual the sexual assault assault allegations, allegations, in spite in spite of the of Access the Access Hollywood Hollywood tape,tape, in spite in spite of his of sexist his sexist bullying. bullying.

(The(The number number came came fromfrom exit exit polls, polls, and and it was it was laterlater saidsaid by some by some analysts analysts to have to have beenbeen just just under under half half rather rather thanthan slightly slightly over.over.

But But 53 was 53 was everywhere everywhere at that at that moment moment and and a source a source of anger.) of anger.)

“White “White women women soldsold out out theirtheir fellow fellow women, women, theirtheir country, country, and and themselves themselves last last night,” night,” the the writer writer L. V.L.Anderson V. Anderson declared. declared.

AndAnd thatthat 53 number 53 number strengthened strengthened Sarsour’s Sarsour’s inclination inclination to to keepkeep awayaway fromfrom the march, the march, eveneven if itsiforganizers its organizers werewere fromfrom the other the other 47 percent.

47 percent.

“You’re “You’re catching catching me fortyme fortyeighteight to seventyto seventytwo two hours hours afterafter this this election,” election,” she she toldtold me. me.

“I’m“I’m not not really really fondfond of the of the women women whowho voted voted for Donald for Donald Trump Trump rightright now.now.

I’m I’m not not feeling feeling like like I have I have any any trust,trust, particularly particularly in white in white women.” women.”

TheThe 53 percent 53 percent statistic statistic reinforced reinforced Sarsour’s Sarsour’s skepticism skepticism of the of kind the kind of coalition of coalition building building thatthat comes comes at a at severe a severe cost.cost.

What What was was the point the point of allying of allying withwith white white women— women— whowho suffered suffered fromfrom sexism sexism but couldn’t but couldn’t helphelp but benefi but benefi t from t from white white domination— domination— and and abiding abiding the sidelining the sidelining of of one’sone’s particular particular needs, needs, if some if some of those of those white white women women werewere inevitably inevitably going going to sell to sell you you out out at the at fithe rst fiavailable rst available chance? chance?

“I said, “I said, ‘Do ‘Do I have I have the heart the heart for it, forreally?’ it, really?’

Because Because I don’t I don’t organize organize white white people,” people,” Sar-Sarsoursour said.said.

“Before “Before the Women’s the Women’s March, March, this this was was the community the community thatthat I organized I organized with:with: North North African, African, Middle Middle Eastern, Eastern, South South Asian, Asian, and,and, beyond beyond that,that, the immigrant the immigrant rights rights movement, movement, predominantly predominantly Latino, Latino, Asian Asian American, American, Pacifi Pacifi c Islander, c Islander, and and then,then, beyond beyond that,that, Black Black people. people.

I never I never organized organized white white people.” people.”

Among Among the great the great projects projects of Sarsour’s of Sarsour’s life was life was the dismantling the dismantling of of white white supremacy. supremacy.

But But she she shared shared withwith many many in her in her activist activist circles circles a a fatalism fatalism about about individual individual white white people people changing changing as part as part of that of that broader broader transformation. transformation.

It was It was almost almost to betoassumed be assumed thatthat white white people people would would ultimately ultimately sideside withwith theirtheir own.own.

YouYou didn’t didn’t fightfisupremacy ght supremacy by appealby appealing to ingwhite to white hearts hearts and and minds. minds.

YouYou fought fought it byitorganizing by organizing youryour ownown

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communities communities of color, of color, amassing amassing real real political political power, power, and and changing changing the the rulesrules and and structures structures thatthat upheld upheld systems systems of white of white domination. domination.

“My“My mission,” mission,” Sarsour Sarsour toldtold me me one one day,day, sitting sitting in her in her small small office office at the at the ArabArab American American Association Association of New of New YorkYork in Sunset in Sunset Park,Park, “is “is I want I want to build to build power power among among people people of color, of color, knowing knowing thatthat we are we are eventually eventually going going to betothe be the majority majority and and we’ve we’ve got to gotstart to start building building our our power. power.

