From Pre-Contemplation to Action: The On-Going Legacy of Change in Song
Stages of Change applies to Social Movements as well as Individual Change
One thing I love about this stages of change model is that it is applicable not just for orienting around personal change but also social and cultural change.
When a society moves from pre-contemplation to contemplation, there seems to be a process of building social awareness for something that some parts of a society see as a problem, even if the majority do not yet.
You could say that this is true within a person as well, a part of the person sees that there's a problem, and the rest of the person is not yet convinced, or is ignoring the problem, or is using a variety of mechanisms to avoid noticing the problem or the consequences of the problem. It can take a while for life, and some skillful conversations, before the strength of the problem (the cost of the status quo) becomes apparent and the person or the society moves into contemplation. We might say, the lightbulb comes on.
I say all this because the folk singer Peter Yarrow passed away this week. He was a member of the group Peter, Paul, and Mary, who were one of the first, and some would say the best, interpreters of the protest songs of Bob Dylan. The most famous Dylan song is this song called “Blowing in the Wind.” They were invited to play that song as part of Martin Luther King's March on Washington, where he gave the “I Have a Dream” speech.
This moment was part of the consciousness raising that helped spark a generation of Americans to move from Pre-contemplation, to Contemplation to Preparation, to Action. I understand we still have a ways to go before we get to Maintenance. I just wanted to acknowledge another passing of an era.
Here is a video of Peter Yarrow talking about that moment and it's significance in US history, and particularly the Civil Rights Movement.
In case you're not familiar with the song, here’s a clip from the new movie, “A Complete Unknown” staring Timothée Chalamet, Monica Barbaro, and Ed Norton.
I don’t know who put this last sheet together. It seem relevant to the times then and possibly the times now.
Wishing you the best
Sky
Hi Judy -
Great question! Yes, depending on what the Focus of the change is. If the Focus is on the right to vote, you could probably say that.
It's hard to stay in Maintenance unless the perceived rewards out-weigh the perceived costs of staying there (in Maintenance). Affirming everyone's right to vote might seem less attractive if it means one's own party is in danger of losing power.
Would love to hear other thoughts on this.
- Sky
Sky,
Thank you for sharing From Pre-Contemplation to Action: The On-Going Legacy of Change in Song. Your reflection offered a thoughtful and poignant tribute to Peter Yarrow, honoring his role in using music to raise awareness during the Civil Rights Movement.
The way you connected the stages of change to Yarrow’s contributions to societal transformation felt deeply insightful and gave me a moment to pause and reflect on the enduring impact of his work. It’s a beautiful reminder of how art and collective action can shift the course of history.
Thank you for sharing this meaningful memorial.
And thank you for the film clips. Timothée Chalamet is my newest favorite actor!
Carol