When the old order of things collapses, some people want to restore what they lost, while others demand a new order that doesn’t simply expect them to admire the Emperor’s new clothes. I am unabashedly with the ‘others’ even if that means I find myself demanding the impossible.
I recently recorded a rally in which recently displaced federal workers in New York chanted “Let Us Work!” They wanted to regain what they had lost. In the latest missive to my post-LinkedIn professional network, I offer my thoughts on why this message is weak and incoherent.
What I'm Hearing: "Let Us Work!"
In what sense is “Let Us Work!” a weak message? First, it conflates work with jobs. Second, it represents a denialist response to the problem at the heart of the displaced workers’ predicament. Third, it misses the opportunity to deliver the right message: Stop Stealing!
As I point out in this essay, petitioners with weak and incoherent messages don’t necessarily fail. Similarly, strong and coherent messages don’t always lead to success. Still, I’ll take my chances with strength and coherence.
As usual, if you like to discuss anything I’ve published on this blog, book a free video meeting.
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