Alinsky Now: Why Alinsky? Why Now?

NEW: ALINSKY'S COMIC VISION:

A fascinating look at the intersection of Organizing for Power and Humor

By Dr. Eric Fretz, Regis University

Eric Fretz, Regis University

Why Alinsky, why now?

GETTING ALINSKY RIGHT

Feb. 16, 2018
Michael Gecan, Co-director of IAF in the Wall Street Journal:

Better Call Saul: The U.S. Needs Radicalism, Not Extremism Alinsky is one of the most misunderstood figures of the 20th century. Let’s set the record straight.

The Man and His Work

Saul Alinsky grew up dirt poor in a strictly observant Jewish family on Maxwell Street in Chicago, Illinois...

After graduating from the University of Chicago he married Helene, adopted two children and pursued further studies in sociology and criminology. His interests continued to broaden as he searched for constructive responses to the poverty, racism, social disintegration and hopelessness of urban slums, beginning with the "Back of the Yards" in Chicago in 1940. In the process he discovered organizational principles that he advanced through creation of a non profit - the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF).

Alinsky scorned the ideologies of his day on the left and right that prejudged causes and precluded innovative responses to some of the nation's most pressing social problems. His disposition, reflecting his Jewish roots, was always to side with the cut out, the shut out, the powerless, the impoverished - what he called the "have nots". He understood his core mission to be the revitalization of American democracy under threat at home and abroad.

Before his untimely death at the age of 63 in 1972, Saul Alinsky spawned what is arguably the most expansive social movement alive in the United States today. His organizational progeny affiliated with the IAF constitute the oldest and largest network of community organizations in the US and abroad. Their work is arguably the gold standard of broad based organization. (Visit West-Southwest IAF, Metro IAF, and IAF Northwest) In addition, the PICO, Gamaliel, and DART networks are making an impact along with a host of local organizations that trace their inspiration and methodology back to the principles of organization that Alinsky devised.

"Wherever democracy is revered and citizens seek power over decisions impacting their lives, his spirit and organizational genius is present. We need Alinsky now more than ever."
-Anonymous