I don’t I don’t wantwant to just to just be the be majority the majority without without power; power; I gotI to got to be the be majority the majority withwith power.” power.”

ThatThat guided guided the work the work she she did bringing did bringing together together communities communities in Sunset in Sunset ParkPark and and Bay Bay Ridge Ridge thatthat didn’t didn’t havehave much much interaction interaction but had but had common common concerns. concerns.

It informed It informed her pleading her pleading withwith voters voters of color of color to betomore be more thanthan reliable reliable Democratic Democratic voters, voters, to to demand demand a Democratic a Democratic Party Party thatthat pushed pushed for real, for real, structural structural change change and and answered answered theirtheir unique unique needs. needs.

AndAnd when when Sarsour Sarsour did did this this work, work, when when she sought she sought to build to build power power for her for people, her people, whatwhat she often she often found found herself herself up against up against was was white white people people refusing refusing to change to change the oppressive the oppressive systems systems thatthat keptkept themthem in power. in power.

So Sarsour So Sarsour was was warywary of the of march. the march.

But But thatthat didn’t didn’t stopstop her her fromfrom doing doing a bita of bitconstructive of constructive prodding. prodding.

Looking Looking at the at event the event pagepage one one day, day, she noticed she noticed that that the white the white women women of whom of whom she had she had beenbeen so skepso skepticaltical had had actually actually inserted inserted somesome helpful helpful language language about about standing standing withwith Black Black women, women, withwith indigenous indigenous women, women, withwith immigrant immigrant women. women.

ThatThat was was progress! progress!

Except Except for one for one glaring glaring problem, problem, in her in her estimation. estimation.

“All “All the stuff the stuff , but, no butone no one saidsaid Muslim Muslim women,” women,” Sarsour Sarsour toldtold me. me.

“I’m“I’m not not going going to lie toto lieyou. to you.

I wasI was kindkind of like, of like, ‘Really?

‘Really?

Were Were you you not not paying paying attention attention to this to this election?’ election?’ ” Trump’s ” Trump’s campaign campaign had had usedused his Muslim his Muslim ban ban as jet as fuel, jet fuel, and and nownow the the white white women women convening convening this this march march appeared appeared to forget to forget all about all about that.that.

Sarsour Sarsour was was mad.mad.

AndAnd while while to many to many on the on progressive the progressive left, left, she she is anisicon an icon of a of fearless, a fearless, unyielding unyielding brand brand of activism of activism for the for most the most marginalized marginalized people, people, she has she the has ability the ability to beto be delicate delicate when when she she chooses. chooses.

“I wrote “I wrote a very a very nicenice comment,” comment,” she she toldtold me. me.

“I said “I said something something like,like, ‘I really ‘I really appreciate appreciate this this endeavor. endeavor.

I hope I hope thatthat you you would would include include Muslim Muslim American American women women as well.’ as well.’

Something Something veryvery diplomatic. diplomatic.

AndAnd so my so comment my comment goesgoes viral.” viral.”

HerHer timing timing was was good. good.

TheThe white white ladies, ladies, the original the original pairpair and and others others whowho had had signed signed on, came on, came to realize to realize theythey had had a whiteness a whiteness problem. problem.

OneOne of them, of them, Vanessa Vanessa Wruble, Wruble, toldtold VogueVogue thatthat she she had had written written to the to oththe others: ers: “You“You needneed to make to make suresure this this is led is or ledcentered or centered around around women women of of

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color, color, or itor will it will be abe bunch a bunch of white of white women women marching marching on Washington.” on Washington.”

It was It was not clear not clear fromfrom the outside the outside whether whether this this concern concern was was motivated motivated more more by principle by principle or by orthe by fear the fear of bad of bad public public relations. relations.

