Framing a Social Movement

Autism Speaks is an advocacy group dedicated to increasing awareness in society about Autism. Moreover, they fund research that investigates the cause, prevention, treatments, and possibly a cure for autism. Today, 1 out 150 children is diagnosed with autism (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) . At Autism Speaks, they want people to know that the prevalence of autism is not just a family issue it is a societal epidemic.

 Everyone should be concerned that autism is the most pervasive disorder affecting children today (Autism Speaks)and that health care for children with autism is a costing taxpayers a great deal of money. For example the average cost to educate and treat a child with autism is $60,000 – $100,000 per year. These costs are sometimes paid out of pocket by the parents. Yet, in many cases, the costs become a public school’s expense; as the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2001 requires all children, including those with special needs meet minimum academic standards. NCLB costs $24.5 billion per year.

 Autism Speaks framed their health care movement by explaining how autism indirectly affects all of us who pay taxes. Realizing the school budget crisis in America, leaders at Autism Speaks started to reach out to their state representatives, looking to develop legislation promoting health care coverage for autism.

 To date, eight states have reformed their health care laws, to insure children with autism (Autism Vote).

 More reading

Article 1

Article 2

Article 3

Camden Churches Organized for People

Camden Churches Organized for People (CCOP)

The CCOP, a community organization in New Jersey, wanted their Mayor to recognize the correlation between vacant housing and violence in the Camden area. After investing time into researching, interviews, data analysis, and meetings, the Mayor didn’t acknowledge the severity of their concerns. Possibly discouraged but not willing to give up, the CCOP continued to collect data. Eventually, they charted a map. The map was a visual aid that pinpointed where the vacant buildings stood was also where the city’s concentration of crimes took place. The map was the turning point for the CCOP’s movement. An image of the map was published in the local newspaper and got the attention of other public leaders in the community. After the map’s induction, the Mayor and others started to meet regularly to plan how to deal with the issue of the vacant buildings. Interestingly, the planning process exposed quirks in the existing processes for dealing with vacant housing. For example, the Public Works department had a record of not ‘boarding up’ the vacant homes effectively, thereby criminals were able to gain access into them. Additionally, demolition companies were exposed for their demolition pricing structure, as well as the refuge fees dumps charged.

What I found most interesting about CCOP was how strategic they were. They spent a lot of time ensuring the information they collected was accurate, and that the data was analyzed appropriately. Moreover, by conducting 800 ‘one on one’ interviews with people in the community, they were certain they were serving the interest of the community. Therefore, when they approached the Mayor, they were equipped with statistical data and personal stories. This approach, made their concerns seem more credible, and well thought out. It is not surprising that as a result, the Mayor was compelled to address the vacant housing issue brought to his attention.

Final note, as we continue to read about community organizing, I can’t help but notice how the movements stem from faith-based groups within the community. I get it, people gather at church pretty regularly, so if you’re trying to speak to a group of people, why not start with a group that gathers regularly, and likely has similar characteristics. On a “war-games” tactical level, this strategy to recruit makes sense. BUT is it really in the best interest of the “whole” community to start a movement with faith? Does it matter? Is this tactic used to infer that the movement is moral, unified, and/ or sincere?

The Original Radical Community Organizer

 

 

The Original Radical Community Organizer

 

 

 

Saul Alinsky is considered the founder of community organization in America (1909-1972). Alinsky’s style of community organizing can be described as controversial, even revolutionary. By definition, community organizing can be “the political practice of organizing communities to act in their own common self-interest”.  From Alinsky’s point of view, this meant organizing the community of people with nothing, (the have nots) and tactically take power from those with power (the haves) by any means possible.

 

His first notable act was organizing the Back of the Yards Neighborhood Council (BYNC) in 1939.  This neighborhood was named for its proximity to the Chicago stock yards, infamously portrayed in the book The Jungle. At the time, the BYNC worked for this neighborhood’s conservation and economic justice. It is said, for this particular movement, Alinsky was able to unite the Catholic church and  Labor organizers, a feat of its own.

 

In 1940, Alinsky formed the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF), which implemented training and guidance to community leaders. The IAF is still actively recruiting, training, and developing community leaders. Hillary Clinton was approached to join the IAF after writing  her senior thesis on Alinsky’s ideology. However, she opted for law school instead. In 2007, it was reported by Peter Slevin, in the Washington Post that “for reasons Clinton and her staff will not discuss, the White House asked Wellesley to seal its copy of her thesis during her husband’s presidency”.

