Roots for Radicals
Subtitle: Organizing for Power, Action, and Justice
Publisher: Continuum International Publishing Group; Continuum
Published: July 2003
Language: eng
Format: Hardcover
Number of pages: 152
ISBN-13: 9780826414991
Subjects: Industrial / Commercial Art & Design; Political Science; Community organization; Politics / Current Events; United States; Politics/International Relations; Public Policy - City Planning & Urban Dev.; General; Community development; History & Theory - General; Communication in community dev; Community power
Description: The fight against globalization and the war in Iraq have led to a revival of grassroots activism. But there are many other causes for which communities organize: lack of sewage in poor neighborhoods, the need to support public schools, and affordable housing, to name just a few. Chambers is executive director of the Industrial Areas Foundation, which is dedicated to supporting community organizing. A "radical" for Chambers is "a person who searches for meaning and affirms community." Thus, this is not an easy-to-consult handbook, but a book encouraging reflection about public life and ideals; the gap between the world "as it is" and "as it should be"; self-interest vs. self-sacrifice and other polarities; and how to create actions that receive press attention.