But But in any in any event, event, the women the women reached reached out to outMichael to Michael Skolnik, Skolnik, a white a white consultant consultant to organizations, to organizations, whowho was was onceonce described described

by The

by The NewNew YorkYork Times Times as as “the“the manman you you go togoiftoyou if you are on are the on the left left and and wantwant to leverage to leverage the the power power of celebrity of celebrity and and the reach the reach of digital of digital media media to soften to soften the ground the ground for social for social change.” change.”

He He suggested suggested some some women women of color of color whowho could could combine combine withwith theirtheir efforts. efforts.

OneOne of them of them was was Tamika Tamika Mallory, Mallory, a Black a Black civilcivil rights rights activist activist and and a friend a friend of Sarsour’s. of Sarsour’s.

Around Around the time the time when when she volunteered she volunteered to help to help collaborate collaborate on the on march, the march, she called she called Sarsour.

Sarsour.

“I see “I you, see you, girl,girl, on that on that page,” page,” Sarsour Sarsour remembers remembers her friend her friend saying saying of Sarsour’s of Sarsour’s Facebook Facebook comment. comment.

“Relax, “Relax, we’re we’re about about to gotoingothere in there and and fix some fix some stuffstuff .” .”

“Go“Go where?” where?” asked asked Sarsour.

Sarsour.

“Don’t “Don’t worry, worry, I gotI this,” got this,” Mallory Mallory toldtold her. her.

For For somesome reason reason Sarsour Sarsour couldn’t couldn’t fathom, fathom, Mallory Mallory believed believed thatthat a march a march anchored anchored in white in white feminism, feminism, a march a march Sarsour Sarsour wasn’t wasn’t eveneven interested interested in attending, in attending, could could be improved be improved by “going by “going in there.” in there.”

NotNot without without reason, reason, this this kindkind of “going of “going in” to in”struggle to struggle withwith white white people people to make to make themthem less less invested invested in their in their ownown power power and and privileges privileges and and more more committed committed to the to demands the demands of marginalized of marginalized groups— groups— suchsuch workwork was was regarded regarded by many, by many, especially especially in the in circles the circles Sarsour Sarsour and and Mallory Mallory operated operated in, as in,a as fool’s a fool’s errand. errand.

It wasn’t It wasn’t eveneven clearclear to Sarsour to Sarsour whatwhat the goal the goal was.was.

Diversify Diversify the march’s the march’s leadership? leadership?

TakeTake it over? it over?

HelpHelp the the white white women women see see theirtheir blindblind spotsspots and and embrace embrace a broader a broader array array of of concerns? concerns?

Whatever Whatever it was, it was, Sarsour Sarsour toldtold Mallory Mallory she had she had no interest: no interest: “I “I didn’t didn’t think think thatthat I wasI was made made to gotoingothere in there and and just just organize organize withwith thesethese women women who,who, like like the Black the Black women women werewere telling telling us, all us,ofalla of sudden a sudden are are madmad about about things things we’ve we’ve beenbeen madmad about about for afor long a long time.” time.”

A few A few hours hours later,later, Mallory Mallory called called back.back.

“She’s “She’s like,like, ‘We’re ‘We’re going going to to the Women’s the Women’s March,’ March,’ ” Sarsour ” Sarsour recalled. recalled.

“I said, “I said, ‘I’m ‘I’m not not going going any-anywhere.’ where.’

AndAnd thenthen she gave she gave me the me whole the whole ‘If it’s ‘If not it’s us, notwho’s us, who’s it going it going to be?’ to be?’ ” Sarsour ” Sarsour recalled: recalled: “Tamika “Tamika made made a point a point and and said,said, ‘Look, ‘Look, this this march march is going is going to happen to happen withwith or without or without women women of color. of color.

AndAnd they’re they’re going going to have to have a march, a march, and and it’s going it’s going to probably to probably be fabulous. be fabulous.

AndAnd the the question question becomes becomes for us, forifus, they’re if they’re going going to dotothis do this march march and and it’s going it’s going

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to betoabe great a great march, march, do we do want we want our our voices voices in it?inDo it? we Do want we want people people whowho looklook like like us inusit?inDo it? Do we want we want people people talking talking about about criminal criminal justice justice reform? reform?

Do we Do want we want immigrant immigrant rights rights folks? folks?

Do we Do want we want the the Muslims?

Muslims?

I mean, I mean, hello, hello, this this guy guy wonwon a whole a whole election election on the on backs the backs of the of illegal the illegal immigrants immigrants and and the terrorists. the terrorists.

ThatThat pretty pretty much much was was the the whole whole story.’ story.’ ” The ” The march march was was a platform, a platform, Mallory Mallory was was suggesting, suggesting, a a chance chance to center to center issues issues theythey cared cared about, about, oftenoften portrayed portrayed as marginal. as marginal.

Sarsour Sarsour was was convinced: convinced: “I was “I was like,like, okay,okay, fine.”fine.”

She She agreed agreed to join to join Mallory.

Mallory.

Mallory’s Mallory’s bet, bet, and and nownow Sarsour’s, Sarsour’s, was was just just that,that, a beta that bet that a lota of lot of theirtheir fellow fellow activists activists and and movement movement alliesallies might might not have not have made. made.

But But in in this this case,case, Mallory’s Mallory’s and and nownow Sarsour’s Sarsour’s instinct instinct was,was, if it’sifnot it’s us, notwho’s us, who’s it going it going to be? to Itbe? might It might be diffi be cult difficult to deal to deal withwith thesethese white white women women and and seekseek to enlarge to enlarge the sphere the sphere of their of their concerns concerns and and assume assume the burden the burden of of persuading persuading themthem of what of what theythey could could not or notwould or would not see, not see, but it butwas it was also,also, Sarsour Sarsour realized, realized, a remarkable a remarkable opportunity opportunity to raise to raise the visibility the visibility of her of agenda her agenda and and recruit recruit a broader a broader arrayarray of allies of allies for it. forEven it. Even if it if was it was unpleasant unpleasant work, work, Sarsour Sarsour said,said, sometimes sometimes you you havehave to “go to in “gothere.” in there.”

In making In making her decision her decision about about the march, the march, fromfrom her initial her initial rejection rejection to that to that eventual eventual “going “going in,” in,” Sarsour Sarsour was was navigating navigating a dilemma a dilemma oftenoften confronted confronted by activists by activists on the on left. the left.

Those Those whowho seekseek the transformation the transformation of society, of society, of itsofdeep its deep structures structures and and power power equations, equations, oftenoften needneed a a critical critical massmass of the of public the public to betomobilized be mobilized in order in order to achieve to achieve meanmeaningful ingful change. change.

But But if you if you represent represent marginalized marginalized minority minority communicommunities,ties, those those groups groups on their on their ownown maymay not add not add up toupa to mobilization a mobilization broad broad enough enough to deliver to deliver the results the results you you seek.seek.

Sometimes Sometimes a broader a broader coalition coalition can can get you get you gainsgains thatthat would would elude elude you you otherwise. otherwise.

Sarsour’s Sarsour’s initial initial attitude attitude to the to march the march was was informed informed by her by her expeexperience rience of what of what can can happen happen in such in such coalitions. coalitions.

There There is pressure is pressure to to compromise, compromise, pressure pressure thatthat fallsfalls disproportionately disproportionately on the on least the least pow-powerfulerful members members of the of the group. group.

TheThe more more strident strident critiques critiques of power of power and and systems systems tendtend to betopushed be pushed to the to side, the side, dismissed dismissed as extreme as extreme and and unhelpful, unhelpful, while while moderate, moderate, milquetoast, milquetoast, platitudinous platitudinous ideasideas thatthat will will change change littlelittle rushrush to the to fore. the fore.