 

At age 23, Barack Obama trained at the IAF and was greatly influenced by Alinsky’s methods. For four years, he implemented Alinsky’s tactics and organized several community movements in Chicago’s South Side. Some say that Obama’s use of the word “CHANGE” as the banner of his presidential campaign alluded to the type of change Alinsky was always working towards.

 

 ”Alinsky viewed revolution as a slow, patient process. The trick was to penetrate existing institutions such as churches, unions and political parties. Alinsky advised organizers and their disciples to quietly, subtly gain influence within the decision-making ranks of these institutions, and to introduce changes from that platform.” (Chicago Encyclopedia)

 

 

In 1971 Alinsky wrote the Rules for Radicals and identified tactics organizers should implement in their community campaigns.

 

 

Tactics for radicals

Power is not only what you have but what the enemy thinks you have (Alinsky 1972: 127

Never go outside the experience of your people (Alinsky 1972: 127).

Wherever possible go outside of the experience of the enemy (Alinsky 1972: 127).

Make the enemy live up to their own book of rules(Alinsky 1972: 128).

Ridicule is man’s most potent weapon (Alinsky 1972: 128).

A good tactic is one that your people enjoy (Alinsky 1972: 128).

A tactic that drags on too long becomes a drag (Alinsky 1972: 128).

Keep the pressure on (Alinsky 1972: 128).

The threat is usually more terrifying than the thing itself (Alinsky 1972: 129).

The major premise for tactics is the development of operations that will maintain a constant pressure upon the opposition(Alinsky 1972: 129).

If you push a negative hard and deep enough it will break through into its counterside (Alinsky 1972: 129).

The price of a successful attack is a constructive alternative (Alinsky 1972: 130).

Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it (Alinsky 1972: 130).

 

Alinsky, Saul D. (1946) Reveille for Radicals. (1969 edn.), New York: Random House. Written in Alinsky’s catchy style, this influential text includes chapters around purpose; means and ends; words; the education of an organizer; communication; beginnings; tactics; the way ahead.

Alinsky, Saul D. (1971) Rules for Radicals. A pragmatic primer for realistic radicals (1972 edn), New York: Vintage. 196 + xxvi pages. Focuses on the building of people’s organizations with chapters on programmes; leadership; community traditions; tactics; popular education; and psychological observations on mass organization.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/24/AR2007032401152.html

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=100057050

Alice Paul

After seeing the movie, Iron Jawed Angels, I realized how much of my understanding of historic events is skewed by Hollywood’s depiction. I don’t want to avoid theatrical versions of history, but I want to be careful not to invest too much faith in the screen adaptation. I spent the day reading about Alice Paul, WOW, what an accomplished woman.

I also learned that Alice Paul wrote the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) in  1923. Essentially, it stated that all United States citizens, regardless of sex, were equal under the law. I am very disappointed to say that this proposed Constitutional Addmendment has yet to be ratified. 

Section 1. Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.Section 2. The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.Section 3. This amendment shall take effect two years after the date of ratification.

What I found most admirable about her story, and the other women who comprised the National Women’s Party (NWP) is their unyielding courage. To have the foresight, conviction, and endurance to face their opponents. What an incredible statement, to use the words of the president, during a demonstration against his administration, on his front lawn, day and night, and doing so while the nation was at war. That was a very BOLD statement.  Today, if you get a group of 3 or more standing in front of the white house (let alone protesting) the secret service jumps the gate and hauls you away.  Okay, maybe I’m exaggerating, but my point is this, even after the NWP women knew they would be spat on, attacked, and/or arrested, they still stood their ground. I don’t know if I would have, or could have done the same.

Tim Dechristopher – a single protester out smarting big oil

I listen to NPR pretty regularly, and yesterday they spoke about one man making a stand against big oil. I was so impressed – first with myself for not changing the channel – thank you Professor for making me a more aware (subsequently more informed) citizen in just a couple of weeks. Secondly, I was impressed with how eloquently the protester explained his purpose. Thirdly, I was impressed with how much one person could do, with good conscience, to shake up the system. Here are some related links:

http://http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/12/21/tim-dechristopher-throws-_n_152661.html

http://http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tag/tim-dechristopher

Contemporary Social Movement

2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike also called the Writers’ Strike.

