Building The Movement Offline

   

The following is a reflection from one of our volunteers on their experience going door-knocking.

   
   

By Karissa

   
   

At the beginning of the last door-knocking with TJC, the back of my mind was pre-occupied with all the recent news of TJC and other collectives and activists being on the receiving end of an onslaught of POFMAs, shadow-bans, and even outright deletions (this happened to Workers Make Possible earlier in the week, though it’s back up now).

   

While online platforms provide a wide reach, they are neither infallible nor invulnerable to the whims of the state or the mega-corporations behind them.

   
   

In contrast to online spaces that were becoming increasingly policed and censored, it was refreshing to go door-knocking with TJC and think about how we can build the movement offline.

   

If there ever came a time when we could no longer access our digital accounts, or the platforms that we use become entirely hostile towards us, how do we ensure we stay connected to each other and the movement? What do we have to create to achieve this?

   
   

Of course, one door-knocking session isn’t going to suddenly bring us all into community, ready to commit to a fight against the death penalty. However, it was a good reminder of why door-knocking is worthwhile, and what possibilities it brings beyond getting residents to sign a petition.

   
   

Remembering why we do the work is important. Because the fact is door-knocking is uncomfortable.

   
   

It’s uncomfortable to knock on a stranger’s door. To start a conversation with residents who just want to shoo you away. To struggle through such a complex topic in broken mother tongue.

   
   

But remembering why we do it helps us lean into the discomfort. Only then can we develop new ways of relating and caring for each other.