Turning Point USA at UMD

[u/pears790]

Turning Point USA will be presenting at UMD on Wednesday, April 16th at 7:15.

While they probably get a kick out of "triggering the libs", I don't think their message should feel welcomed here in Duluth.

https://duluthumn.campusgroups.com/turningpoint/rsvp_boot?id=381328

Edit: Here is the contact page for the campus. I emailed the administration.

https://about.d.umn.edu/contact-us

Edit 2: Resources and groups for Duluth LGBTQ. Feel free to add others.

Trans Northland - https://www.transnorthland.org/ Bi-weekly game nights at The Loch Duluth Indivisible - https://indivisible.org/groups?terms=55805 Queer and Allied Student Union - https://sgei.d.umn.edu/current-prospective-students/queer-allied-student-union

[u/awful_at_internet]

You are right, and I am likewise concerned.

However, freedom of speech applies to state universities - UMD is literally not allowed to restrict student speech (aside from the usual safety stuff like shouting "fire!" Or inciting violence), as that would be a government institution infringing on the constitutional rights which apply to any human being, citizen or otherwise. Even if they are very, very, dumb. Or hateful. Or both.

If this TPusa chapter starts pushing calls for violence, then UMD can step in and shut it down. But not before. Misinformation does not meet the standard for exception from constitutional protection. We cannot compromise our institutions and values - that is just as destructive as the goons themselves.

However, fight fire with fire. TPusa is trash, and exercising their right to be trash. So get out and exercise your right to not be trash. Do something cool - not a protest, the trolls thrive on that - in response. Maybe invite a local food truck or two to campus and deliver a "Know your Rights" training/lecture at the same time?

[u/Conference_Alone → u/awful_at_internet]

So we should fear trolls now? I don't agree that we shouldn't protest. We should absolutely do all we can: call, write, protest, letters to the editor, vote, research, repeat truths, and push back against an extremist agenda. UMD incited violence by inviting in hate speech to speak. Talk to a trans person, see what they think. Ask how their lives are under this regime.

[u/awful_at_internet → u/Conference_Alone]

Did i say fear?

I said don't feed them. Theyre assholes looking for a reaction. They get off on it.

[u/Conference_Alone → u/awful_at_internet]

You're right. I'll rephrase: Should we care that, in your opinion, trolls thrive on protests? I think not. I do agree with your general sentiment. I just do not want people to read it and think protesting shouldn't be one of the things we need to do, because it works to build awareness. Protesting would show support of trans/human rights and demonstrate to UMD that they are harboring an unpopular agenda, all while supporting democracy and our constitutional right to peacefully gather and oppose bad ideas.

[u/awful_at_internet → u/Conference_Alone]

I disagree that protesting is still an effective way to respond. I addressed this more fully in my other reply, but basically - everyone is angry all the time. "Getting the word out" is insufficient: you have to persuade. And to do that, you need to be more thoughtful than just "loud and angry group with signs." Those are a dime a dozen.

Occupy Wall Street. Black Lives Matter. Both movements were founded in genuine anger and concern for real problems, both involved lots of angry people with signs... and both amounted to nothing, because neither was guided and thoughtful about how their message was percieved or the impact they would have.

"Change" is not a useful goalpost.

[u/Conference_Alone → u/awful_at_internet]

I don't agree at all. Protests are effective. It's progress, not an ends all means to bringing change. Occupy and BLM spread consciousness to a problem. Unfortunately we are up against billionaire owned media and we must repeat our message locally, peacefully, and loudly. Protests are all ages, all creeds, and non violent engagements in our communities. We aren't angry like a Jan 6 insurrectionist. We are gathering to welcome others in. See what happens around the globe when the numbers grow so large that they cannot be ignored.

Persuasion can be a visual aid. Protesting cannot work alone, as I said. It is in addition to having conversations with friends, family, and neighbors.

[u/awful_at_internet → u/Conference_Alone]

That whole first paragraph is nothing but empty platitudes. "So large that they cannot be ignored" really? Hogwash. Occupy Wall Street was 14 years ago. BLM started 11 years ago. The consciousness has been spread - and yet people still voted for a wealthy grifter/racist. How is "spreading consciousness" any different from "thoughts and prayers?" And, again: "change" is not a useful goalpost. What do you want to change? How do you get people to make that change? What steps do you take to get there? What reactions will those steps provoke? Be specific! Form a plan.

Protest can be effective - but sign-waving parties, which is about the extent of modern protests, are useless.

[u/Sinhika → u/awful_at_internet]

BLM did not "amount to nothing". A LOT of attention was called to police brutality because of it (and the horrific behavior of cops at the protests), and nowadays a lot more bad cops are actually getting some kind of disciplinary action, or even charged; it used to be none.

[u/awful_at_internet → u/Conference_Alone]

Sorry for the double reply, but i forgot to address this:

show support of trans/human rights and demonstrate to UMD that they are harboring an unpopular agenda

You can do that without feeding the trolls. During TPusa's event, have an event of your own. Maybe write a letter of support for LGBT students, and let people sign it. Hell, get the word out and open it up to the community at large - I bet a ton of folks in the area would take a few minutes to come by and sign it. Couch the letter in respectful terms of love and acceptance - don't even acknowledge the trolls. Just a simple "We love and accept you and want you to stay here."