Majora Carter and the Sustainable South Bronx Project

Too many liberal/progressive/lefties spend a disproportionate amount of time complaining about the way things are, but relatively little time actually building concrete and creative grassroots solutions. Lots of talk, not so much walk. So, I have begun collecting interesting models of social justice activism at the local level to serve as "idea incubators" for others. Periodically I will post about some of these models, with the hope that someone out there might find something useful in their own context. Today, I want to let folks know about Majora Carter and the Sustainable South Bronx Project she started... (Click here, too)

Majora Carter is an AMAZING WOMAN and I hope you will take some time and watch a relatively brief, but incredibly emotional and inspirational TED talk she gave not too long ago on her "Sustainable South Bronx" project. In it, she "details her fight for environmental justice in the South Bronx -- and shows how minority neighborhoods suffer most from flawed urban policy." She's working not just to hold back the polluters who target poor neighborhoods and neighborhoods of color like hers, but to bring back the green.

Carter is a visionary voice in city planning who views urban renewal through an environmental lens. The South Bronx native draws a direct connection between ecological, economic and social degradation. Hence her motto: "Green the ghetto!"

With her inspired ideas and fierce persistence, Carter managed to bring the South Bronx its first open-waterfront park in 60 years, Hunts Point Riverside Park. Then she scored $1.25 million in federal funds for a greenway along the South Bronx waterfront, bringing the neighborhood open space, pedestrian and bike paths, and space for mixed-use economic development.

Her success is no surprise to anyone who’s seen her speak; Carter's confidence, energy and intensely emotional delivery make her talks themselves a force of nature. (The release of her TEDTalk in 2006 prompted Guy Kawasaki to wonder on his blog whether she wasn't "every bit as good as [Apple CEO] Steve Jobs," a legendary presenter.)

Carter, who was awarded a 2005 MacArthur "genius" grant, now serves as executive director of Sustainable South Bronx, where she pushes both for eco-friendly practices (such as green and cool roofs) and, equally important, job training and green-related economic development for her vibrant neighborhood on the rise.

"We could not fail to be inspired by Majora Carter's efforts to bring green space for exercise to the South Bronx. We need more ideas like these to bring solutions to minority communities."
Time Magazine

This 18 minute presentation is WELL worth the time and effort.  Check it out. Seriously!



And, as always, if you know of any interesting, creative and effective grassroots work going on in your area, please post something in the comments...

The Anti-Gay Blacklist?

Along with Obama's inspiring, historic victory came some electoral disappointments, too. In Nebraska, voters decided to amend the state constitution to ban state affirmative action programs. And in three states, basic civil rights for gays and lesbians were curtailed. Most notably, California residents overturned a recent court decision which had legalized gay marriage.

Even so, one of the promising developments in the wake of these defeats has been a spate of nation-wide protests in support of full equality for the GLBTQ community. Even here in Omaha, an estimated 250 people came out w/ signs last Saturday and filled the pedestrian bridge that crosses Dodge Street, the main drag in the city. Not bad for Nebraska...

It now appears that a boycott of companies that supported the California ban is gaining some steam. One group - Anti-Gay Blacklist - has generated controversy by listing the names of both companies and individuals who donated $1,000 or more to support Proposition 8. It's the individuals that are controversial. Is it ethical to go after individuals, with the threat that they might lose their jobs, or not get hired, because of their political views? Or, is this a fair use of the right to boycott? Emma Ruby-Sachs doesn't think it is cool to go after individuals...

If individuals perform their jobs well, if they are good students or good human resource managers, then they should be allowed to continue in their positions. Until their actions in the workplace create harm -- dismissals based on political affiliation should not be encouraged.

This movement for equal rights is based on the fundamental belief in the equal protection of the law. That means equal protection for us, but it also means equal protection for the people who hate us. We can create an effective movement for full protection for LGBT people under the Constitution without working to unemploy individuals who, because of faith or bigotry, don't think we deserve to be treated equally. That is a movement of which we can all be proud.

What do you think? Is it cool to target individuals?

This Brave Nation

The venerable liberal magazine, The Nation, has teamed up with Brave New Films to create and distribute a new series of online video dialogues between activists and thinkers. The series, called "This Brave Nation," aims to bridge the gap between experienced activists who have been working on social justice issues for a long time and a new generation of progressive-minded folks who are seeking ways to act meaningfully in their communities. The creators of the series hope to provoke interesting discussion that is positive, proactive and forward-looking. The episodes are well worth some of your time...

