Explanation of what a manifesto is.
What is a Manifesto?
A manifesto is a public declaration of intentions, motives, views, and ideals. It is a foundational document, often issued by a person, group, political party, government, or movement, that outlines their core beliefs and the principles that will guide their future actions.
Think of it as a mission statement on steroids. It’s not just a dry list of goals; it’s a persuasive and compelling argument designed to inspire, convince, and rally people to a cause.
Key Characteristics of a Manifesto:
- Declarative and Public: It is meant to be seen. Manifestos are published for an audience—whether it’s the general public, potential followers, or opponents.
- Persuasive and Passionate: A manifesto uses powerful, evocative language to stir emotion and convince the reader of the urgency and rightness of its cause. It’s often written with a tone of conviction and necessity.
- Clear and Focused: It presents a clear set of principles, criticisms, and proposals. There is no room for ambiguity about what the authors stand for and against.
- A Call to Action: At its heart, a manifesto is a catalyst for change. It seeks not just to inform, but to mobilize people to think, act, or organize in a new way.
- Structured on “We Believe”: The core of a manifesto is a series of statements that often begin with phrases like:
· “We hold that…”
· “We believe…”
· “We reject…”
· “We will fight for…”
Famous Examples of Manifestos:
· Political: The Communist Manifesto (1848) by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels is one of the most famous political manifestos in history, calling for working-class revolution.
· Technological: The Cluetrain Manifesto (1999) predicted the impact of the internet on markets and declared, “Markets are conversations.”
· Artistic: The Futurist Manifesto (1909) celebrated speed, technology, and violence while rejecting the past. Various art movements like Surrealism and Dada also issued manifestos.
· Corporate/Social: The UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) can be seen as a global manifesto for human dignity. Many tech startups and organizations also create manifestos to define their culture and mission.
The Manifesto in the Previous Article
In the context of the “Kenya Coffee School and Barista Mtaani” article, calling it a manifesto was a strategic choice. It transforms the text from a simple informative article into:
· A Battle Cry: It declares a new way of thinking about coffee education and frames it as a necessary struggle for economic rights.
· A Statement of Identity: It clearly defines what the movement stands for (“Our Brew, Our Future”) and what it rejects (the old narrative of coffee).
· A Mobilizing Tool: It ends with a direct call to action (“Join Our Movement”) to attract followers, partners, and supporters by appealing to their sense of justice and national pride.
In a Nutshell
A manifesto is a public, passionate, and purposeful declaration of core beliefs and a plan of action. It is the document that answers the questions: “Who are we, what do we believe, and what are we going to do about it?” It is the voice of a movement at its birth.