Manufacturers and Retailers offered to poor consumers just enough broadband and device capacity to continue to consume. They’ve convinced working families that they have access to 21st Century tools that will allow them to thrive, work remotely, be competitive academically and at their jobs. The tech infrastructure they have is just enough to jump on YouTube, order on Amazon, play video games and get on Social Media. Pandemic has shown us that they are suffering from lack of the correct tools to succeed or even survive. The disparity is growing greater.
Work From Home accounts for over 60% of US economic activity. 42% of US workers are working from home. However, 33% of US workers are not working due to Pandemic. This is devastating to working families of color. They are even more marginalized than ever.
Nearly 50% of workers can’t work from home efficiently. 30% can’t work from home at all. Most don’t have a private work space. ⅔ of US workers have adequate internet while the remaining ⅓ barely has connectivity. We must work to build infrastructure and access to broadband.
This episode of The Ruckus was recorded remotely using SquadCast from the homes of Danny and Lewis. Danny mentioned a Los Angeles Unified School District resource:
Superintendent Beutner said LAUSD will continue distributing devices. He encouraged any LAUSD family still in need of a laptop or internet connection to call the district's hotline: (213) 443-1300.
Political Campaigning During Pandemic
With social distancing during Covid, campaigns are forced to look at new ways and to improve on traditional ways of voter communication, outreach and mobilization. Volunteer, Staff and Community Safety is paramount. Plus a campaign would not want to make the Times by contributing to the spread of Covid19.
We are learning that folks are happy to hear from us as we ramp up direct voter contact via remote phone banking. It is not insensitive to campaign during the pandemic. In fact it is critical to campaign even harder in times of uncertainty. People need direction, guidance and leadership. They want to know that there are solutions and that your candidate or issue will be a problem solver, not the problem.
The goal is to be a resource and a connector. We must offer something of substance and sustained.
It’s about listening with compassion and speaking with empathy. The voter might not remember what you said, but they will remember how you said and who you said it for.
It is important to capture the political moment and environment (Momentum Cycle) and know when to deliver your message and how to deliver your message so that a campaign can provide absorption points for all the energy that needs a place consolidated and targeted in a powerful and intentional manner.
“Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory.” and “Tactics without strategy is noise before defeat.” Sun Tzu
In other words, honk and waves and banner drops and social media posts (tactics) are not part of a program building strategy. A campaign must organize (be organized) before it can mobilize. This is even more critical campaigning during a pandemic in the virtual remote organizing world.
As we get to campaigning during a pandemic, remember to be a leader. Educate, Agitate, Mobilize.
Don’t be afraid of your Story of Self, Story of Us and the Story of Now.
Know why it matters and what’s a stake. Know the political landscape.
