So if Ya Want a Revolution
If two things pervade the realm of ironic ubiquity and paradox in our world today, its “reality TV” and the word “revolution.” Reality TV has been around since Candid Camera, but has really skyrocketed in the last decade with hits like Survivor and American Idol. At first it was a novelty to see what was purportedly unscripted dramas with “real people” living out the script with their actual lives… until we found out that producers, editors, even WRITERS were behind the scenes all along. In fact, there is nothing less real to me than the reality TV show Jersey Shore – not even high fructose corn syrup is as processed as that lame excuse for “reality.”
Which brings me to the word “revolution.” If I am to understand this word correctly, it is “an overthrow or repudiation and the thorough replacement of an established government or system by the people.” Can we really have a “REVOLUTION” in pet food? Even Chicago beer is purportedly having a revolution…we’ve come a long way from the 60′s, man.
So please excuse me if I was a bit skeptical with the latest reality TV show, Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution, which just aired its final episode of the season last night. Its a show about a British chap moving to the “unhealthiest city in America” to introduce common sense cooking and healthy eating at various sectors of the city. Focusing on schools and families, he is avoiding turning his revolution into a bureaucratic paper-trail of boredom, choosing instead to inspire a people movement that he hopes leads to lasting change.
My initial skepticism was doubled when I saw his name and mug all over the show itself – Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution? What kind of people movement has one guy’s name splashed on their banner?
But as I watched last night’s episode, and reading this blog post, a few thoughts that had been germinating in my head about TRUE revolutions and how they happen began to emerge:
- It must be led by a passionate few – maybe one at the start. Jamie’s self-described “revolution” was a turn off to me and most of the folks in Huntington, WV where he filmed his show. He was seen as an “outsider elite” that no one took seriously. But every word that came out of Jamie’s mouth was dripping with passion for fresh, healthy foods. He was relentless in his passion – he didn’t shame the city, he inspired them with a vision that “We can do this.”  That combination will start a revolution every time. Read more about how a leader’s communication makes or breaks the change they seek.
- It must quickly be passed to other locals that are ambassadors to the larger community. Jamie worked hard, and finally won over Alice, an elementary school lunch lady who was stubbornly doubtful of the new fresh foods being introduced into the school’s lunches, by the end of the series she was teaching other lunch ladies how to cook with real food. He spent a whole day with a radio DJ who was defacing Jamie’s work on the air, and showed him the King-size coffins now being made to accommodate the obese in their city. He won over the trust of a major donor from a local hospital which spread his “revolution” to every school in the city. He found the lynch-pin citizens and instilled in them the passion so clearly evident in him.
- It must leave no corner of the territory unaffected. Imagine if the Revolutionary War had left 1/3 of the New World in the hands of the British – or imagine if Martin Luther King Jr. concluded that the “I Have a Dream” speech at the March on Washington was victory enough. Jamie put together a “boot camp” for parents, lunch ladies, teachers, and district administrators, and pleaded with each of them to see the larger systemic issues with not joining the revolution. “You giving your kids jelly beans for lunch is killing them early, and its putting them to sleep in class.” “Chocolate and strawberry milk is being advertised in school cafeterias, and yet it has more sugar than fizzy pop.” “It really gets easier making food for school kids that is good for them, and now I’d never go back to the old way of doing things.” Hearing these stories helps change hearts at every level.
What are you so passionate about that you talk about little else? Which ambassadors are you passing your passion and vision to who are in turn sharing their story with the locals? In what areas have you conceded defeat, or are simply unknown to you?
Its not the 60′s anymore, but the Beatles had it figured out: “So if ya want a revolution….welllll ya know….we all want to change the world…”
So maybe this is not the day of one major Revolutionary War, but maybe its the day for a million revolutions – will you be what starts one?
Just a little heads up – 
Daniel 6:05 pm on December 21, 2008 Permalink
I can’t believe I won’t get to watch this next season with yall every week!
Mark 6:40 pm on December 21, 2008 Permalink
man – you know it – but at least we’re both for sure gonna be sippin’ on some suga’ cookie sleigh ride tea. no doubt