Over the weekend, the Plural team attended Austin Unified Jam, a celebration of activist culture. Each year, Unified Jam brings together local and national voices to talk about the work they’re doing, learn from each other, and strengthen the organizer community. Read on to learn Plural team member Sophia Anwar’s takeaways from the event. Interested in learning more about Plural? Book a demo with Sophia today!
Civic Engagement During COVID-19
At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, there was an outpouring of civic engagement. Americans, regardless of their demographics or socioeconomic class, were suddenly more engaged than ever. Where is that outpour of engagement today? What aspects of daily life restrict the ability of people in communities across America to engage? Prohibitively expensive childcare, long work hours, a lack of transportation, exhaustion, defeat? Unified Jam panelists brought this question to the forefront and tackled it in interesting ways throughout the event.
The Digital Landscape of Civic Engagement
According to the panelists, one solution to improve civic engagement is technology. The events of 2020 forced every organization and company to adapt to a virtual environment. While there was certainly a learning curve to overcome during the beginning of the virtual era, across the country, people found ways to stay connected. This connection allowed those who were previously barred from engagement to jump on a Zoom call and get started.
The 2008 presidential campaign put digital on the map. Today, there is no civic or political engagement that occurs without a digital presence. With the plethora of social media and technology platforms, how do you build an authentic voice and utilize digital tools to reach your goals? At Plural, we recognize that tackling systemic issues or attempting to overhaul years of policy is not something that can be shouldered by one person alone. It takes a community. Community building and coalition building is a tried-and-true tactic. It’s true for our representatives in Congress as they build a majority, it’s true in our cities as we show up and represent our voting bloc, and it’s true in state houses across the country as buses pull up for lobby days with their state legislators. But community and coalition building takes time that not every organization has.
AI as a Tool for Community Organizers
Through the recent spur of AI technology, manual efforts to pull public data can be done in a few clicks, freeing time to strategize and work through solutions. AI can be a great tool for community organizers, allowing them to reach every member of their community all year round while also gathering timely, accurate, and accessible information, work that used to take extensive time, money, and effort.
A New Generation of Leaders
Another rallying cry that was voiced throughout the event was the need for authentic, diverse leaders. It’s easy to applaud the folks who are using nontraditional means to engage a wider audience, often becoming viral sensations in the process through TikTok and other social media platforms. What are we doing to support this next generation of leaders? How do we lift the voices of not just one, but many leaders who have the resources and tools to stay engaged and create change? The answer came down to leadership pipelines, supporting movement leaders, and providing tools for communities to sustain themselves.
Key Takeaways from Unified Jam 2023
We are a nation full of rich stories and lived experiences. Our experiences and triumphs are a part of our narrative. In the extreme polarization of today’s issues, what’s missing is the human component. We are sold stories of the other without ever knowing that the other is our neighbor. Finding connection and channeling it as our political voice will help us achieve unity. We need to listen to our storytellers, and use their gifts to cut through the noise.
At Plural, we want to help you tell your story and help you ensure that the voices of your community are being heard at the table where decisions are being made.
Are you ready to learn more about the power of Plural for community organizing and civic engagement?
