Infighting takes place between any group of passionately divided members. It may be fueled by a personal difference or a judgement of a smaller groups actions. It can be horribly destructive and harmful to the main purpose of any activism. Handling infighting within a specific niche of the online activist realm can be challenging, but here are five tips (generated with the assistance of openAI chatGPT) to help manage the situation:
- Focus on a common goal: Remember why everyone came together in the first place. It’s important to remind the group of the common goal and the issues that they’re trying to address. Encourage the group to work towards a common goal rather than focusing on their differences.
Since 2020, many in this space have united under the umbrella of taking actions to advance consumer protection. This seems to be our common goal regardless of form of activism.
- Establish clear communication guidelines: Clear communication is essential in resolving conflicts. Establishing guidelines for communication can help reduce misunderstandings and conflicts. For example, consider setting up a code of conduct or establishing rules for how to address disagreements.
Comment below if you have some ideas of codes of conduct within this activism space. - Encourage respectful dialogue: Encourage group members to engage in respectful dialogue when they disagree. Encourage everyone to listen actively to each other and be open to hearing different viewpoints. Remind the group that respectful dialogue is necessary for building trust and finding common ground.
Learning how to respectfully honor everyones contributions and methods of communication is very hard in online groups, but it’s not impossible. This can be rectified. - Identify and address underlying issues: In-fighting is often a symptom of deeper underlying issues. Identify the root causes of the conflicts and work to address them. This could involve addressing power dynamics, lack of diversity, or unequal distribution of resources.
Within the AntiMLM space, there’s been a whole host of growing pains that’s a wonderful strength of its power, but is also long overdo for a check-up. - Consider mediation: If conflicts persist, consider bringing in a mediator. A mediator can help facilitate discussions, manage emotions, and help find solutions that are acceptable to everyone involved.
There are organizations and non-profits who support activism groups work through these periods of distress and turmoil. Activist Handbook offers a great inventory of these resources