Saul Alinsky was one of the first community organizers who was born in Chicago in 1909. He started many community organizations that challenged the rich white power. He knew that in order to change something you do not like you have to act not just pray. From studying the criminal organization of Al Capone he understood that all crime derived from poverty, in turn he grouped together unions and the church. This documentary is about how he began the push for ordinary people to group together and change anything that is not fair.
Alinsky knew that people in poverty outnumbered those with money, so it was power vs money which is hard BUT possible. He figured through his studies that change is possible with organizing the community to help each other reach a common goal. At the same time he knew it would cause some ruckus but that is only the beginning of change as long as it is planned out properly. He commented on how he wanted the unions, churches and politics all go in hand in hand in the community to make a difference.
"Somebody who goes off in a monastery and starts praying for the salvation of mankind and doesn't do a damn thing but sits there and prays, I think that when that guy comes up for judgement that the judge is going to sit there and say why you cruddy bastard"
"I tell people to hell with charity, the only thing you will get is what you are strong enough to get"
These stand out the most because it points towards the fact that no matter what how much you speak about injustice, nothing will be done unless you go hands on with the work. We all know there is plenty of injustice in this world but are you willing to put up a fight to change it. I also love the fact that he says something about what he does will bring resistance but that is the first step to knowing you are making a difference. This documentary shows that macro practice is difficult but very possible and that through numbers anything can be done. At times you may not see the finished product as he did not but he took the first step towards making a HUGE difference and had a big ripple effect through time as we can see today.
Chris,
ReplyDeleteIt seems like you have a real solid understanding of Alinsky and what he was trying to accomplish. I agree that often people speak of social injustices, but few are willing to commit to the time and action necessary to make real change!