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Hello! I’m Brady Kriss. I run an organization called Ragtag. We work with individuals in tech who want to use their skills for nonprofits, progressive organizations, and activist groups. I’ll talk a bit more about that later. But, congratulations on making it to day three of the conference!
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So, who went to the party last night? I was thrilled when I heard that the musician was playing because I have been a fan since around 2005, which makes me feel old!
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Back in 2005, that was before Twitter was even a thing. Speaking of Twitter, everything seems terrible lately. Who here uses Twitter?
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Who checks it every day, first thing in the morning? What a way to start the day! I don't know why I do it, but I do, and it's terrible because we are definitely living in a timeline that feels the worst.
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I did a quick Twitter search for 'worst timeline', and the results showed just that: it’s an infinite scroll of disasters. Politics are a total trash fire, technology feels like a garbage heap, and science? Don't even get me started! The world events are all just figurative fires.
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It's hard to see all this negativity so often, especially first thing in the morning. It's hard to have that chaos in the background of our lives. The idea of the 'worst timeline' sometimes feels like an overstatement, yet it rings true now more than ever.
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It’s easier for us to connect over negative events rather than the positive. The media thrives on this as we click and engage with the bad news more than the good. This focus on negativity can make it difficult to find joy and thus leads us to lament our current state.
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However, there's something significant happening on the internet. Social media has amplified voices that have previously been unheard, providing a platform for their stories. Movements such as Black Lives Matter, 'Me Too', and others have brought realities of injustice into our collective consciousness. These movements have thrived due to the power of personal stories shared online.
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Despite the difficulty in hearing these stories daily, it's crucial to remember that the injustices we read about are the life experiences of real people. These experiences could be happening to anyone we interact with daily, from colleagues to neighbors.
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It’s important to recognize that every individual faces their struggles, often influenced by external factors we all encounter. In our daily interactions, we should strive to give the benefit of the doubt. We should be kind to others who may not appear their best because we may not know what they are experiencing in their lives.
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While it's overwhelming to see these realities, especially online, it's crucial to bear witness. You are not obligated to watch every horrible video, but denying the truth of others' experiences simply because it's uncomfortable is not the solution.
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Being aware that the world is tough allows us to approach interactions with empathy. When someone shares their hardships, believe them, whether it involves discrimination or harassment. It’s essential to take these claims seriously, even when they involve people we know or admire.
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The first step towards making a difference is acknowledging the terribleness that exists. But recognizing this doesn't mean we accept it. It’s vital to develop a sense of hope, which involves continually striving to be better than just the acceptance of the status quo.
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While it may be easy to feel paralyzed by the crises we see, we must push ourselves to convert that anxiety into action. We can’t allow ourselves to get sucked into despair because ultimately, we have a responsibility to act, whether it's small or large.
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Making a difference doesn't always require grand gestures. Sometimes, it's just a myriad of small actions that collectively lead to change. Every action, even the tiniest ones, count! In this sense, consider voting as a personal drop in the bucket — it’s essential!
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For the love of everything good, please vote! Elections can hinge on a single vote, which is why we must participate. We should vote for our interests, for collective interests, and to contribute positively into the buckets of change we want to see.
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There are various ways to become a drop in that bucket – reach out to your representatives! Local, state, or federal – make your voice heard! When you notice something is amiss or commendable, let your reps know.
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Boycotting products can also have an impact, but remember, individual actions gain significance when they are part of a larger movement. Consider utilizing organizations like 'Sleeping Giants' that focus on boycotting harmful practices.
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Walkouts are powerful! If your company or school is acting unethically, gather your colleagues to make a statement against it. This collective effort can produce real change, reinforcing the notion that groups can effectuate more than individuals alone.
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Even small donations matter. Contributing whatever you can, even $5, goes a long way. Petitions, if well-targeted and well-thought-out, are also an effective means of advocating for change because they can leverage the voices of many.
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But be cautious. Ensure that the person you’re petitioning has the authority to take action and genuinely cares about the cause. A well-directed petition can have an impact, while scattershot efforts are less likely to yield change.
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We need to understand that major changes are not achieved by individual actions alone – it’s about the collective power of many drops! From small efforts to broader movements, each action contributes to change. Remember, tech is merely a tool that enhances our ability to organize and act.
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As an example, I once was an intellectual property attorney, helping individuals and organizations navigate legal frameworks so they could focus on their creative goals. In 2011, I shifted my career towards the political arena by joining the Obama 2012 tech team.
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This experience led me to founding Ragtag in 2016 after the election, which aims to empower volunteers in the tech sector to use their skills towards impactful social change.
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In Ragtag, we provide the infrastructure necessary for volunteers to apply their coding skills meaningfully. It’s inspiring to connect volunteers with organizations that are doing significant work in their communities.
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One of our early projects involved working with 'Spread the Vote', an organization dedicated to helping individuals obtain IDs to vote. The founder, Cat, quit her job to dedicate herself fully to this cause and quickly recognized that to scale her operation, she needed an effective system to keep track of clients and their progress.
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Ragtag stepped in to help by setting up a CRM system that catered to her organization's unique needs. This collaboration allowed her to expand her team and significantly improve her outreach and efficiency in getting IDs for others.
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A mix of volunteers played different roles in the project — from coding, to consulting, to writing. Every contribution mattered and was essential to realizing the project's success.
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It has been inspiring to see how these pieces come together. Ragtag has provided the necessary support for numerous projects since then, demonstrating the power of community collaboration in making a significant difference.
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Now, not everyone may want to code outside their regular jobs, but there are plenty of ways to effect change. Engaging at your workplace also provides avenues to contribute positively. Groups like 'Tech Workers Coalition' are actively making strides in the tech industry to promote justice for all.
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They educate and mobilize tech workers to show solidarity with those who might not have the same negotiating power, such as security or cafeteria workers. This is the kind of collaboration that can reshape the narrative in workplaces everywhere.
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You have the power to contribute, and every action, no matter how small, leads to collective change. Together, let’s stand against injustices while recognizing that everyone can make a significant impact.
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There’s often reluctance to act, thinking it might not be enough. But it's essential to let go of that fear because every contribution counts toward creating a better world.
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Thank you for coming along on this journey with me. I’m open to answering any questions if you have them, or feel free to take a moment for yourselves—maybe go hug someone you love.