All too All often, too often, the norm the norm in such in such coalitions coalitions is toisfocus to focus on the on common the common enemy enemy and and presspress pause pause on any on any “infi“infi ghting,” ghting,” eveneven if theif “infi the “infi ghting” ghting” in question in question refers refers to the to less the less powerful powerful members members telling telling more more powerful powerful onesones thatthat theythey do not do not feel feel represented represented by the by the

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coalition coalition theythey havehave entered. entered.

It was It was possible possible to feel, to feel, as Sarsour as Sarsour initially initially had,had, thatthat the benefi the benefi ts oftsa of broader a broader massmass mobilization mobilization werewere not justifi not justifi ed ed by the by costs the costs of having of having youryour issues issues meltmelt intointo the sea. the sea.

But But therethere was was an opposite an opposite risk,risk, too. too.

Activists Activists like like Sarsour Sarsour could could staystay pure,pure, keepkeep out of outthose of those corrupting corrupting coalitions, coalitions, and and end end up righteously up righteously alone. alone.

YouYou could could refuse refuse to trust to trust those those white white women women and and theirtheir brand brand of feminism, of feminism, and and then,then, as Mallory as Mallory had had said,said, theythey would would havehave theirtheir fabulous fabulous march, march, and and theirtheir brand brand of feminism of feminism would would onlyonly growgrow stronstronger, ger, and and you you would would missmiss out out on aon chance a chance to “go to “go in there” in there” and and forceforce a a change. change.

If, on If,the on other the other hand, hand, you you werewere willing willing to make to make a distinction a distinction between between those those trulytruly bentbent on keeping on keeping you you down down (MAGA (MAGA diehards) diehards) and and those those whowho shared shared some some of your of your commitments commitments while while diverging diverging withwith you you on other on other things things (liberal (liberal white white women), women), you you might might be able be able to form to form an alliance an alliance withwith thesethese latter latter folk,folk, thesethese imperfect imperfect allies. allies.

AndAnd thatthat might might givegive you you something something closer closer to a to mass a mass movement. movement.

So itSowas it was possible possible to feel, to feel, as Sarsour as Sarsour ultimately ultimately did, did, thatthat the the opportunity opportunity to to buildbuild a vast a vast citizen citizen armyarmy against against Trump— Trump— and and even,even, perhaps, perhaps, against against the deeper the deeper afflictions afflictions of capitalism, of capitalism, patriarchy, patriarchy, and and racism racism thatthat made made Trump Trump possible— possible— justifi justifi ed the ed risks the risks of coalition. of coalition.

TheThe Trump Trump era, era, thenthen onlyonly beginning, beginning, would would raiseraise the the stakes stakes of of this this dilemma dilemma for many for many activists activists and and organizers. organizers.

It made It made a unifi a unifi ed, ed, expansive, expansive, winning winning left more left more urgent urgent thanthan ever,ever, the fate the fate of the of Repubthe Republic seeming lic seeming to depend to depend on whether on whether thatthat unwieldly unwieldly group group of groups of groups could could hold.hold.

But But for those for those in marginalized in marginalized groups, groups, the rise the rise of Trump of Trump and and his turning his turning of the of country’s the country’s uglyugly subtext subtext intointo text text alsoalso made made it asit as important important as ever as ever to speak to speak plainly plainly and and clearly clearly and and not be noterased be erased and and not dissolve not dissolve theirtheir particular particular needs needs intointo the melting the melting pot of potfighting of fighting one one bad bad guy.guy.

WithWith white white supremacy supremacy and and patriarchy patriarchy and and the discontents the discontents of of capitalism capitalism nownow frontfront and and center center in the in conversation, the conversation, howhow could could those those groups groups be expected be expected to put to put asideaside theirtheir feelings feelings on these on these matters matters for for the the sakesake of keeping of keeping the the coalitional coalitional peace? peace?

For For activists activists in Sarsour’s in Sarsour’s position, position, it had it had never never felt more felt more important important to stand to stand one’sone’s ground ground and,and, equally, equally, to reach to reach out broadly. out broadly.

But But nownow Sarsour Sarsour had had decided decided to gotoingothere, in there, and and as she as embraced she embraced this this newnew challenge, challenge, her her attitude attitude to this to this longlongstanding standing tradetradeoff was off was a a desire desire to break to break it. Could it. Could she make she make her communities her communities partpart of this of this massmass mobilization mobilization without without bartering bartering awayaway theirtheir voice? voice?

Could Could she she and and the the

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white white women women she was she was warywary of work of work together together toward toward a common a common cause cause while while being being honest honest withwith eacheach other other about about theirtheir differences differences and,and, rather rather thanthan dismissing dismissing themthem as “infi as “infi ghting,” ghting,” trulytruly taketake themthem on? on?

Could Could she she organize organize white white women women intointo a more a more capacious capacious understanding understanding of justice of justice and and oppression oppression without without being being co-opted? co-opted?

Could Could she model she model the kind the kind of of progressive progressive politics politics she she longed longed to see to see more more of—of— at once at once unbending unbending and and expanding? expanding?

As she As she chewed chewed on these on these questions, questions, Sarsour Sarsour received received advice advice fromfrom fellow fellow activists activists and and mentors. mentors.

To many, To many, this this project project she was she was taking taking on on was was folly.folly.

“I’m“I’m not not going going to lie to to lieyou,” to you,” she she toldtold me. me.

“There “There werewere people people picking picking up the up phone the phone like,like, ‘Are‘Are you you out out of your of your mind? mind?

What What are you are you doing doing to yourself to yourself ? Why ? Why would would you you believe believe thatthat white white women women are actually are actually in this in this for you? for you?

Or are Or mad are mad for you? for you?

They They are mad are mad for for themselves. themselves.

Because Because everything everything thatthat theythey are mad are mad about, about, we’ve we’ve beenbeen madmad about about for afor long a long time.’ time.’

AndAnd theythey werewere right.” right.”

She She recalled, recalled, “We“We werewere heavily heavily criticized criticized

by Black

by Black women women in particular.” in particular.”

Many Many callscalls came came fromfrom “the“the church church ladies ladies and and the elders,” the elders,” as Sarsour as Sarsour put put it, who it, who werewere channeling channeling the the ideasideas of thinkers of thinkers like like Audre Audre Lorde, Lorde, whowho cau-cautioned tioned years years ago ago against against this this ideaidea of going of going in toinhelp to help white white women women see the see light. the light.

“Now “Now we hear we hear thatthat it is itthe is task the task of women of women of Color of Color to to educate educate white white women— women— in the in face the face of tremendous of tremendous resistance— resistance— as toas to our our existence, existence, our our differences, differences, our our relative relative rolesroles in our in our jointjoint survival,” survival,” Lorde Lorde said.said.

“This “This is a diversion is a diversion of energies of energies and and a tragic a tragic repetition repetition of of racist racist patriarchal patriarchal thought.” thought.”

EvenEven so, Sarsour so, Sarsour stuck stuck to her to her bet. bet.

There There werewere many many reasons reasons to to write write off. She off. She chose chose instead instead the path the path of persuasion. of persuasion.

“I went “I went to the to Women’s the Women’s March March because because I thought I thought thatthat I could I could be be the the one one to do to the do the workwork thatthat others others are are saying saying theythey do not do not wantwant to to do,”do,” she told she told me. me.

Then Then again, again, she added, she added, the Women’s the Women’s March, March, for her, for “is her,a “is failure a failure story.” story.”

TT

he story he story of the of march the march has been has been toldtold elsewhere elsewhere and and more more fully.fully.

I took I took an interest an interest in Sarsour’s in Sarsour’s experience experience of the of undertaking the undertaking because because she she was was a lightning a lightning rod rod whowho had had made made an improbable an improbable choice choice to give to give somesome people people a chance. a chance.

TheThe question question of the of march’s the march’s name name would would provide provide an early an early opporoppor-

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tunity tunity for struggle— for struggle— about about the the richrich history history of Black of Black organizing organizing thatthat preceded preceded the organizers the organizers and and the white the white women’s women’s treatment treatment of that of that his- history.tory.

“Even “Even the term the term ‘Women’s ‘Women’s March March on Washington’ on Washington’ didn’t didn’t just come just come fromfrom the sky. the sky.

It was It was a very a very intentional intentional process process thatthat we were we were putting putting white white women women through,” through,” Sarsour Sarsour toldtold me, me, speaking speaking of her of her efforts efforts to to change change the name the name of the of march the march fromfrom the Million the Million Women’s Women’s March March in in order order to teach to teach white white women women about about howhow not to notappropriate to appropriate the history the history of Blackof Blackled marches. led marches.

There There had,had, afterafter all, been all, been thatthat Million Million Woman Woman March March in Philadelin Philadelphiaphia in 1997, in 1997, which which rallied rallied hundreds hundreds of thousands of thousands of people of people around around a a theme theme of what of what it means it means to betoanbeAfrican an African American American woman. woman.

ThatThat march march had had builtbuilt on the on Million the Million ManMan March March two two yearsyears earlier earlier in Washington, in Washington, called called by the by controversial the controversial leader leader of the of Nation the Nation of Islam, of Islam, Louis Louis Far-Farrakhan, rakhan, and and it, too, it, too, had had mobilized mobilized legions legions of Black of Black citizens. citizens.

“There “There should should be no bereason no reason for us fortousbetostarting be starting a Million a Million Women’s Women’s March March without without understanding understanding where where thatthat came came from,” from,” Sarsour Sarsour toldtold me. me.

She,She, like like many many of her of allies, her allies, wanted wanted to change to change the name. the name.

“It wasn’t “It wasn’t like like theythey werewere like,like, ‘Oh ‘Oh yeah, yeah, we knew we knew it was it was a Black a Black women’s women’s march; march; we’re we’re just just going going to name to name it this.’ it this.’

It’s just It’s just the lack the lack of of knowledge knowledge and and relationships, relationships, just just having having no idea. no idea.

So then So then theythey werewere like,like, ‘Okay, ‘Okay, well,well, let’slet’s call call it theit Women’s the Women’s March March on Washington.’ on Washington.’

AndAnd of course of course Tamika Tamika was was like,like, ‘Everybody ‘Everybody backback up; there up; there was was a March a March on Washington.’ on Washington.’ ” ” She She was was speaking, speaking, of course, of course, of the of the Reverend Reverend Dr. Martin Dr. Martin Luther Luther KingKing Jr.’s 1963 Jr.’s 1963 March March on Washington on Washington for Jobs for Jobs and and Freedom.

Freedom.

“We“We havehave to understand to understand thatthat there’s there’s a lota of lotresponsibility,” of responsibility,” Sarsour Sarsour recalled recalled saying. saying.

She She toldtold me later, me later, “All “All this this is new is new to white to white women women because because white white women— women— just just white white people people generally— generally— think think thatthat theythey can can just just do whatever do whatever theythey want.want.

AndAnd there’s there’s no consulting; no consulting; there’s there’s no talking no talking to people to people of color of color about about whatwhat theythey think. think.

So we So were we were putting putting themthem through through a lotaof lotexercises.” of exercises.”

In the In the matter matter of the of the march march name, name, it was it was decided decided to call to call Bernice Bernice King, King, Dr. King’s Dr. King’s daughter. daughter.

If she If gave she gave her blessing her blessing to remix to remix the name the name of the of original the original 19631963 march, march, thenthen theythey could. could.

“We“We put Dr. put Bernice Dr. Bernice KingKing on aon conference a conference call call to make to make a proposal a proposal to her,” to her,” Sarsour Sarsour recalled, recalled, “and“and said,said, ‘As you ‘As you know, know, this this is what is what the the march march was was called, called, and and we wanted we wanted to change to change the march the march in respect in respect to to

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TH E PERS TH E PERS UA DERS UA DERS

those those women women in Philadelphia, in Philadelphia, and and we want we want to call to call this this the Women’s the Women’s March March on Washington. on Washington.

