(scribe: Chiaroscuro)

Icarus Community Conference Call September 20, 2009

Present on the call:

FightForRoses: New Jersey
MadKamp: New York
Jonah: New York
Chiaroscuro: Washington state

MadKamp agreed to be note-taker for this call, but it's difficult to take notes while speaking and he spoke a lot, so I did backup notes. Hopefully he'll add/clarify as needed.

We start out with a request for MadKamp to clarify the critique he posted in this thread.

MadKamp: Wants to see a greater "semblance of unity," people getting involved more, louder voices. References Malcolm X and MLK duality in the civil rights movement, how a more militant voice provided alternatives. Wants to challenge mad pride movement leaders to "step it up" more. Don't mince words, don't be afraid to ruffle feathers. Be outspoken. Galvanize survivors. (Critique is elaborated upon further in the call)

We talk some about David Oaks and the ABC piece, with some agreement that he spoke well and got some subversive messages out through what Jonah called "that surreal patchwork of a cartoon."

MadKamp broaches idea of public "soapbox forums" in parks like the LGBT movement has done. Opportunity for each person present to air grievances, share experiences and connect. I mention issue of stigma and personal risk. Jonah affirms importance of comfort boundaries but points out that current destigmatization efforts led by NAMI and such are just "sending people to the prescription pad."

FFR shares some tips about tactics that she's picked up from recent organizing work. Outlines difference between building alternative institutions (peer support groups, alternative crisis centers) and counter institutions (protest, advocacy, engaging with mainstream media). Often, activist orgs only engage with the mainstream in the form of protest. She highlights the value of also working within more mainstream systems such as the legal system and electoral politics.

In terms of media coverage and how to present oneself: Tone vs Content. One effective strategy is to keep tone moderate but content radical. Don't use a lot of jargon that might scare away people who potentially agree with you, but don't back down on essentials or compromise key points.

Jonah mentions the SmartMeme Manual which is all about narrative persuasion. It's hard to convince people with facts and logic, but weaving points into a story is very effective. Likes the soapbox forum idea, thinks it would be a good way to "tune the knobs" among like-minded folks to make stories more accessible and prepare to engage with the mainstream.

Jonah and FFR touch base about a local college professor who's an Icarus ally, FFR is delighted to learn.

MadKamp observes that these kinds of tidbits often get lost in the cracks. Feels that the Icarus site is kind of fractured -- it would be useful for members to obtain this kind of info on a timely basis. I ask for ideas about what might help. MadKamp suggests a "daily digest" email list like MindFreedom has. Jonah mentions that there's a way of getting RSS feeds from the forums, but points out the delicate balance between public and private. I agree, and highlight the dual roles of the TIP site -- both support forum and info/outreach with each component being vital.

More discussion about cultivating media and communications strategies. Jonah shares that he will be speaking about "drugs as a form of media" at an upcoming communications conference. He's also designed some Icarus t-shirts. I talk about the Icarus zine project and getting our ideas off the internet and into the streets and the psych wards.

There's some general shared frustration with projects not being supported. How to rally and energize people to be active and participate? How to support people in stepping up when they're already coping with so much? Jonah suggests a "hybrid way" -- recognizing that activism can be therapeutic.

We talk a bit about the disconnect between local groups and the web community. People tend to be active in one or the other, not much info flow between them. I urge local activists to keep web folks in the loop. Jonah observes that the forums can be confusing for people who don't spend much time on them. What info goes where?

I believe FFR and then Jonah left the call at this point. I'll try to give a brief summary of the subsequent discussion later... it covered a lot of territory.