Explore “198 Methods of Nonviolent Action” and the Beautiful Trouble website (both in Week 3) and choose a tactic. Describe your tactic. Would this tactic promote cultural, disruptive, and/or organizational power? Why or why not?
Brad Newsham describes the disruptive tactic he calls the human banner. This essentially involves getting anywhere from a few hundred to thousands of people together and lined up to spell out a message or create an image or symbol with their bodies. This is a good tactic because, if done well, it creates a stunning view and is a physical image of support from many people. These impacts show off the tactic’s disruptive power. This type of action is very media-friendly; it provides a good visual for journalists to use and people to share on social media. Depending on the message or symbol and the use of social media to share it, this tactic can also use cultural power by forcing people to consider the issue. This means that more people will see both the message and the large number of people who clearly support it. However, this tactic is fairly difficult to pull off. Newsham says “A human banner can be spur of the moment … but conscientious planning can produce staggering works of aerial art.” A human banner requires extreme amounts of organizational power; leaders must gather a large enough group of people to create a large image without thin lettering or gaps, choose a good background that creates contrast and gives the opportunity to sketch or mark off the areas for people to stand, and choose a message that is clear, concise and visually appealing. One final planning need is finding a location from which to take the photo: a helicopter, tall building, etc. Another possible weakness of this tactic is its ability to create long-term change. People may think about the image or support the cause as it begins to circulate but over time, unless it is followed by other steps or actions, the movement may lose momentum and make people confused about how they are supposed to act and feel. Overall, a human banner can be an excellent method for creating social change, if it is executed well.
