I disagree with Elaine. There may be "many causes" or actions that the list members aspire to but as a purely email community (except for local groups) it is hard to see what statements and arguments about statements would ever do. I suggest the list members choose one issue to challenge as a group and that issue should be for us to demand that products and services cannot be advertised using the word "healthy". We can issue statement after press release about this and at least it will resonate with the millions of people tired of being told what is good for them.I doubt anyone will agree but, hey, it is a suggestion.
Craig
--- On Tue, 20/1/09, Elaine Douglas <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
From: Elaine Douglas <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: [COMMUNITYPSYCHUK] War - pause for action please!
To: [log in to unmask]
Date: Tuesday, 20 January, 2009, 2:32 PM
Hello
I would like to echo the feelings of atrocity at recent events in Gaza and the
desire to do something meaningful. I do not object to issuing the statement.
Like some others, I am not sure how much effect it will have, but do not think
it will be harmful.
However, I appreciate Grant's email which raises some of the limitations of
'our community', at present, to act effectively or democratically. I
agree that we should find the 'we' in order to consider a more formal
organisation that may be poised to effect action and/or build partnerships with
others to that aim. It feels to me that the current set up is not geared up for
that... perhaps it was never intended to be... and so operates well as a means
for many of us to share ideas, views and news etc, but is not necessarily the
correct vehicle for the demands that are being asked of it? I appreciate the
list for what it is, but in recognising its limitations, I'd be supportive
of opening a space in which we may move forward as a community so that we might
take action in the many causes that clearly drive the passions of this list.
Best wishes,
Elaine
________________________________
From: The UK Community Psychology Discussion List on behalf of Jeffrey, Grant
Sent: Tue 20/01/2009 11:00
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [COMMUNITYPSYCHUK] War - pause for action please!
I want to chip in some thoughts about this topic, from a purely personal angle.
Like Rebecca, I am slightly uncomfortable about the way we are proceeding:
For me the key points in recent postings, made by David, Mark and Jacqui
respectively include:
*<https://exchange.lse.ac.uk/exchange/DOUGLAS/Drafts/RE:%20[COMMUNITYPSYCHUK]%20War%20%20-%20pause%20for%20action%20please!.EML/1_multipart/image001.gif>
A feeling that "there may be more concrete community psychological
ways of expressing solidarity".
*<https://exchange.lse.ac.uk/exchange/DOUGLAS/Drafts/RE:%20[COMMUNITYPSYCHUK]%20War%20%20-%20pause%20for%20action%20please!.EML/1_multipart/image001.gif>
That there may be other routes for this kind of political action (that we
can share and cooperate in exploring - Wendy mentioned activites)and it seems to
me depressingly true but telling that "a group of psychologists isn't
the first place many of us would look to to organise political action".
*<https://exchange.lse.ac.uk/exchange/DOUGLAS/Drafts/RE:%20[COMMUNITYPSYCHUK]%20War%20%20-%20pause%20for%20action%20please!.EML/1_multipart/image001.gif>
Jacqui wrote "I am also concerned about the situation in Zimbabwe
which we are NOT seeing and which is NOT being reported on.". There is a
wide range of topics that list members might want to make statements about or
issue press releases on that are as pressing as the horror in Gaza.
The process of writing statements and press releases is problematic for me
because:
*<https://exchange.lse.ac.uk/exchange/DOUGLAS/Drafts/RE:%20[COMMUNITYPSYCHUK]%20War%20%20-%20pause%20for%20action%20please!.EML/1_multipart/image001.gif>
The 'we' of the CPUK community is a very vague and elusive
'we'.
*<https://exchange.lse.ac.uk/exchange/DOUGLAS/Drafts/RE:%20[COMMUNITYPSYCHUK]%20War%20%20-%20pause%20for%20action%20please!.EML/1_multipart/image001.gif>
I do not think list discussion is sufficiently inclusive for us to be
sure that the postings here represent any wider community. I often feel
discouraged from posting because of what I percieve as a lack of good spirit and
a dismissiveness, or just that my ill formed and tentative thoughts will meet
hostility - some other people feel the same. Email is a prickly medium.
*<https://exchange.lse.ac.uk/exchange/DOUGLAS/Drafts/RE:%20[COMMUNITYPSYCHUK]%20War%20%20-%20pause%20for%20action%20please!.EML/1_multipart/image001.gif>
We had 32 error messages from the list yesterday - some people are not
receiving the postings due to the length of the messages and are therefore
probably not in a position to comment.
*<https://exchange.lse.ac.uk/exchange/DOUGLAS/Drafts/RE:%20[COMMUNITYPSYCHUK]%20War%20%20-%20pause%20for%20action%20please!.EML/1_multipart/image001.gif>
I think we would be much more effective if any press releases or
statements we release specifically represent community psychololgical ways of
thinking and refer explcitly to work in CP.
The only two suggestions I can make are:-
If some of us decide that writing a 'statement' or press release is in
fact the right thing to do - let's have named signatories on an
'opt-in' basis instead of assuming that those who object will feel
empowered to speak out or challenge what is being done or said - some people
don't find it easy to post to the list, and find it harder still to post
objections.
A lot of us do want a clear and explicit sense of 'we' in the CP
community - if we want a strong political voice we must establish what we stand
FOR in the media and wider society first. I don't think the list is
sufficiently robust and formalised to carry forward and develop CPUK in a way
that will allow us to tackle the big issues that many of us care about. Could
the list develop into a more formal way of organising that is sustained by more
than email circulars? I would be keen to help develop a better Internet presence
that might offer more ways for people to contribute, debate, develop theory and
take action - but perhaps we also need a cooperative or a membership
organisation of some kind?
Just thoughts and suggestions - I know these points might represent a minority
view only!
Best wishes, Grant
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