To Activate, Just Open and Read

Five books on the power of the community

By Duncan Stewart -- Library Journal, 11/15/2006

These books offer readers a number of entries into the world of group activism and, as a body, suggest that community organizing has a rosy future. The authors cover history, philosophy, and—most of all—the practical, showing how to learn from a movement's past, turn plain enthusiasm into effective organizing, guide and balance your activism, effectively communicate progressive visions, and, lastly, help activism thrive in the Information Age.

Brown distills more than 30 years of experience as a community organizer into his book, which every aspiring and veteran activist should own. It can be read straight through as a primer on how to become an activist or effectively used as a reference tool for specific problems—the detailed table of contents, chapter overviews, examples, self-study exercises, and index make the clearly presented information easy to find. Brown defines community organizing, as well as how to build a community with homegrown leaders, run meetings, raise money, and get results. He tells activists to work with their membership (rather than dictate to them) as the way to build lasting relationships. He points out that top-down groups have little staying power and that the leaders themselves will burn out. Strongly recommended for public and academic libraries, especially those with social service and management collections.

Fine (founder, Innovation Network, Inc.), a New York social entrepreneur, writes on the way new social media—the Internet, cell phones, digital tools—allow activists to create new groupings of self-directed and self-responsible progressives. She believes that in this new connected era of the Internet, activist networks trump hierarchy, and she touches on how social media have already facilitated progressive actions. She points out the need for activists and progressive organizations to harness the new technologies while genuinely listening to those engaged in the new social media. She also ponders the future of activism in a connected age. This work contains some practical—and even inspiring—advice but is really a meditation on the interaction between technology and traditional activism. Most useful in academic and large public libraries.

Lakoff (cognitivie science & linguistics, Univ. of California, Berkeley; Don't Think of an Elephant: Know Your Values and Frame the Debate) argues that progressives do not know how to communicate with ordinary Americans, while conservatives use evocative language and stories that attract voters. Here he teaches progressives how to reconnect with their fellow citizens. He insists that progressives must enunciate what they believe, explain how their values underlie their politics, and thus re-engage Americans in a shared vision. In short, to regain power, progressives must reframe the political discourse and, by accepting the conservative terms of debate, respond by attacking "tax cuts" or the "war on terror" rather than by talking about the need for healthcare or ending the war in Iraq. Part of this reframing consists in substituting progressive politics of empathy and responsibility for the conservative worldview built on authority and control. A philosophical look at American political dialog, this book also shows activists how to discuss progressive issues in positive terms rather than using the negative vocabulary of conservatives. Recommended for academic and larger public libraries.

Rettig (founder, Infinite Art), a Boston-based career coach and trainer, focuses on activists themselves, seeking to provide them with self-understanding, management tools, and relationship skills to sustain for a career. Too many organizers, she feels, throw themselves into their work without any thought for themselves. They commit to ungodly hours, accept paltry salaries, ignore their personal lives, and frequently burn out. This guide is like a 12-step program for activists, asking them to examine their motivations, learn to work effectively, and maintain their identity and personal lives while at the same time carrying out good works. Rettig intends the readings and exercises to be done in sequence, but activists with particular problems could consult sections of the work as needed. A specialized book best suited for large public libraries and collections serving activist groups.

Seely, the youngest elected president of California's chapter of the National Organization for Women, combines her own story of third-wave feminism with an overview of the feminist movement and words to guide others. Third-wave feminists are aware of both the victories won by earlier feminists and the problems of class, race, sexual orientation, and internationalism that must still be overcome. This book weaves a deep respect for the foremothers with commonsense discussion of current obstacles and suggestions for direct action, resulting in a work that reminds us of what too many activists forget—every progressive movement has a long history, few organizing tricks are new, and problems must be understood before they can be solved. Seely includes booklists, time lines, web sites, and how-to tips that will help readers over the bridge from her insights to real world activism. For midsize to larger public libraries, academic libraries, and all feminist collections.