what would saul alinsky do?

[bountyhunter]

So I've been working with the Texas Campaign for the Environment for four months now, and I've fallen into the rhythm of working for a nonprofit and a political organization. In spite of how mundane it seems to me right now though, it pays to consider every now and then the fact that I am involved in what is looked on as a somewhat radical (and,

Comments

[djsetup]

I don't get mad at racism in grassroots, I get mad at hyperbole

[bountyhunter]

Fair enough. It's definitely true that in order to approach a situation like this and have the assertiveness to make claims that attract people's attention to spur them towards action, you do need to employ hyperbole and a certain degree of arrogant assumption. But when you consider the practicalities of the matter, you have 3 minutes to talk to someone at the door. There simply is not enough time to weigh statements down with qualifiers. Naturally, all reasonable rhetoric and thought will admit that environmental justice is a form of social justice. I concede this point freely. But when it comes to getting someone to make a commitment to actually effecting any kind of real change, you do need to boil the matter down to some absolutes. The work of community organizing requires a sense of polarity that although I personally may not employ in my off-hours philosophy, but which is the only true way to effectively and efficiently organize citizen support for these types of political initiatives.

[bountyhunter]

And either way, I don't engage people who disagree or have unkind things to say about me or the work I do/represent. They are free to have their personal opinions and I see no reason to impede on their time (or my own) in the pursuit of hashing out the vagaries of an issue which has certain core tenets that people either hold or do not hold.

[anonymous]

This content of this post seems to me to be absolutely ridiculous

[anonymous]

** I see that Tyler beat me to the punch on the last point

~ Arturo

[jeweltoned]

"It is fallacious to think that working income communities are denied entrance by some global white conspiracy. They are denied entrance because, in general, the members of these populations have less aptitude, as far as we can measure, to make efficient use of resources."

I dont want us to get into an internet war, no way; they're awful, nothing gets accomplished. But just so you know, Maria, I read this and shat a fucking brick.

[bountyhunter]

Arturo,

I believe I have inadvertently deleted one of your comments. I re-paste it here in its entirety:

"I don't want us to get into an internet war, no way; they're awful, nothing gets accomplished

[jessakitty33]

Please don't smoke Maria!

[bountyhunter]

i know. i'm trying to cut down at least :|

[jeweltoned]

seriously girl, i'm proud of you. what you're doing isn't easy, and that's part of how you know it's the right thing to do.

[bountyhunter]

thanks jeannie, i appreciate it ♥ i feel pretty happy with the decision i made. and it's about me. and that's what's up.