This strike was comprised by two write guilds, the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE) and the Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW). These two trade unions, represent 12,000 skilled writers in the United States, that work for the film, TV, and radio industries. Part of the movement was to reexamine residual pay for the home video market, in area writers felt they were grossly underpaid due to a previous contract negotiation that didn’t forecast the home video sales boom. And, they wanted to be paid for their work sold online (new media), through streaming video websites, and/or web series (tv online).

The Writers Strike was from November 5, 2007 – February 12, 2008 and was the second longest strike in their history. It was ratified with an agreement offering the writers what they wanted, a more balanced pay rate compared to the studio producers.

• For TV fans, the Writer’s Strike was nothing more than an annoying interruption of their favorite shows plot line.
• For the city of Los Angeles, the strike cost L.A.’s economy $1.5 billion.

In the future it is very likely a new strike regarding reality and animation genres will come about if current negotiations do not go well.

AFL-CIO

1881 -1935 American Federation of Labor (AFL)

This organization is a federation of several trade associations and unions, a hub of unions if you will. They branched off from the Knights of Labor (no longer existent) and organized to manage work conditions, pay issues, and job control for its members. At the beginning, they accepted any new member however as time passed, they focused on skilled workers and predominantly white membership. Interestingly, they were big supporters of the National Union of Women’s Suffrage. Today, their membership is unrestricted.

The AFL united with the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) to form the AFL-CIO. They have 56 unions in the federation, making it the largest labor organization in the United States. Its affiliations include but are not limited to:

• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
• Teamsters
• American Federation of Musicians
• United Mine Workers
• United Brewery Workers
• Screen Actors Guild

When I was eighteen, I worked at a grocery store and my job was an union position. Within my first couple months, there was a strike – something about health benefits. At the union meeting, I felt obligated to participate in the strike. I didn’t do it for me, nor because I felt pressured – I did it for the well being of those the benefits would eventually help. We were on strike for less than three days. Everyone at work grumbled about the disturbance for a few days after and then things were back to normal. What I took away mostly from that experience was the sense of solidarity – It felt incredible to be part of something, something good.

Hello world!

This blog is a class assignment and it is my first experience.

I recognize that the future of communication has new technological mediums, for the most part it is already here - texting, instant messaging, blogs, web cast, pod cast, video streaming, etc. I favor the old school methods, I still take pen to paper and write letters and send cards for birthdays. I write my crazy, humorous, silly, non important thoughts (privately) in a  journal that sits on my bed stand. Yet for many, many others, this personal introspective experience  is being replaced by blogs.  Our inner most thoughts, emotions, and reactions are being publicly displayed on the world wide web. Is it good, is it bad? Who am I to say, all I want people to remember is that social interaction is integral to our well being – don’t limit yourself to conversation over IM or texting – you’ll miss all the fun and nuances of body language and facial expressions. For example, how much more fun is it to laugh out loud, hysterically, with a friend who gets to the joke too. The both of you, uncontrollably laughing that you stat to say “omg I can’t breathe it’s so funny” – Next time you type LOL, think about what you’re missing.

UGH – Mondays

I am tired.  My body feels weak.  I blame the overcast weather for my gloomy disposition.  Typically, I am fairly upbeat but today, I just can’t turn my frown upside down.  Ugh!  Perhaps a case on the Mondays is what I have.   Although, it is more than likely the start of the semester blues. Knowing that every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evening I will sit in a classroom with the faint buzz of florescent lighting and stale air. Why do classrooms have to be so institutional?  Show me the scientific research that says grey is the optimal color for learning.  I never enjoyed school and yet, I have attended seven colleges since I graduated high school in 92.  During my admission process at Mason, I collected transcripts from all of the schools in hope of getting the most transferable credits possible.  Collectively I had 81 credits but Mason only accepted 40.  Three years later, I am months away from graduating and still dreading every credit hour required of me. It’s not just the claustrophobic classrooms, with no windows and one entry/exit that I dislike, it is the rhetoric educators spew, the ideology of what they’re teaching is preparing me for the “real world”.  If what they mean is to look outward, and open myself to new opportunities; to experience and dialogue with others of varying paradigms – well, they don’t get credit for that – my mother does.  Admittedly, the one “real world” experience the education system has taught me, is the penalty of not having a Bachelors degree.

I think the experiential learning component of this class is relevant and I am excited to be engaged.  I am not a fan of group work, but realize that for a social movement there must be a group, so for this project I will forgo my desire to work alone.