Update #8: The role of the dissident
Today I saw that Marty Markowitz once again used the leverage of his office to make the case that the Atlantic Yards project would be almost built if it wasn't for the complaining gentrifiers.
"If the folks that opposed this, hadn't tied the project up for 7 years in litigation Atlantic Yards a good piece of it would've built. The affordable housing would've been on it's way. The Nets would be playing in the arena and defeating the Manhattan Knicks."
"The folks that were impacted by eminent domain, overwhelmingly most of them did very well. The folks that are the loudest complainers, folks could argue are the gentrifiers."
Using the power of office to demonize those who raise important questions leads us to a quote from a more powerful politician and profound thinker. Vaclav Havel died yesterday. On the nature of opposition to power he had this to say;
"You do not become a dissident just because you decide one day to take up this most unusual career. You are thrown into it by your personal sense of responsibility, combined with a complex set of external circumstances. You are cast out of the existing structures and placed in a position of conflict with them. It begins as an attempt to do your work well, and ends with being branded an enemy of society." —Vaclav Havel
Some dissidents get beaten down. Others overthrow corrupt regimes and become President.
143
Backers
$9,406
pledged of $9,000 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on December 29.
Pledge $1 or more Pledge $1 or more
We appreciate the $1 pledges as much as the $100 (well almost ;). These pledges of support give us a great deal of energy. For $1 we will shout your name in the office.
Pledge $15 or more Pledge $15 or more
ticket to the screening at kickstarter headquarters in NY City on Jan 5 8PM throw in at least and extra 10 bucks and get a signed poster at the event as well.
Pledge $35 or more Pledge $35 or more
A pre-release DVD signed by the filmmakers.
Pledge $75 or more Pledge $75 or more
A signed DVD and poster.
Pledge $120 or more Pledge $120 or more
All of the above plus a RUMUR - T Shirt (printed on 100% cotton American Apparel).
Pledge $250 or more Pledge $250 or more
All of the above including a non-theatrical license to use the DVD in the classroom or community screening.
Pledge $500 or more Pledge $500 or more
All of the above plus a professionally framed poster packaged and shipped to your doorstep.
Project By
Has not connected their Facebook account.
RUMUR is an award winning multimedia production studio based in Brooklyn. Collaborating with high profile clients in the news, entertainment, consumer products, and non-profit industries, partners David Beilinson, Suki Hawley and Michael Galinksy bring an extensive array of skills and a tireless commitment to creating excellent and innovative work, regardless of medium.
Just curious - where or in what context did he say this? Thanks!
From his 1978 essay, “Power of the Powerless,” about his dissident status in the former Czechoslovakia