Social movements and organizations give life to and encourage one another in numerous ways. Della Porta and Diani talk about this phenomenon in chapter 6 of their textbook, Social Movements. They say that as for the role of organizations, they act as sources of identities for movements and often have people join because they want to be apart of that particular movement. Organizations also act as a recruiting ground for movements, because when people decide to join or support an organization, they are often later motivated to participate in the movement because they are already involved in the organization. Della Porta and Diani also say that organizations keep movements alive during down times when the movements are inactive. Looking at the organization Take Back the Night, you see examples of the interaction between organizations and social movements. TBTN attracts many women who have been attacked or assaulted sexually, and those who have been affected some how by violent sexual acts. It gives women the power to feel as though they can do something in retaliation for the injustice that was done, and to fight to prevent similar incidences from occurring again. Women and men who are involved in the TBTN organization are often motivated to join the TBTN movements such as empowerment marches, candlelight vigils, and survivor speak outs. As Della Porta and Diani say, being a member of the organization often recruits these members to join the movements, because if they see fellow members getting involved in the action, then they think they should be too.
Della Porta and Diani say that movements also influence organizations. One of the ways in which this happens, is that movements will draw attention to related organizations when they get a response from the media and public. For example, I never knew there was a group called Take Back the Night until I heard about the empowerment march on campus that took place. It got coverage in The Breeze and was seen on flyers all over the commons. This event brought much attention to the actual group that fights to end sexual abuse, violence and rape. When a movement takes place where the organization isn’t present, the important issues discussed at the movement will still be significant to the organization. At survivor speak outs for TBTN, even if not all the members from the organization are present, the issues addressed at the movement still largely affect and promote what the TBTN organization stands for as a whole. Lastly, Della Porta and Diani say that the symbols of social movements can become symbols of a particular organization. When a burning candle is advertised with an announcement of a TBTN movement, it is a symbol that can often be associated with the organization as whole.
Della Porta and Diani also talk about two general types of organizations. The first one is called mass protest organization, where the actual events are the goal of the group, a long with the desire to draw attention to particular issues. The second one is called grass roots organizations. This type is longer lasting because it believes it’s’ cause is always on going and it is more concerned with social change and recruiting people into movements. Take Back the Night would fall into the grass root category because it continually strives to bring awareness to the public and to gain more members to increase their effectiveness. TBTN is just one example of the many ways that social movements and organizations largely give life to one another.
Della Porta and Diani say that movements also influence organizations. One of the ways in which this happens, is that movements will draw attention to related organizations when they get a response from the media and public. For example, I never knew there was a group called Take Back the Night until I heard about the empowerment march on campus that took place. It got coverage in The Breeze and was seen on flyers all over the commons. This event brought much attention to the actual group that fights to end sexual abuse, violence and rape. When a movement takes place where the organization isn’t present, the important issues discussed at the movement will still be significant to the organization. At survivor speak outs for TBTN, even if not all the members from the organization are present, the issues addressed at the movement still largely affect and promote what the TBTN organization stands for as a whole. Lastly, Della Porta and Diani say that the symbols of social movements can become symbols of a particular organization. When a burning candle is advertised with an announcement of a TBTN movement, it is a symbol that can often be associated with the organization as whole.
Della Porta and Diani also talk about two general types of organizations. The first one is called mass protest organization, where the actual events are the goal of the group, a long with the desire to draw attention to particular issues. The second one is called grass roots organizations. This type is longer lasting because it believes it’s’ cause is always on going and it is more concerned with social change and recruiting people into movements. Take Back the Night would fall into the grass root category because it continually strives to bring awareness to the public and to gain more members to increase their effectiveness. TBTN is just one example of the many ways that social movements and organizations largely give life to one another.
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