Here is the preview clip This Brave Nation created to introduce the series:


Here are some reactions from folks who have taken a look online:

"Hearing directly from those who began the movements that changed history makes the idea of creating social change accessible to all of us."
- A S in Denver via email

"If I had seen these episodes in high-school I would have gone on to college actually believing I could make a difference."
- D L in Los Angeles via email

"I really think this new project could be subtitled This American Life meets Frontline thinkers and activists."
- The Group News Blog

"I think this series deserves maximum exposure."
- N. Lin in St. Paul

"I hope it makes it to college campuses too... lots of young adults feeling very disenchanted with the whole scene."
- Fran from Siren Chronicles

"I found fascinating their discussion about the role of culture in social change and why artists today seem less invovled than in the 60s"
- Future Majority

"As an aging progressive who majored in film, I salute you for your new series and thank you for the eloquent way you present the possibility for change"
- P.C. via email

Here is the first dialogue between Carl Pope and Van Jones on "Environment, New Media, Civil Rights & the Economy":

INTRO: In any other profession, Carl Pope might be considered a "company man." He has worked loyally and tirelessly in the name of the Sierra Club for thirty years, running the organization – the largest of its kind in the country – since 1992. Van Jones has founded several organizations within the last decade, including The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights and Green For All. They both live in the Bay Area. They both care intensely about saving the environment. The thing is, they use very distinct methods, although the lines differentiating those methods are blurring as we race further into the 21st century. From the environment to the economy, from old fashioned door-to-door fliers to streaming internet video, Pope and Jones discuss the myriad elements effecting our lives today and the many possible solutions that are nearly within reach.

What do you think?

"The Dream Reborn"

When I first launched this blog about a year ago, I wrote that in a time of despair and real darkness across the political, social and economic landscape, I wanted the blog to offer a critique of the way things are, but also highlight the constructive, the proactive, the hopeful, the new ideas and ways of being, that might actually begin to point the way to something fresh and alternative, a way out of this mess, a way forward, toward the way things might be...

In that vein, I want to let you all know about Green for All, a really positive new approach to political mobilization, community organizing and social change. Here is what they say for themselves in their vision statement:

We believe a shift to clean energy can improve the health and well-being of low-income people, who suffer disproportionately from cancer, asthma and other respiratory ailments in our dirty-energy economy.

Also, we believe it can create entrepreneurial, wealth-building opportunities for those who need new avenues of economic advance.

In other words: we believe that the national effort to curb global warming and oil dependence can simultaneously create good jobs, safer streets and healthier communities.

For us, our highest calling is to ensure that the clean-energy economy in the 21st century in fact does all of these things. Indeed, we would say that America’s chief moral obligation is to build a green economy that is strong enough to lift many people out of poverty.

Green for All recently held a conference, titled "The Dream Reborn." Here is a brief video about it that also gives a good intro to their ideas and approach. It is very inspiring and righteous...


In this video, conference attendees share their dreams...


Get involved. Spread the word...

(Thanks to my good bud, Justin, for originally turning me on to Green for All...)

Persepolis

This is a really great animated film based on the award-winning graphic novel by Marjane Satrapi. It is a coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of revolutionary Iran. It's kinda embarrassing that a rat that cooks beat this out for the Academy Award.

"We Must Name the System"

Paul Potter, former President of the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), originally delivered this renowned speech at the April 17, 1965 March on Washington. Potter offers an insightful critique of our government’s use of the rhetoric of freedom to justify war, and calls for citizens of the United States to create a massive social movement to build a “democratic and humane society in which Vietnams are unthinkable.” Needless to say, it remains relevant today...

This reenactment is a part of the very cool The Port Huron Project, which stages reenactments of protest speeches from the New Left movements of the 1960s and '70s. Each event takes place at the site of the original speech, and is delivered by a performer to an audience of invited guests and passers-by. Videos, audio recordings, and photographs of these performances are presented in various venues and distributed online and on DVD as open-source media.

Check it out (it is well worth it) and spread the word...

Fight the Power: A New Movement for Civil Rights?

In the following article, Jeff Chang (who is the author of a great history of hip-hop, Can't Stop, Won't Stop) asks, "Can hip-hop get past the thug life and back to its radical roots?"

