Not long after Trump's election, I arrived in my shared classroom to the above sign on my pinboard. The general mood on the campus after the election was a mix of anxiety, sorrow, and anger, and I felt that this makeshift protest sign was somehow related to Trump's victory. Even though the sign was created by someone other than one of my students (at least I think this is the case) it was affecting the space and mood of my classroom, so I decided to address it during part of the lesson.
We discussed space and how space could be impacted in a way that changed mood and actions. Because of a rise in protests following and leading up to the election, I thought about Allen Ginsberg’s essay, “Demonstration or Spectacle As Example, As Communication or How to Make a March/Spectacle” wherein Ginsberg described ways in which a scheduled Vietnam war protest on the Berkeley campus might disrupt a violent counter-protest by the Hell's Angels. In one passage, he argues that “masses of flowers--a visual spectacle--especially concentrated in the front lines. Can be used to set up barricades, to present to Hell’s Angels, police, politicians, and press and spectators whenever needed or at parade’s end.” This concept was widely adopted, and you've likely seen images of "Flower Power" protests that stemmed from this kind of thought.
The idea of disrupting violence through spectacle stood out to me, and I thought about ways this might be achieved in our time as a means of thwarting potentially violent clashes between opposing protesters at protest marches/events.
For a time, before I was a teacher, I managed a care home for adults with emotional and developmental disabilities, many of whom were violent--throwing chairs, cans, plates (we only had plastic dishes) and really anything they could get their hands on. Other than removing the items from the home, which we occasionally had to do, we also practiced a kind of planned disruption where we would attempt to break the logic of the aggressive behavior by some random act like throwing flour in the air or suddenly making bird calls. Anything, really, to disrupt the logic of the moment, to try and break the chain of events that was incoming.
Ginsberg’s strategies function in a similar way--to disrupt the hate-logic of the moment as a means of dissuading individuals from practicing violence. Some of the techniques he advocated for included mass calisthenics, sit downs, chanting of familiar songs/prayers (the Lord’s prayer, Three Blind Mice, Star Spangled Banner, Etc), protest signs as spectacle, candy bars, and the aforementioned masses of flowers. Many of these ideas are staples of modern protest movements, and we would do well to revisit the actions and logic of past protesters.
One idea I had related to visual spectacle would be a Banana-peel wheelie shoes, something like Kobi Levi's design except they would have a small wheel so someone could “slip” around the protest creating a visual spectacle/distraction.
Masses of beach balls or other large (to prevent tripping) balls that could be tossed among the crowd. I think that a large amount of bouncy-balls could be effective, though they would present a tripping hazard.
Magicians tricks, things like fake smoke from the fingers along with a retreating motion away from violent or aggressive individuals. Magicians could also be dispersed in the crowd to provide other visual spectacles not related to the protest.
LED clothing, solar powered or using a small battery. Designs could be visually disruptive or deliver peaceful messages or nonsense messages.
Noise makers--There is a small McDonald’s toy that I recently purchased for my kids that is a green one-up mushroom that creates the extra-life sound when you press a button. The associations with the mushroom and sound should be generally positive, and similar effects could be created with other non-violent noise-making toys.
Costumes, especially of children’s characters. Anything non-violent/non-aggressive would work, but costumes that are widely recognizable and have positive associates would work best.
I would be interested in hearing your ideas about ways to disrupt violence before or as it is occurring. I value our rights to free speech in America, but I also value non-violence and would love to hear more ideas about ways to cultivate it.
Thanks for reading!
Image Sources: Flower Power, 1967, Bernie Boston.
Banana peel shoes, Kobi Levi.