While the world is far from silent right now, a lot of you are wondering how to get started in being more active, and how to educate yourself in the political and activist spheres. You might not be able to go back to civics class, but here’s a handy guide of terms to help you along.
rize w Peace P ch l e b o N g a spee in said r u d i a ousafz 013. Malala Y rsity in 2 e iv n U d r at Harva
ethnic state or in states with government(s) dominated by political elites drawn from another nationality, nationalism often becomes an ideology justifying rebellion or secession in order to create or recreate a nation state for the heretofore subjugated nation.” (Auburn University, “A Glossary of Political Economy Terms”)
O
P
Q R
S
PASSIVE RESISTANCE: “Quiet but firm
T
RACISM: “Racial and cultural prejudice and
discrimination, supported intentionally or unintentionally by institutional power and authority, used to the advantage of one race and the disadvantage of other races. The critical element which differentiates racism from prejudice and discrimination is the use of institutional power
appreciation of the rich diversity of our world’s cultures, our forms of expression and ways of being human.” (UNESCO Declaration of Principles on Tolerance)
U
V
VETO: “A privileged single vote that, according
QUORUM:
“A Quorum of an assembly is such a number as must be present in order that business can be legally transacted.” (Robert’s Rules Online)
TOLERANCE: “Respect, acceptance and
UNDERSERVED: People with life circum-
W
stances that make them susceptible to falling through the cracks in our political, economic or health care systems. In the context of health care, many do not have health insurance or cannot afford it; those who do have insurance sometimes face insufficient coverage. (Colorado Coalition for the Medically Underserved)
to some systems of rules for decision-making, has the effect of blocking or negating a majority decision. In the United States, the President may veto a bill passed by majorities in both houses of Congress, preventing it from becoming law unless each house then re-passes the bill by a two-thirds majority.” (Auburn University, “A Glossary of Political Economy Terms”)
WHITE PRIVILEGE:
“The concrete benefits of access to resources and social rewards and the power to shape the norms and values of society which whites receive, unconsciously or consciously, by virtue of their skin color in a racist society.” (Oberlin College/”Teaching for Diversity and Social Justice,” Ed. Adams, Bell & Griffin)
SOLIDARITY ORGANIZING: Organizing for
social and economic justice, recognizing that the experiences and wisdom of divergent, traditionally oppressed groups like people (and communities) of color, women, LGBTQ folks, or the working class are centrally important and interconnected, such that any strategies going forward must be rooted in the unification of these causes.” (COSJ)
OPPRESSION:
“A systemic social phenomenon based on the perceived and real difference among social groups that involve ideological domination, institutional control, and the promulgation of the oppressor’s ideology, logic system, and culture to the oppressed group. The result is the exploitation of one social group by another for the benefit of the oppressor group.” (Oberlin College/”Teaching for Diversity and Social Justice,” Ed. Adams, Bell & Griffin)
refusal to comply with unjust laws; passive resistance involves putting one’s body on the line, risking arrest and attempting to win over one’s foes with morally persuasive arguments.” (“The Jackson Sun”)
and authority to support prejudices and enforce discriminatory behaviors in systemic ways with far-reaching outcomes and effects.” (COSJ)
X Y
XENOPHOBIA: “Fear and hatred of strangers or foreigners or of anything that is strange or foreign.” (COSJ)
YOUTH VOTE: A political term describ-
ing 18- to 24-year-olds and their voting habits. “Traditionally in American elections, young people have stood out for their consistently low levels of electoral participation, but a shift has appeared in some years, at least in part, in the direction of greater engagement.” (“Young-Adult Voting: An Analysis of Presidential Elections, 1964–2012” U.S. Census Bureau, 2014)
Z
ZEN:
“The whole point of Zen practice is to become fully aware, here and now. To come home to the present moment; this is truly where we live. Thinking verbally takes us far into the past, or into the distant future. But both past and future are fantasies, since the future isn’t known and our memories of the past are often quite distorted accounts of what really happened. Zen exhorts one to “Come to your senses!”, for when we get lost in thoughts of the past or future, life passes us by.” (“What is the Meaning of Zen?” Rafael Espericueta, Bakersfield College)
Prepping for the struggle? Headed for a round of civil disobedience? Knowledge is power.
YOUR RIGHTS
YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES
You have the right to remain silent. If you wish to exercise that right, say so out loud.
Do stay calm and be polite.
Know your rights, courtesy of the American Civil Liberties Union:
You have the right to refuse to consent to a search of yourself, your car or your home.
Do not interfere with or obstruct the police. Do not lie or give false documents.
If you are not under arrest, you have the right to calmly leave.
Do prepare yourself and your family in case you are arrested.
You have the right to a lawyer if you are arrested. Ask for one immediately.
Do remember the details of the encounter.
Regardless of your immigration or citizenship status, you have constitutional rights.
Do file a written complaint or call your local ACLU if you feel your rights have been violated.
9 VOLUME 21 ISSUE 07 / February 16, 2017 / THE SOURCE WEEKLY
ld is r o w e l o h w “When the one voice silent, even werful.” becomes po inner