In one of the more hopeful passages:

But now, with the industry on the ropes and the political sphere energized, the transformative power of hip-hop may finally be reemerging. Over the past decade, hip-hop-based community groups have recharged the social justice movement and launched get-out-the-vote campaigns in neighborhoods most candidates and parties wouldn't touch... Even moguls such as Jay-Z, Simmons, and Sean "P. Diddy" Combs have thrown their weight behind voter outreach. And while the results are hard to track case by case, one massive shift is undeniable: In 2004, half of the 4 million new voters under 30 were people of color—a demographic watershed largely overlooked by the media...

He concludes:

Can hip-hop grow into its potential? Can rap sell activism as well as it has $150 sneakers, bottle service, and grill work? Can the very people who've made vast fortunes off selling stupid help reform the industry? "The thing I love about hip-hop," says Chavis, "is that it is evolutionary. It replenishes itself. I get in trouble all the time for saying this, but hip-hop is doing what the civil rights movement was only dreaming about."

What do you think? Can hip hop find its way back to its roots? Can hip-hop be a force for social change, or is this all a lot of talk? What is the real potential here? Can hip hop untangle itself from the damage and distortion done by its relationship with corporations? Or, can it sell sneakers and activism, as Chang asks? Is hip hop doing what the civil rights movement only dreamed of, as Chavis claims?

And, this leads to a bigger question: How effective is culture as a vehicle for social change?

Here is the whole article:
Jeff Chang, "Fight the Power: A New Movement for Civil Rights" (published in Mother Jones)

World Change: Change Your Thinking

Justin Kemerling, a brilliant young graphic designer here in Lincoln, turned me on to World Change recently when I posted about the Urban Culture Project in Kansas City. It is a fascinating website with all kinds of positive ideas and resources aimed at creating a better world.

From the World Change Manifesto:



"WorldChanging.com works from a simple premise: that the tools, models and ideas for building a better future lie all around us. That plenty of people are working on tools for change, but the fields in which they work remain unconnected. That the motive, means and opportunity for profound positive change are already present. That another world is not just possible, it's here. We only need to put the pieces together."

"Informed by that premise, we do our best to bring you links to (and analysis of) those tools, models and ideas in a timely and concise manner. We don't do negative reviews – why waste your time with what doesn't work? We don't offer critiques or exposes, except to the extent that such information may be necessary for the general reader to apprehend the usefulness of a particular tool or resource. We don't generally offer links to resources which are about problems and not solutions, unless the resource is so insightful that its very existence is a step towards a solution. We pay special attention to tools, ideas and models that may have been overlooked in the mass media. We make a point of showing ways in which seemingly unconnected resources link together to form a toolkit for changing the world."

Check it out for yourself:

World Change website

We Shall Overcome

I like sixties ephemera of all kinds. This is a photo of an original button from the mid-sixties civil rights movement. Given the current sad state of affairs in the United States under Bush and around the world, I thought this one was particularly appropriate as I launch my blog. Despite all the darkness, corruption, greed, inequality and war, it is important to remember that change IS possible, a better way of being is available to us... "We Shall Overcome"... IF we learn the lessons of history: change will not come from institutions of power, they are followers, not leaders, when it comes to social justice. They must be compelled to act. Change will not come from saints or deliverers. If we wait to be delivered to the Promised Land by some saintly figure, we'll be waiting a long time. History is clear on this point, particularly in the 20th century. The most meaningful change throughout history has most often come when ordinary citizens get together, share their experiences and struggles, and decide to act together to force change. When enough citizens stand up courageously and speak truth to power, institutions and leaders respond. Social movements are the key to real change. Citizen action is crucial to achieving a more democratic order. Frederick Douglass famously wrote, "If there is no struggle there is no progress. Those who profess to favor freedom and yet depreciate agitation…want crops without plowing up the ground, they want rain without thunder and lightening. They want the ocean without the awful roar of its many waters…. Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will." So, those of us who want a different way of being need to roll up our sleeves and get to work...

Similarly, it is important for us to understand the system we live under, to name the enemy, so to speak, but we can't just bitch about how bad things are. It is equally important for us to offer a prophetic and visionary alternative to this dehumanizing system that values profit over people, division over unity, war over peace, destruction over creativity, control over freedom, tyranny over democracy. If we only critique the system, but offer no solutions, no vision of a better way, we run the risk of disillusioning people and turning them off to the possibility of change. The flip side of idealism is cynicism and cynicism is paralyzing. I hope this blog will name names, but also offer solutions. This is the challenge of our era...