From the Frontlines: Chicago

Tatyana Chante, Chicago Organizer

Featuring Tatyana Chante

It’s been almost a month since the awakening of the modern civil rights movement. As more citizens take the streets in big cities and small towns alike, more agitators are attempting to infiltrate and cause trouble to further vilify protestors. While black protestors are often stigmatized by the media as “rioters,” “violent,” and “angry,” another negative adjective that has come with the recent protests is “disorganized.” Our millennial and Gen Z leaders beg to differ.

Chicago organizer Tatyana Chante sits down with us to share their tips on organizing your protest and keeping yourself healthy while fighting the power.

Organizing

1) Do it through a local organization, they will have the resources to get legal observers, street medics, and other precautions to keep people safe. 

2) Make a Facebook event and communicate to people a lot through there by posting. It keeps them active and excited about it. 

3) Have a clear mission about what you want and keep stressing it when you post.

4) Don’t let anyone post the route ahead of time.

5) Tell people what they can do from home if they cannot attend the protest.

Of course, in addition to demonstrating and chanting, every revolution has its share of anarchy. From burning and dismantling oppressive establishments to simple graffiti, this layer of the movement receives the harshest treatment from critics, generalizing BLM activists into one violent category. Here’s Tatyana’s take on rioting and looting:

“I think people have become too focused on the act itself and aren't asking, ‘Why do people feel so desperate that they need to steal something? Who are we to judge people for wanting the same things we have that we can afford? What governmental and societal issues prevent people from feeling like they don't have enough and need to steal to survive?’ I think the media would still be covering the protests that are still going on if they asked these questions and brought in a variety of people and perspectives to answer them.“

Self Care

• Spend time away from your phone or computer. Watch a TV show, read a book, go for a walk, or hang out with some friends to help recharge you.

• SLEEP! The days leading up to and after the protest I did not sleep and was not a functioning human being. It’s very important to remind yourself that a lot of things can wait and it’s okay to not be available 24/7.

• EAT! Food is also important and helps you stay energized. I feel like this makes sense.

• Don’t get into arguments publicly online. It’s not helpful and destroys any fighting energy you have left in yourself. It’s one thing to have a conversation with someone on the phone; but when it’s in the comments section, something about it becomes performative and people aren’t there to listen or change their mind.

• Don’t feel like you need to respond to everyone messaging you. It becomes very overwhelming and time consuming and as much as it’s good to be open and available it’s not always good for your mental health.

There will always be more to do, more to post, and more to organize. As we move into a new week of resistance, taking care of ourselves will be crucial. If you are on the ground this week, fight on. If you are behind the scenes, keep on. And if you need to take break, trust your team to hold it down. We’ll see you soon.