Towards an understanding of the issue of gender, race, and sexual harassment: a critical analysis of Mitchell’s warning on the attack against Congress
People in charge are afraid of people who aren’t. Professors say they are afraid of their students. Publishing executives fear the wrath of junior employees. C.E.O.s worry about staff revolts. Museum curators watch what they say lest it lead to professional annihilation. Politicians in senior positions are nervous about the newbies — on their own side.
I think a lot about this, as organizations capitulated in the face of mob rage to avoid having to stand up for principle. I thought about it again last week when I heard that if she had organized the attack against Congress, we would have won. Not to mention, it would’ve been armed.”
Many left-wing activist groups and nonprofits have become internally chaotic because of sexual harassment and racial justice issues in recent years.
Addressed to the left, Mitchell’s keen, insightful essay seemed designed to be ignored by the broader public. It was published on various platforms geared toward professional organizers including The Forge and Nonprofit Quarterly. It has been received well among many progressive leaders. It “helped to put language to tensions and trends facing our movement organizations,” Christopher Torres, an executive director of the Leadership for Democracy and Social Justice institute, said at a Tuesday webinar devoted to the article.