Organizing. Advocacy. Power.
Keep these three words in mind.
When we consider how to enact meaningful change in our communities or on a grand scale, it’s easy to overcomplicate things. Though advocacy looks different everywhere, recognizing the intersectionality of advocacy is vital in fighting for a more equitable future.
In comes The Flossy Organization. The Flossy is a grassroots nonprofit aimed at addressing structural inequities in the Canarsie neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY, by giving community members the tools they need to advocate against personal and communal injustices.
This Summer, I’ve thrown myself into this exhilarating advocacy work. As a Summer 2024 Future Leaders in Action (FLIA) fellow with The Flossy, I’ve been involved in wide-ranging community justice action tackling issues including gun violence, transit equity, environmental equity, and housing justice. Through every conversation, meeting, community event, or canvass, those three words I mentioned earlier are very much present:
Organizing. Advocacy. Power.
In that order, these terms represent how we can actively motivate ourselves and others to effectively enact change and spread positivity. They display how all routes of advocacy converge to successfully fight for those in disadvantaged environments.
I’ve called Brooklyn home my entire life. Growing up in the middle of two neighborhoods that project two dramatically different life paths for its residents, I learned the pernicious impact of inequality. I’ve also seen first-hand the power behind organizing and unifying our communities in the fight against injustice. This fight requires patience, determination, and momentum that at times is difficult to feel. But when initiated, it is unstoppable.
In a sweltering mid-July community canvass, I conversed with a local resident who was strictly concerned about teen vandalism. The more we talked, the more issues we discussed—gun violence, park inequity, transit inequity, and educational inequality. The connection between these prominent issues aren’t always obvious, but when we rally around one, we build momentum for addressing another. Advocating against teen vandalism can soon turn into advocating for increased youth summer programs or improved park space with facilities for teens. This is how we bring people across generations, ideals, and backgrounds together. This is how we effectively organize in a community.
When we organize, our advocacy efforts not only become easier, they become dynamic.
When we organize, our advocacy efforts not only become easier, they become dynamic. The Flossy’s motto looks to build on the power every community member possesses to reshape their community. This power translates to tangible action when we raise the confidence and competence of all residents. If we can equip residents with the resources and tools they need to become changemakers, we can turn ideas into a movement.
Though short-term change is gratifying, the issues we’re tackling are deeply entrenched into our systems and demand a long-term approach. This is where the youth comes in. The Flossy aims to train the next generation of changemakers to spark deep systematic transformation. At The Fresh Creek School and P.S. 276 Louis Marshall, we interacted with 150+ youth and promoted advocacy and positivity to students. They learned about key issues, organizing strategies, and even gained practice in leading a rally with a loudspeaker. Centering and supporting the youth is crucial in impactful advocacy… and a lot of fun!
So how does power come into play? My work with the Flossy this summer isn’t just about unifying folks to fight the power of unjust institutions. We’re building our own power. Within all our communities we navigate levels of power consistently. We talk to store owners, clergy, community leaders, principals, law enforcement, and others. Recognizing these power dynamics and your own position of power can help unify all members of your community. Effective organizing and advocacy leads to a unified front of residents that have power to enact meaningful change. Collective action is unstoppable. I’m confident the more issues we fight for, the more people will understand the importance of advocacy.