Thread by @itsmebeccam

I’ve had this on my heart for a while.

I think we as active Democrats need to better evaluate how much time we’re spending on Facebook + Twitter versus talking to voters via phone banks, peer to peer texting, + knocking doors.

Tweeting and memes will not beat Trump. (thread)

Recently I was added to a group on Facebook that I won’t name because I still think it’s a fine progressive group. Upon joining, I noticed the group was entirely made up of memes, articles, + videos.

Do not get me wrong, spaces where we can discuss common frustration are vital!

But when I make a post about a phonebank or direct action item in a group like this, it doesn’t even get half of the interaction a meme does.

I’m not going to lie, this has been frustrating for me to see, especially when I was an organizer who could’ve used more volunteers.

I honestly think that people who aren’t organizers don’t understand how effective making calls, texts or knocks can be for a candidate.

I had vols who were understandably discouraged when they called through a list and didn’t find a supporter. But even 1 good convo is worth it.

For example, you call 100 people one day. 10 pick up. 5 are undecided. Your personal story relates to 2 of them.

1 is a supporter. That supporter becomes a vol.

The next time you both combined call 200 people. The 2 that related to your story are now supporters. 400 people.

I cannot express this enough, Twitter is NOT the American electorate.

When I was an organizer, the debates and drama that people were throwing themselves into on this site were not the things voters brought up when I was on their doorstep.

It is two different worlds.

No matter how many followers you have, at the end of the day you’re essentially speaking in an echo chamber and not bringing new voters into the fold.

The only way we will defeat Donald Trump is by making direct contact with voters supplemented with digital presence.

I know this thread might sound preachy, so maybe I should say here as an Extremely Online™️ individual that I have often fallen into the unbalance too.

At the end of the day ask yourself, instead of an hour of tweeting can I do an hour of texts? Calls? Doors (in the future)?

What is the percentage of time that you spend online versus the time that you spend mobilizing voters with your favorite campaign(s) + org(s)? Do you know your local organizer?

I can assure you that no matter what your skill set, strong or inexperience, campaigns need your help.

(I also want to acknowledge that some folks have very real barriers to DVC, whether it be chronic illness, anxiety, etc. Having an online presence might be the only way your can contribute at this point in time, which we’re grateful for 💓)

In all, I just really hope with everything on the line all of us can reevaluate the amount of time we spend in online echo chambers/debating with people who have already made up their minds versus working with campaigns and organizations to bring more folks into the movement.

A lot of voters really just want to be felt seen and heard during these scary times and have their faith in government restored.

By you giving them a call, text, or knock on their door, you’re a friendly face who can assure them of our collective power.

~end of thread~