Obama had always believed in abortion and gay rights, but he kept it to his closest circle. #RulesForRadicals #BookReviewFriday #HBC
In his own words, “I have always believed that birth control and abortion are personal rights to be exercised by the individual. If, in my early days when I organized campaigns for neighborhoods in Chicago, which was 95 per cent Roman Catholic, I had tried to communicate this, even through the experience of the residents, whose economic plight was aggravated by large families, that would have been the end of my relationship with the community. That instant I would have been stamped as an enemy of the church and all communication would have ceased”.
Great leaders may not always be right but they deliver their message and wrongs even rightly. Their trick is simple, on a voyage of a cause, whether wrong or right, in the words of John Maxwell, “reach for their hearts before you reach for their hands”. I once read the controversial book titled “Rules for Radicals” by the Satanist Saul Alinsky with its foreword clearly dedicated to Lucifer. The reason for the good read is being that ” if you don’t know the laws and rules, it’s easier for it to be used against you”.
The first time I picked up that book, what struck me was the dedication page. It simply said “This book is dedicated to the first radical known to man who rebelled against the (heaven) establishment and did it so effectively that he at least won his own kingdom — Lucifer”. I flinched. But does he connect so well to billions with his lies, definitely yes.
The book was originally written for activists and radicals, but I think it’s a good book for business, advocacy and to win battles in any realm, including the spiritual. There are 13 rules and it’s as follows
1. Power is not only what you have, but what the enemy thinks you have.” Power is derived from 2 main sources – money and people. “Have-Nots” must build power from flesh and blood.
2. “Never go outside the expertise of your people.” It results in confusion, fear and retreat. Feeling secure adds to the backbone of anyone.
3. “Whenever possible, go outside the expertise of the enemy.” Look for ways to increase insecurity, anxiety and uncertainty.
4. “Make the enemy live up to its own book of rules” If the rule is that every letter gets a reply, send 30,000 letters. You can kill them with this because no one can possibly obey all of their own rules.
5. “Ridicule is man’s most potent weapon.” There is no defense. It’s irrational. It’s infuriating. It also works as a key pressure point to force the enemy into concessions.
6. “A good tactic is one your people enjoy.” They’ll keep doing it without urging and come back to do more. They’re doing their thing, and will even suggest better ones.
7. “A tactic that drags on too long becomes a drag.” Don’t become old news.
8. “Keep the pressure on. Never let up.” Keep trying new things to keep the opposition off balance. As the opposition masters one approach, hit them from the flank with something new.
9. “The threat is usually more terrifying than the thing itself.” Imagination and ego can dream up many more consequences than any activist.
10. “The major premise for tactics is the development of operations that will maintain a constant pressure upon the opposition.” It is this unceasing pressure that results in the reactions from the opposition that are essential for the success of the campaign.
11.“If you push a negative hard enough, it will push through and become a positive.” Violence from the other side can win the public to your side because the public sympathizes with the underdog.
12. “The price of a successful attack is a constructive alternative.” Never let the enemy score points because you’re caught without a solution to the problem.
13. “Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it.” Cut off the support network and isolate the target from sympathy. Go after people and not institutions; people hurt faster than institutions.
My favorite lessons from the book:
- Beware of useful idiots
- Power can only go to two people, to those who have the money, or to those who have the people. If you haven’t gotten any of these, stay off the game. #RulesForRadicals
3. The Prince by Machiavelli was written for the Haves on how to hold power, but The Rules For Radicals is written for the Have Nots on how to take it away. This is why every Nigerian youth should read the book. This is important because Africa has the youngest population in the world , out of the 54 countries, at least 24 of them have presidents that are aged above 70. So our youths need to do more. It starts by disrupting every part of the system. #RulesForRadicals.
Good or bad, being organised is everything , real change comes from organisation.
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Eizu,©Hexavia!
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1 comment
Interesting…