Theme:– “The Year of ‘Growmance’
Where Love Beats Fear in Upping Our Game This Year” (Old-School Flava)

Another official is sent packing! Mohammed Morsi, Egypt’s first elected President was removed by the military after one year in office. It seems the Egyptian people lost their patience. Some say it was a coup while others see it as course correction. In our social media age, a flashmob is easier but change is hard.

It’s easier to be a witness than an agent of change. In Egypt we watch as the country makes change a reality. First they got past the fear of dictatorship. Then they moved beyond the doubt that change was even possible. But making change stick means getting past the bad habits of status-quo military rule.

Consider the gun violence situation in Chicago. People feel like they’re under siege in some neighborhoods. While Egypt’s revolution coverage was easier, the events in Chicago may need change coverage. Let others see life is like a boomerang. What you put out comes back without a doubt.

Social change is not just rallies and speeches. It’s about shifting the mindset that’s blocking change. That’s how 12-step programs work. Gil Scott-Heron once said that “the revolution will not be televised.” Let’s just say change happens more by kicking bad habits than by having an addiction to revolution.

The Arab Spring saw demonstrations in Egypt’s Tahrir Square. The Chinese protests in ‘89 happened in Tiananmen Square. Maybe these say something about the power to change. At times change is more ‘square than round.’ It takes one or more shifts to see a change in direction or course correction.

The Year of ‘Growmance’
Where Love Beats Fear in Upping Our Game This Year” (New-School Flava)

Another official sent packing! Egyptians think he was slacking. Mohammed Morsi got the pink slip. People lost patience, no longer seen as hip. Some say this was a military coup. Others see it as a course correction from old to new. In this the social media age. Flashmob is easier but change hard to stage.

Ready to be an eye-witness. Than to demonstrate change fitness. We watch as Egypt comes around. To a new reality that seems sound. Getting past the fear of dictatorship. And even past doubt by assuming ownership. What’s it gonna take for change to stick? Subtracting bad habits, that’s gotta be the trick.

Consider gun violence in Chicago central. Not simply by those gone mental. Some areas already under such stress. Feels worse than a living mess. While Egypt receives revolution coverage. Chicago needs to apply change leverage. Let peeps see life’s like a boomerang. What you put out comes back bang-bang.

Social change, a lot it teaches. Not just rallies and long speeches. Shifting the mindset to unblock change. That’s how 12-step programs flex your range. “The revolution will not be televised,” that’s what Scott-Heron said. You change by kicking bad habits and not letting revolution go to your head.

Arab Spring demonstrations in Tahrir Square. On TV it felt like you were there. Tiananmen Square and other places too. Some spots where social change began anew. At times change more ‘square than round.’ By shifts in direction and course correction from the hog pound.

Tip: Upping your game by embracing change means kicking bad habits and avoiding an addiction to revolution.

Talkback: From Flashmobs to Occupy Wall Street, how has social media changed the revolution game?