It's been four months since the November election -- enough time now to have some perspective on it. Initially I was as concerned about the response to the election by my fellow progressives, as I was to the election result itself. Would despair, defeat, and self-flagellation set in? I understood the sentiment -- I can do self-attacking with the best of them (smile) -- but to my great joy and pleasure, the response has been the opposite. The energy, the passion, the desire to work for real long term social change is quite, well, amazing. As I go around speaking, talking and meeting, the level of commitment to working harder, smarter and better is a sight to behold.
Many progressives have now realized -- if they hadn't before -- that this is a long-term battle, not about one election or one candidate. It's about us. We will win, but it is going to happen only if we commit with our passion and intellect to win over the long haul. With that in mind, my friends and colleagues are helping me create a media company that will continue and expand the work that was begun with the documentaries and advocacy pieces. Clearly we have some big battles and some great opportunities ahead of us in media. I think we, and you, can be an important part of both creating new films and videos, as well as allies in the battle to secure our opportunities. So I want to tell you about the general plans.
I am working with some of my colleagues from Outfoxed and Uncovered (Lisa Smithline, Jim Gilliam, and Devin Smith) to create a new media company that will continue to do films, but also much more -- we have only scratched the surface politically, creatively, and media-wise with the previous films. Rick Jacobs is helping guide us towards a company that will not be a one-shot, but will be set up to continue doing these films for years to come, to continue doing short videos for years to come, and will continue to organize around the films and work with the thousands of groups around the country that are using the films to create change. The films can throw a spotlight, create a frame, call attention -- but it is you and the hard-working people in groups and communities all over the country who will create the change.
We will create a radically new and expanded internet presence, and will continue our innovative distribution methods -- some old, some new, on the cutting edge. There will be a role for all of you with smarts, energy, and time to participate in researching, making, and distributing the films. And yes, there *is* a new film in production right now, but it must remain a secret for a while.
One thing not a secret though is my new blog:
http://www.robertgreenwald.org
I am deeply embarrassed to have my name on it, but Jim assures me this okay in blog world. But PLEASE, help us come up with a name for the new media company so I can return to my preferred role behind the scenes.
www.robertgreenwald.org /2005/02/name_for_new_company .php
Finally, as an individual (not in any official capacity), I have had the great pleasure of working with Gloria Totten and Progressive Majority. Progressive Majority is a smart, tough, and well-organized team working on a *long-term plan* for electing progressives. They are not addicted to the quick fix heroin of a presidential campaign, but see very clearly the need for electing progressives around the country -- from City Council, to State Senate, to the House of Representatives. Go to progressivemajority.org, see the work they do, and see the wonderful video my colleagues Chris Gordon (editor on Outfoxed and Uncovered) and Richard Perez (co-director of Unprecedented) have created.
www.robertgreenwald.org /shorts/shorts_progmaj_qhi.php
I hope to continue doing more of these advocacy videos in the next year. In fact, I volunteered along with Chris Gordon, again, and Kristy Tully, to film some nurses -- real people -- responding to "Governator" Arnold Schwarzenegger's outrageous idea that nurses are"special interests." The video, which you can view on my website, generated tremendous publicity about this issue.
www.robertgreenwald.org /shorts/shorts_specint_qhi.php
Lots going on. Lots to do. Please join me at RobertGreenwald.org as we start this exciting new chapter in progressive media. And if you come up with name we decide to use, you will receive an "Outfoxed" poster and DVD, and a big hug.
Best,
Robert Greenwald
http://www.robertgreenwald.org
P.S. We still have a few copies of Outfoxed available for $9.95. If
you have a school, library or teacher who should get one for free,
send their name and email address to info@outfoxed.org.
