What do the reports tell us about us? We're in trouble. The country is in trouble. If the report is correct, it means that we are incapable of taking care of ourselves, above all of taking care of ourselves properly. If the report is not correct, it means that our communication is bad, "someone is sabotaging me" as Vojko V would say. In any case, it is not good.
DPS pulls the boycott like an ace up its sleeve. The political party insists on boycotting the population census. Absolutely counterproductive decision. If we remember the effect of the idea of "white tickets" in the elections in Serbia, a parallel can be drawn. Because the "white slips" were cool, people photographed the white slips as a feat, and it was those white slips that changed the situation and the government. Unknowingly, smart guys have become useful idiots.
Boycott is an idea of defiance and rejection, but it often turns into frustration and evidence of impotence and misunderstanding of the current moment. Montenegro has been campaigning for years. Parliamentary elections, a new government, a truncated government, a reconstructed government, resignations, mushrooming ministers, ministers from NGO hats, local elections, presidential elections, parliamentary elections again and now the census. Montenegro is in a constant campaign, but of course such campaigns are accompanied by passions.
There were billboards that said you don't need billboards to tell you who you are. And that's the message, it's actually undermining the campaign itself with the aim of attracting attention. But the message is not clear, the idea is not read at first glance. It is the same with the photos of historical figures in the census campaign. It makes sense but it's too far, on a long stick. Historical figures are not declared on the list, but living people are motivated.
DPS did not choose the boycott solely because they do not like the conditions of the census and because they see holes in the organization. They chose to boycott because they no longer have a campaign mechanism. They are used to winning personalities or a function or some lucrative position in the future. DPS did not build Montenegro as an idea, but tried to finance that idea. Now they can no longer mobilize people who will participate in the campaign so that someone declares themselves the way that suits them. Therefore, it can be said without foiling that the "Montenegro" campaign was left on ice. Because the top of the DPS is minding its own business, and the young people are struggling and all they can do is call for a boycott. They threw so much.
Last week I analyzed TV campaigns and billboard actions. Bland and boring, counterproductive, they miss both the essence and the target group. While they focus on the ancestors, they can hardly reach the descendants, the present. That's why a facebook page called "We know who we are" has more effect. Whether someone agrees with their views or not, they do a better campaign than all the billboards or TV spots for which every second is paid handsomely. "We know who we are" comes out with a strategy of presenting young and successful people who present their position with a touch of defiance and freedom. They address those who need to make a statement and are likely to have an effect. Historians, scientists, poets and young influential people appear who clearly state their position on their Serbian identity.
Also, a video appeared that inspires Bosniaks. The video is accompanied by lyrics in the form of an ABAB rhyme, it is pathetically moving, but there are also strong scenes, such as when a woman rides a horse and carries a flag in her hand. Sider identity is interpreted as a trust. It's edited in the spirit of epic fantasy, but it makes sense. Punchline is of course when it appears Hajriz Brčvak, even he rhymes with smile!
Everyone should be congratulated for their involvement, because these are projects of gathered individuals who are interested in participating in the campaign. They want to make a statement, they want it to be public, they spend their time, money and credibility, which is to be respected. During that time, all DPS, SD and others offered was a "boycott", and they declared themselves the megaphone of Montenegro. They could at least create a boycott campaign, and not just shyly announce it, to teach people by word of mouth how to "be busy during the census". They boycott the present and expect results in the future. They no longer believe in themselves.
Bonus video:
