Jeffrey Feldman - framing local issues
At the same event where I interviewed Jim Hightower, I caught up with Jeffrey Feldman of Frameshop. I’ve heard him speak in various panels and such, but this was the first time I had a chance to speak with him individually. Ladkiddo and I spoke with him here is our post.
At the risk of sounding like we are somehow “sucking up” - Jeffrey Feldman is a really nice, engaging and approachable guy!
I’ve had a theory that local politics are boring or, put another way - national politics are sexy. Yet, we are affected more by our local politicians than, say, the U.S. President. This is a general statement - a big brush stroke,but there is a basis of truth there.
Language is also important - the question is, since all politics are local - how does one use language to gather interest in an issue and garner support.
My notes are scattered, scratched on the back of a cocktail napkin, but here is what he said (parphrased):
Framing local issues is difficult. Not impossible, but don’t depend on local political committees to correctly frame the issues. If you are interested, you have to basically do it for them. [ladkiddo again-this is where RT, and progressive blogs in general come in]
Don’t be upset if you don’t get everything.
And, if I remember correctly, small victories over time. Maybe you get big wins, but small victories are just as good.
So how do you apply that locally?
Well - Let’s look at WROC and the upcoming format change. What exactly is wrong with a business changing its format? Is it the corporate evil doers taking away our “right”?” For some, maybe. But what this does for me is offend my sense of fairness (a good progressive value btw) . I listen to the radio as well as internet, and so on. The internet is not available in my car, but the radio is. Sure, I can buy some sort of mp3 player, plug it into my radio, but why does the burden fall on me? I don’t begrudge Rush, Sean or the other right wing talkers out there - I mean, they give me a reason to discuss politics with my conservative friends. Still, there is something wrong with the lack of alternatives in the same medium.
How about Brighton? Brighton wants to build a gated community and some other things along the greenspace on Westfall road. Brighton is 95% build out, has supposedly high taxes. This development, it is suggested, will lower the taxes. That is a good thing, isn’t it?
But there are folks who are upset over the proposed construction. How does the opposition frame the issue so their point resonates with others and gets across?
Well, how about this from the opposition web site?
… a gated community is antithetical to the character of Brighton as an open, neighborly town that values community.
That is a start.
Thoughts on framing local issues? As we are well aware, Republicans frame issues exceptionally well. It doesn’t matter if the actions or policy are wrong. They do it well.
How do we get it done?
This is a post about framing, correct?
“Brighton wants to build a gated community…”
Interesting.
OK - busted. The Town of Brighton appears to support a developer who want to build a gated community. At least that is the story going around.
Better?
Thanks, for the clarification, Stlo7.
Hopefully they will demand that the Übergigaplex be at least painted Green.
You know, for consistency sake.
“But what this does for me is offend my sense of fairness ”
I agree with the fairness thing. It isn’t fair that I am not represented by at least one Republican Senator, so perhaps Chuck will resign and Patterson can appoint a Republican.
Life just isn’t fair - and there is no way to legislate it.
Why can’t life be fair Elmer? Why not? Need to dream bigger Elmer.
I mean you at least get to vote for the Senators of this state. You don’t like them - you work to change it. You have options, options helps leveling the playing field. That the Senators are not of your party is immaterial.
But speaking of Fairness - our two NY Dem Senators were, for a reallly long time, in the minority so I guess from your perspective “life” was fair.
Re the 950 example - there is no option. No balance.
Any station is free to broadcast progressive programing - even WHAM could switch if they wanted to.
Yep - But they don’t. George Bush is free to end the war in Iraq as well.. What’s your point?
The point is if you feel it is unfair that there are no progressive radio stations in Rochester, I feel it is unfair that there are no money trees growing in my back yard. You get your station when I get my tree - except many progressives want to legislate what the free market won’t do - put liberal voices on the radio. Maybe they can legislate my money tree.
Nice try Elmer - there are no options is the point. When money trees become an option I suppose we can chat.
your underlying assumption is that there is a truly “free market” that acts as some sort of balance. sorry, in this case, media consolidation something you know too well sort of stifles that.
Of course, lack of progressive radio voice has given rise to blogs as an option but truth be known not everyone has access or is active on blogs (i.e. reads them). Much as there is disdain for local newspapers - lots of people get there news from papers.
The other point of course is that I already have my station. But failed management, lack of promotion, and all that are taking it away. Basically management NOT THE MARKET is choosing an easy wrong over a difficult right.
The “right” of course being some sort of balance.
You can list all kinds of things that aren’t fair. The world is inherently unfair, and this is part of why progressives fight– to make the world a better, fairer place for everyone. Can you tell me a better way to get leverage to make the world a better place than through government via legislation?
Otherwise, it’s unfair that companies would get to poison our kids with lead paint on toys, even though it makes them more money doing that. The free market is a nifty idea, but with the lead paint example, it’s a blind, angry elephant rampaging through a daycare.
[...] We discuss progressive infrastructure and message as we continue to share our Netroots Nation experience. Jeffrey Feldman gives us a lesson in Framing. [...]