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Communications
A recurring challenge for the struggle has been effective communication. Even this site, which is supposed to provide clarity for the struggle, has difficulties with "heavy language" and technical language that prevents ideas from going across effectively. One of the common complaints to the SCNC has been the "bookiness" and wordiness of the message. This could be that the movement sprang from the efforts of lawyers, who are notorious for being wordy, no disrespect to our lawyer colleagues, but reading lawyers causes a headache to us the unlearned. There is therefore a serious danger that the people who ought to be listening to the message could start suffering from message fatigue, because the message has just become too "combrous". There is a serious need for people to smooth out the message and make it portable and sticky and longlasting. Lawyerly and scholarly language is hampering the mass appeal of the Southern Cameroons movement. That is one aspect in which the SCNC could learn something from the SDF, especially the early SDF.
As is usually the case, somebody has been thinking about this same thing. The following are two books that might be helpful to those who want to take on the task of honing the message:
1) Made to Stick
This is an excellent book on how to do just this, communicate good ideas in efficient packages that stick in the minds of the audience
Urban Legend Style Success
This link is an online video given by one of the authors explaining some of his ideas.
2) Words That Work
This book is by Frank Luntz, the pollster who helps to craft words and messages for the US Republican Party. Culturally the words have to be different for us. One example of what Mr Luntz did was to come up with the term "climate change" instead of "global warming" because climate change brought less hostility and more open-mindedness to his clients than the more scary global warming.
Some interesting links on language in this context:
It helps to know something about American politics to appreciate this one and you need Real Player on your computer to listen to it. This is an interesting interview with Frank Luntz. It gives real insight into the wool that Ahidjo and his team used to pull over the eyes of Southern Cameroonians.
This is an example of sticky and effective communication by Malcolm X at the height of his game. This was his famous "House Negro and Field Negro" speech:
As is usually the case, somebody has been thinking about this same thing. The following are two books that might be helpful to those who want to take on the task of honing the message:
1) Made to Stick
This is an excellent book on how to do just this, communicate good ideas in efficient packages that stick in the minds of the audience
Urban Legend Style Success
This link is an online video given by one of the authors explaining some of his ideas.
2) Words That Work
This book is by Frank Luntz, the pollster who helps to craft words and messages for the US Republican Party. Culturally the words have to be different for us. One example of what Mr Luntz did was to come up with the term "climate change" instead of "global warming" because climate change brought less hostility and more open-mindedness to his clients than the more scary global warming.
Some interesting links on language in this context:
It helps to know something about American politics to appreciate this one and you need Real Player on your computer to listen to it. This is an interesting interview with Frank Luntz. It gives real insight into the wool that Ahidjo and his team used to pull over the eyes of Southern Cameroonians.
This is an example of sticky and effective communication by Malcolm X at the height of his game. This was his famous "House Negro and Field Negro" speech:
MaMary |
Latest page update: made by MaMary
, Jan 8 2008, 12:55 AM EST
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