Silent Canvass
BLOC extends invitations to join a Silent Canvass
Black Leaders Organizing for Communities (BLOC) invites all candidates and elected officials to participate in its Silent Canvass Program. BLOC’s Silent Canvass is a 2-3 hour canvassing experience in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with a BLOC Professional Organizer. Participants will join them as they canvass and hear the concerns of the city’s black community. The participant will remain silent and allow their five senses to experience what we experience daily. Additionally, participants will not be introduced by their full name or candidate status. There are guidelines that must be followed and a signed agreement is required.
The participant will:
See the community, eviction notices and memorials.
Hear the people and neighborhood happening.
Touch the people by shaking their hand.
Smell the city's fresh air.
Taste Milwaukee water during a warm day.
This experience will provide participants with a small glimpse into the life of Milwaukee residents, the good and the bad, and increase their understanding of the issues of Milwaukee residents face.
Previous participants have taken away from the program: “The importance of listening. You don't have to have all the answers -- it's essential to listen and understand what people are dealing. ...How are they struggling? What are their ideas to make life better?” and “That the problems these voters face are not simply some big policy initiative to be debated at the statewide level - it is simple little things that have to do with being ignored.... things that directly affect their day-to-day lives. It's amazing what people will tell you when you treat them like humans.”