...They should also look for the leadership at community based organizations.”
Where are we then? Stuck with each other? One way to keep the discussion going is to share success stories and identify the principles that make the relationship work. We can also try Dr. Phil and ask his advice on how to get out of abusive relations... but I have a feeling that it won’t do the trick.
In a time when hundreds of immigrants are detained without access to due process, while tens of thousands are losing their jobs because they don’t have social security numbers, and hundreds are being harassed and arrested just for having a job cleaning in an airport, we cannot afford to fail in building a stronger movement for immigrant and workers rights. We need to find a way, or many ways.
After all, we did get 1,000,000 post cards, a million of voices for legalization. That’s a real achievement, fruit of the passionate work of union organizers, community organizers, grassroots activists, volunteers and allies. And of that we can all be proud. But the October 9th political event - what was said, and what wasn’t said, the participation and especially the lack of participation - are a sharp reminder of the long road still ahead.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Labor Primer:
Laboring for Health: Unions Leadership Role in Health Policy
Taking Health Care to the States and the Streets
Best Practices for the Long Haul
Worker Centers: Another Resource
The Soul of Labor History is the Story of Democracy
Appendices:
Article: Unions are from Mars, Community Groups are from Venus: Does that Mean We are All Aliens?