We want We want to make to make suresure thatthat you you know know thatthat we we understand understand the the greatgreat responsibility responsibility thatthat comes comes withwith doing doing a march a march fifty-fisomething fty-something yearsyears afterafter the march the march youryour father father led, led, and and we want we want to to make make suresure it’s full it’s full of integrity of integrity and and dignity dignity and and intersectionality intersectionality and and thatthat people people are seen are seen and and heard.’ heard.’ ” ” KingKing thanked thanked the the women women for recognizing for recognizing thatthat responsibility responsibility and and gavegave her blessing. her blessing.

“The“The deeper deeper philosophy philosophy among among people people of color— of color— and and I won’t I won’t say say every every person person of color, of color, but the but majority the majority of people of people of color, of color, particularly particularly those those thatthat are activists are activists and and organizers— organizers— is that is that we understand we understand our hisour history,” tory,” Sarsour Sarsour toldtold me. me.

“We“We are very are very connected connected to movement to movement history, history, and and we believe we believe thatthat whatwhat we do we isdoa is continuation a continuation of something of something thatthat camecame before before us. Ius. don’t I don’t thinkthink white white people people havehave that that samesame philosophy.” philosophy.”

So inSothe in simple the simple matter matter of naming of naming werewere lessons lessons that that could could be taught be taught or could, or could, in the in name the name of coalitional of coalitional peace, peace, be withheld, be withheld, and and herehere theythey werewere explicitly explicitly being being taught: taught: don’tdon’t thinkthink you you are fiare rst fitorstanything; to anything; pay pay attention attention to what to what preceded preceded you;you; trusttrust that that you you are standing are standing on someone on someone else’selse’s ground ground untiluntil proven proven otherwise; otherwise; don’tdon’t Columbus.

Columbus.

What What Sarsour Sarsour and and others others wanted wanted the white the white women women organizers organizers to understand to understand was was that that the the behaviors behaviors exhibited exhibited in their in their hastyhasty naming naming process process werewere distinct distinct fromfrom but but not unconnected not unconnected to behaviors to behaviors exhibited exhibited in faringreater far greater concentration concentration by by figures figures theythey despised despised like like Donald Donald Trump.

Trump.

A way A way of moving of moving through through the the world world that that erased erased others others as a as matter a matter of course of course was was to betoresisted, be resisted, eveneven when when it came it came fromfrom members members of the of sisterhood the sisterhood of the of #Resistance. the #Resistance.

TheThe naming naming episode episode seemed seemed to validate to validate Sarsour’s Sarsour’s bet. bet.

Yes, Yes, it was it was not her not duty her duty to change to change thesethese white white women. women.

Yes, Yes, she shouldn’t she shouldn’t havehave to to persuade persuade themthem not not to erase to erase the work the work of women of women of color of color and and instead instead center center those those women. women.

But But she she did make did make thatthat effort: effort: the work the work of coaliof coalitiontion building building required required it. She it. She had,had, in those in those earlyearly days,days, found found a way a way of joining of joining a broader a broader alliance alliance through through teaching. teaching.

“We“We wentwent through through it,” it,” Sarsour Sarsour toldtold me, me, “and“and it was it was really really powerful.” powerful.”

TheThe name name change change was was a prelude a prelude to broader to broader changes, changes, including including on on the question the question of scope. of scope.

In itsInoriginal its original conception, conception, the march the march focused focused on those on those issues issues associated associated withwith white white feminism. feminism.

As aAs writer a writer in Vogue in Vogue (herself (herself white) white) explained, explained, “Where “Where pastpast waves waves of feminism, of feminism, led princiled principallypally by white by white women, women, havehave focused focused predominantly predominantly on aon fewa few familiar familiar