Overview:
Richard Spencer will hate-spew at Michigan State University in 2 days (March 5) and possibly at University of Michigan later this term. A safe, online protest will fund 12 local anti-racism groups based on the number of words he speaks. This methodology could be used in any area where such haters plan rallies.
Website of the Protest
Have Your Speech and Eat It Too: Matching Fascism Word for Word
Summary
“Have Your Speech and Eat It Too is an initiative developed by a loose coalition of students, faculty and staff at the University of Michigan in response to the systematic attack on college campuses by white supremacist provocateurs. Using a weaponized version of “free speech,” they explicitly threaten people of color and other minorities with a platform of “peaceful ethnic cleansing” that disrupts the learning and work environment on campuses forced to host their divisive presence.
No one invited Richard Spencer to the University of Michigan or to Michigan State University. While UM has announced that Spencer will not make an appearance until sometime after the main part of the academic year is over, our colleagues at MSU will suffer his presence in early March. In the aftermath of Charlottesville, the prospect of having white supremacist agitators and torch-bearing thugs on our campuses has spread fear throughout our community. This has already severely disrupted students' ability to do their work, to focus on their studies, and enjoy the intellectual opportunities a university is meant to provide. While the fear is real and reasonable, we can respond with solidarity and empowerment.
Have Your Speech and Eat It Too invites you to appropriate the hate speech of white supremacists and divert their words to anti-racist causes. During an average appearance, Spencer spouts about 3,000 to 4,000 words. Our campaign is designed to transform each one of those words into money that will go to support a group of organizations that are doing vital anti-racist work in Michigan. (From the website)
How It Works
Donate a penny (or more, if you are able) for each word of Spencer's speech, and select organizations from the list on the website which will receive your donation. His average speech is 3,500 words long. Donations will neutralize hate speech at different pledge levels and add up to support for local communities. As you follow the donations process, you can apportion funds in any proportion to the 12 southeast Michigan anti-racism groups.
Groups that will benefit
- American Indian Health and Family Services
- Detroit Black Community Food Security Network
- Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice
- Michigan Criminal Justice Program (AFSC)
- Michigan Council on Crime and Delinquency
- Michigan Immigrant Rights Center
- Neighborhood Engagement Hub
- Refugee Development Center
- Ruth Ellis Center
- SafeHouse Center
- Women's Center of Greater Lansing
- Washtenaw Interfaith Coalition for Immigrant Rights
Oh
Campaign swag may be purchased here. My wife designed the Seesaw T shirt, and both of us helped with early stages of the text on the website. We proofed, edited, and expanded concepts.
Update
03-02-2018 at 8:40 p.m. ET: Current total, about $4300. This amount represents about $1.50 per word in a 3,000-word speech.