Flexing Our Civil Resistance Muscle (with Jamila Raqib)

Flexing Our Civil Resistance Muscle (with Jamila Raqib)

Author: iHeartPodcasts October 29, 2020 Duration: 52:08

Baratunde wrestles with how to handle rising political violence in the U.S. by learning from a leading steward of strategic nonviolent action. Jamila Raqib, executive director of the Albert Einstein Institution, shares lessons on the superiority of nonviolent approaches to change, options for defending democracy against authoritarianism, and tips on what to do if a certain head of state refuses to leave office. Hypothetically. 

Show Notes + Links

We are grateful to Jamila Rahib for joining us!

Follow her on Twitter @jamilaraqib. You can learn more about The Albert Einstein Institute at https://www.aeinstein.org/

We will post this episode, a transcript, show notes and more at howtocitizen.com.

Please show your support for the show in the form of a review and rating. It makes a huge difference with the algorithmic overlords!

HERE IS WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW. ACTIONS FOR THIS EPISODE. 

INTERNAL ACTIONS (Actions that help you reflect and explore your emotions and experiences related to these topics or personal actions that don’t involve others)


Give energy and attention to what you WANT for our country 

If you journal, pray, meditate or do yoga, use your practice between now and the election to center yourself on what you want to happen. Developing that clear picture first will help you emotionally and psychologically prepare to respond if it doesn’t go the way you want. Walk that fine line with me!! 


For a powerful visioning example, see this proposed 28th amendment to the U.S. Constitution organized by the Brooklyn Public Library. https://www.bklynlibrary.org/28th-amendment 


Look through the 198 methods at the Albert Einstein Institution https://www.aeinstein.org/nonviolentaction/198-methods-of-nonviolent-action/ 

Identify any you’ve already employed. Congrats! You’re a strategic nonviolent activist already!



EXTERNAL ACTIONS (Public actions that require relationships and interaction with others) 

Contribute to building our collective civil resistance muscle through the actions below.


Share this site that Jamila mentioned with examples and stories about nonviolent action https://wagingnonviolence.org/ 


Attend a Choose Democracy workshop on “How To Defeat An Election-Related Power Grab”

Find trainings at https://choosedemocracy.us/, take the pledge on the home page, and check out the action center. 


Engage in action recommended by “Hold The Line” and tell others about it

https://holdthelineguide.com/

Volunteers created this 55-page guide for the situation we’re in. It includes methods to set up election protection efforts in your community, attend workshops for non-violent resistance, and get your elected officials, police, and military to commit to upholding democracy. 


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If you take any of these actions, share that with us - action@howtocitizen.com. Mention Returning Citizens in the subject line. And share about your citizening on social media using #howtocitizen. 

We love feedback from our listeners - comments@howtocitizen.com. 

Visit Baratunde's website to sign up for his newsletter to learn about upcoming guests, live tapings, and more. Follow him on Instagram or join his Patreon. You can even text him, like right now at 202-894-8844.

How To Citizen with Baratunde is a production of I iHeart Radio Podcasts. executive produced by Miles Gray, Nick Stumpf, Elizabeth Stewart, and Baratunde Thurston. Produced by Joelle Smith, edited by Justin Smith. Powered by you.

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Finding your place in a world that often feels broken can be disorienting. How To Citizen with Baratunde, from iHeartPodcasts, tackles that confusion head-on by treating "citizen" not as a static label but as a series of actions we can all learn. This podcast moves beyond the headlines and the outrage to explore the tangible, often surprising ways we can participate in shaping our communities and systems. Each episode is a deep dive into the mechanics of collective power, featuring conversations that span society, culture, technology, and news. You'll hear from people who are actively redefining what it means to belong and contribute, offering practical insights that replace helplessness with agency. The discussions remind us that while voting is crucial, a functioning democracy requires much more from all of us. This isn't about abstract theory; it's about the real-world application of citizenship. Tune in for a thought-provoking and actionable guide to wielding your influence, discovering how to move from being overwhelmed to being effectively engaged. The entire premise of this podcast is built on the idea that we can learn to citizen better, together.
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