The Montgomery Bus Boycott had MLK at its leadership. We have… TikTok.

The Montgomery Bus Boycott had figures like MLK and Rosa Parks atop its leadership. The June 1st/Florida boycott has TikTokers and social media “influencers”. 

Is this advantageous or detrimental? 

Considering most people have social anxiety and won’t even leave their house unless they know every detail of the function in question and even then may not have the willpower to step out of their cocoon…

Is technology enough to keep us powered through this crisis? 

When exploring this paradigm we can immediately see the advantages in using technology to organize and inform regarding a mass movement. In just moments information can be dispersed to thousands, even millions of people connected via various platforms. But is this enough to mobilize and MAINTAIN a movement?

When comparing these two movements and their timelines, I can’t help but think of the Spiritual Factor. Keywords come to mind such as Endurance, Integrity, Faith. All necessary and irreplaceable when considering that boycotts and laws are not just about changing social conditions, they’re also about changing an environment that creates fright, pain, hostility, a sense of unjustified inferiority, that plants the seeds of self hate and treason.

Who is here to tend to our morale? How do we find common ground to stay united through this storm while movements are infamously neutralized by its members’ personal issues with each other and by members who claim leadership positions for their own benefit. 

Who is here to tend to our spirit? To keep us strong in this uphill battle with an inferior army… to keep our heart strong in the face of hate when the opposition enjoys privileges we may never know.

As we endorse this Florida boycott we must also take up habits that will make this movement and our spirits stronger with each rising moon.

Let us analyze each media story with CRITICAL THINKING.

Let us use technology to our advantage.

Let us pray and make offerings of smoke, spirit food and water to the ancestors that watch over our relatives in this diaspora.

Let us make actual donation$ towards FAMILIES directly affected by this displacement.

Let us analyze ALL candidates coming forward claiming leadership in this issue.

Let us flee from any organization and banner.

Let us organize within each other’s community a vast network similar to the days of pre colonialism. Personal. Familiar. Experienced.

Let us learn the laws and system that keep us in bondage so that we may use our collective critical thinking and consensus to strategize a path towards legitimate representation and compelling, sustainable change.

Let us make our Spirits STRONG.