Persistent, connected, brave - lessons from Generation Change
The Radio 4 series Generation Change aired through May 2022 (if you haven’t had a chance, catch up with it here on BBC sounds).
As Samira Ahmed drew out personal stories and found out what keeps campaigners going even when the inevitable setbacks happen, I was listening intently to the spark and crackle of their conversations. When the emotional temperature rose, it tried to keep enough of a cool head to spot themes and issues to highlight on air.
Having worked in and around social change all my professional life, it was a treat to be part of this programme. And I set myself a challenge. To use this as opportunity to look at these campaigns with new eyes and fresh curiosity.
This is what I learnt about the campaigners.
1. Persistent
One thing all the campaigners held in common was their persistence.
They all talked of “big moments” - from the launch of “Cathy Come Home”, to the tragedies of New Cross, George Floyd and the outcry following brutal murders of women. But they also talked of the slow chipping away required to shift public attitudes, set the right terms for a debate and to promote new policy approaches.
2. Connected
The luxury of 45 minutes of radio time meant that campaigners could spend time sharing stories and aims, not just trading positions or responding to today’s news. The faultlines that we assumed existed among our campaigners melted away when people talked. There was genuine warmth in the room and many phone numbers exchanged on the walk out of the studio.
The importance of connection and building a movement of people working towards the same end was recognised whatever the issue. And on a more personal level, given that social change can be exhausting, everyone spoke about the solace they took in the company of others working for the same end, whatever their age.
3. Brave
The final, and probably most striking, thing was how brave all these campaigners were. From living with violent threats, to overcoming a deep sense of shame thorugh to living daily with racist aggression, each campaigner had an impressive bravery.
But this is not to fall into the “hero myth”. Rather it is to recognise campaigning is a personal endeavour as well as a political one. And the bravery also expressed itself in using big and bold terms to describe why they did what they did. They were at their most inspiring when they talked about working for dignity, freedom and the role of love, compassion and empathy in making change happen.
Across the series, there were moments of stark and shocking reality and a sense of progress never being made fast enough. But on a final tally, the creativity, passion and commitment of each generation of campaigners won out and their willingness to continue to be persistent, connected and brave is a lasting inspiration.