How to Use This Handbook
The communication methods used by social movements in the United States and around the world have have been evolving constantly since the 19th century, beginning with non-digital communications. In modern activism, although communication practices rely on social media, email, online meetings, and other digital tools, a lack of access and education about these digital tools can disempower community members. This “digital divide” of information being lost is, too, rooted in
systemic exclusion from the providers of the information and the exclusionary politics of these platforms. Communication circles are a purposeful effort to come together to discuss communication challenges, make sense of the challenges in a broader political framework, and discuss potential solutions. Because participants come from all around the south, communication circles also provide an opportunity to harmonize discussions and strategies across the movement.
The Southern Movement Assembly has developed a communication practice which relies on some digital, but primarily non-digital tools, such as community events, newspapers, word of mouth, and door-to-door dissemination, each of which emphasize inclusion and personal histories. Communication methods are translated into purposeful action – practicing the means of those tho will be reached – by creating physical versions of digital communications through printing and verbal transmission.
This handbook has been created as a tool for political education and understanding current communication needs.
Section 1: The Culture of Movement Communications
This section describes the current landscape of communication needs, existing solutions, and the shortcomings of existing solutions.
Section 2: History of Movement Communications
The history section is a timeline of US South in relation to grassroots movements and the evolution of communication technologies.
Section 3: Practice of Movement Communications
This section discusses the radical inspirations, theory, and practices behind communication circles.
Section 4: Living Document of Movement Communications
Section 4 documents the strategies and decisions made by communication circles any time they are held. These can be used so that future circles can reference and build upon existing strategies.