The color of my revolution is denim no more?
Zubr (Bison) announced today interruption of all its activities under ZUBR brand and continuation of its struggle against the regime within the wide national movement. In my opinion, this is a positive stride. During the campaign, we had an abundance of youth groups trying to brand themselves as Pora (Ukraine), Khmara (Georgia) or Otpor (Serbia). Sometimes, it was hard to tell the difference. Their activities were not quite coordinated, goals and missions varied.
We had Zubr (Bison), Chas (Time), Chopic (Enough), Malady Front (Young Front), 3 Slach (Third Way), and others. Even “For Freedom,” which is now turning into a brand name for the united democratic forces, was initially a youth initiative.
Another thing is that I entirely disagree with the color choice during the campaign. The “denim” idea was introduced by Zubr, and I don’t know how it ended up as the main color theme. It is curious that the most active, vibrant part of Milinkevich’s HQ opposed to the jeans idea, and still it was chosen.
Clearly there are many reasons behind the Zubr’s decision to abandon their brand name and join the united movement. This is a good example for others to follow. At this point, there are many causes to bury the hatchet for those who feuded or competed in the past.
it is about the time, really. United we stand, what else can be said?It could be good idea to unite blogers as well.
Comment by Islander — May 6, 2006 @ 6:32 am
In Ukraine, we have tens of thoudsands of civic organizations. To cancel all and herd into one is a bad idea. It’s kolkhoz! Civic orgs is not into “brands”! They are about communisties, common goal and tasks. They are uncontrollable and should not be controlled by ‘wide daddies’. Why? - Beacause Bel opposition will lose supporters who dont want to be herded. The democracy movement would just shrink and sleep until the next elections 2009. On the countrary, Belarus need vibrant, new, low-cost/zero-cost, creative, serious, networked, local organizations to increase publicity and lure new supporters into a common mesh. ‘Za Svabody” will not fly, sorry: it lacks even a philosophy at least as strong as ZURB’s, which was nonviolent resistance. Look at what they do (http://by.milinkevich.org/data/ic_1/91342/), trying to control the uncontrollable! The organizations that you mentioned need to go on, develop, increase membership, netwok, provide security, provide creative ground for citizens - all which means to be civic society. They are the only hope for the political opposition in all aspects, starting from creativity and design, and ending with organizing campaign workers.
Comment by Steve — May 8, 2006 @ 6:57 pm
Steve, don’t get me wrong. I didn’t mean all the orgs should perish into the oblivion. Sure, they need to continue, develop, and spread their message. The more the better. This can’t be otherwise when we talk about the development of the civil society.
But the election is over, and there’s a big question for the political opposition – what next? My proposition would be - don’t stop, grow in numbers, spread out, forget about the squabbles and party lines. You can’t win when you are divided within. Sometimes one needs to accede, yield to others.
And ZUBR demonstratively set an example for the political entities – bury the hatchet, come to terms and cooperate. The real reasons for this move, however, are exogenous. That’s what I can gather.
Comment by Administrator — May 9, 2006 @ 12:51 am
Alex, if it is so, kudos to Javhen and Vlad. However, they need to make their archive online. Still, I feel the right paradign for winning democracy in Belarus is not there. Some indications are: inadequate coaltion building work, weak fundraising (zero unrestricted funding, actually), weak training, wrong accent on party work… They need experienced consultants from the West, where democracy has been practiced for a couple of hundred years. They need to find global Belarusians (ethnic Belarusians, Poles, Jews, Russians from Belarus) whose forefathers were forced out and who would like to help sweep out the Nazi sympathizing Lukashenko. The opposition needs to buils their muscle in all possible forms to win. Meaningless efforts like this — http://by.milinkevich.org/data/ic_1/91342/ —
— is not going to achieve. Good luck!
Comment by Steve — May 9, 2006 @ 10:00 am
Steve, you’re right – especially about the wrong accent on party work. That’s it. Btw, if you are interested in a more biting view on the ZUBR situation, please refer to this entry at Wolny’s blog. It is in Russian though.
Comment by Administrator — May 9, 2006 @ 2:08 pm
Thanks for the link. The past controversy (”conflict”) between ZURB and MF would have been very minor.
I happened to meet all people mentioned above in person.
People in Belarus pay too much attention to ‘who paid whom’ without appreciating the value of money that donors are providing. And they need to look for private money not governments’.
Comment by Steve — May 9, 2006 @ 7:57 pm