K.A. Owens: Doing the work, together, across generations

The theme of KFTC’s annual meeting was “Generating Change: 35 Years of Action for Justice.” The Saturday morning plenary introduced folks to this theme with a panel on intergenerational organizing. K.A. Owens, a past KFTC chairperson, shared his perspective on intergenerational organizing as a long-time KFTC member, printed below.

When I was offered the opportunity to be on this panel I guessed I wasn’t chosen to represent the youth. When I came to the movement I was already a grown man, so I don’t know what it’s like to be young in the movement.

But I do know what it’s like to come along at a time where I had the opportunity and the privilege to work with legendary and powerful figures two generations older and teenagers and young adults as well. I don’t know what it’s like to be young in the movement, but I know what it’s like to work across the generations on a daily basis in planning meetings, press conferences, rallies, forums, demonstrations and sit-ins.

I know what it’s like to travel with activists for conferences and marches. I know what it’s like to visit sick activists of various ages in the hospital. I know what it’s like to work with activists of different generations to plan the funerals and memorials of other activists. I also know what it’s like to laugh and dance and sing with other activists as well.

I know that when we do this right we get stuff done and occasionally, we have fun doing it. You know, it’s great to get a piece of legislation passed, but anything a legislative body can do it can undo. But nothing can undo the relationships we build when we are working together.

I know that sometimes we don’t get it exactly right, because we don’t know how to talk to each other. I know that some of the older people think they are entitled to a certain kind of respect from young people simply because they have survived this long – and maybe they are. I know I’ve seen some mighty conflicts because older people feel they haven’t been spoken to in an appropriate manner. I know that young people don’t like guidance from people who don’t talk to them in what they feel is an appropriate manner.

I do know that when we are at our best we are able to access talent and wisdom from across all the generations. The issues we face require the generations to work together, no matter how raggedy the work may seem at times. We all have to be willing to lead and be led, to speak strongly and to listen intently.

There not only is room in the movement for everyone who wants to make a contribution, we need everyone to make their contribution. Essentially, there is no age limit and no age requirement. We need everyone on the team who believes in the cause and wants to take part.

We also have to remember that we have actual affected people in our group and that some of our members are under personal and financial stress while at the same time working to move society forward. Some of the people in this movement have no cushion between them and the cruelty of an unjust system. When people are under this constant pressure, it is going to affect their conversation and how they relate to people. And we have people in our group who are not under pressure in that way, and this will affect their conversation and how they relate to people.

I do know that one of the best parts of the movement is when we just relax and ignore the artificial barriers of age, race, class, sexual orientation, hairstyle, tattoo, and clothing style – and figure out how to do the work, together.

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