It’s official: World Can’t Wait is collecting dues.

And I’m not surprised. It’s February of 2008, the Senate Judiciary Committee has closed its eyes and ears on the impeachment movement, and another thing… how is an grassroots organization that’s taken an extremely negative stance on any contact with Congress going to succeed in a mission that, well, requires Congressional action?

I was heavily enmeshed in the organization when World Can’t Wait jumped on the impeachment bandwagon (strangely weeks after sending massive emails to organizers proclaiming impeachment to be a “waste of time”), and I thought it was for the best. There’s a lot protests, civil disobedience, direct action, and grassroots organizing can accomplish. We can end wars, fight police brutality, raise awareness about racism and violence against women, even create our own temporary solutions and resources until our movements attain more permanent brands of social justice. But let’s be honest. Getting a sitting president out of office (without doing some things I’d end up in Guantanamo for mentioning here) requires at least one of two variables: an already established massive movement based in a radical culture, or some serious grassroots organization that’s not afraid to dip its hands into, yes, the dirty abyss of our standing political structure. While WCW organizers sat dreaming of the 60s and trying to literally recreate it, it was becoming undeniably apparent to many of us that that was no longer an option. Building movements, sure. But relying completely on millions of people to suddenly join us in the streets demanding Bush step down? It seemed a little far-fetched, not to mention a waste of time when, to use the language of World Can’t Wait, people were dying, being tortured, and laws were being passed compromising our freedoms at home.

Things got even more confusing once we joined the impeachment movement. It seemed we were still working towards that million plus in the streets, except instead of chanting “Bush Step Down,” it was “Impeach Bush.” Who? Who should impeach Bush? Not Congress, no. We didn’t go there. We were truly grassroots and revolutionary. So… who?

That contradiction ended it for me as I more and more began to see WCW as a dead end movement.  And don’t exacerbate me by pulling the “I don’t see you starting a massive movement with celebrity endorsements” bullshit.  That sounds more and more like big businesses blaming local mom and pop stores for not being able to hold their heads above water; it’s not that they haven’t tried with all their might to flourish, it’s that the big guys flood the industry with such top-down leadership that no one else stands a chance.  I’m not saying WCW is Wal-Mart or anything (hey, I’m trying to pin them as a dying movement, right?), but it’s damn near impossible to build a truly grassroots movement when groups like WCW, UfPJ, and ANSWER dominate demonstrations and what goes on at them with such an iron fist.  Movement building requires big names, lots of money, fliers, bodies, and full-time activists.  I’ve got none of those.

But what I do have is knowledge of what a last resort looks like.  When I was an organizer with World Can’t Wait, I was constantly receiving emails and phone calls pressuring me to fund raise every chance I got.  Fund raise for what?  I never could tell, and neither could WCW’s donors.  Which is why they’re collecting dues now.

It just seems so strange, a grassroots movement requiring monetary support for “membership,” especially so late in the game.  Actually they’re pinning it as more of a donation, a “membership drive” instead of a fundraising drive.  Something that will make you more of a sustainer I guess:

“Now, for the first time, you can become an official member of Nation magazine’s MOST VALUABLE CRUSADE of 2007, World Can’t Wait. Whether you are an activist, a supporter, or new to World Can’t Wait, we welcome you to not only join today, but to bring your family and friends on board, too! Simply select your preferred giving-level and sign-up today!”

I could speak volumes on the choice of the word “crusade,” but that’s a whole other entry!  But I was so confused by this.  Here I am, recently left my local chapter but still on the national organizer’s list, getting an email telling me that all the meetings I ran, events I helped plan and implement, conferences I attended, hours I spent doing outreach, and yes, DOLLARS I spent on the movement that I never even ASKED to be reimbursed for did not, in fact, make me an “official member.”  I have to give money for that.

But wait!  Surly the communist involvement with the organization understands economic hardship… right?

“World Can’t Wait is an inclusive organization.  We truly value everyone’s commitment. If cash flow is an issue under the economic failure of the Bush regime, then simply set up your membership with convenient monthly installments. OR become a valued World Can’t Wait member simply by recruiting two new members, or hosting a house party.”

Monthly installments, friends with money, or the time to organize and host a house party (still can’t figure out what that one is) on top of everything else you’ve already done.

Now I can understand vanguard groups collecting dues to sustain the papers they print.  That seems reasonable.  But World Can’t Wait is supposed to be a grassroots organization, and limiting membership to those who literally BUY it, that just seems like the final breath of a quickly failing movement.  Besides, will they be collecting dues from all those celebrities they like to tout as being signatories of the Call?  Gore Vidal?  Sean Penn?  Tim Robbins?

Boy I’m glad I got out when I did.

Yours in the Struggle,
E.G. Smith