Organize!: Building from the Local for Global Justice

by Aziz Choudry (Editor), Jill Hanley (Editor), Eric Shragge (Editor)

What are the ways forward for organizing for progressive social change in an era of unprecedented economic, social, and ecological crises? How do political activists build power and critical analysis in their daily work for change? Grounded in struggles in Canada, the United States, Aotearoa/New Zealand, as well as transnational activist networks, Organize! Building from the Local for Global Justice links local organizing with global struggles to make a better world. In over twenty chapters written by a diverse range of organizers, activists, academics, lawyers, artists, and researchers, this book weaves a rich and varied tapestry of dynamic strategies for struggle. From community-based labor organizing strategies among immigrant workers to mobilizing psychiatric survivors, from arts and activism for Palestine to organizing in support of Indigenous Peoples, the authors reflect critically on the tensions, problems, limits, and gains inherent in a diverse range of organizing contexts and practices. The book also places these processes in historical perspective, encouraging us to use history to shed light on contemporary injustices and how they can be overcome. Written in accessible language, Organize! will appeal to college and university students, activists, organizers and the wider public. Contributors Aziz Choudry, Jill Hanley, Eric Shragge, Devlin Kuyek, Kezia Speirs, Evelyn Calugay, Anne Petermann, Alex Law, Jared Will, Radha D’Souza, Edward Ou Jin Lee, Norman Nawrocki, Rafeef Ziadah, Maria Bargh, Dave Bleakney, Abdi Hagi Yusef, Mostafa Henaway, Emilie Breton, Sandra Jeppesen, Anna Kruzynski, Rachel Sarrasin, Dolores Chew, David Reville, Kathryn Church, Brian Aboud, Joey Calugay, Gada Mahrouse, Harsha Walia, Mary Foster, Martha Stiegman, Robert Fisher, Yuseph Katiya, and Christopher Reid.

Genres: Social Justice, Nonfiction, Activism

336 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[moved to kxphan on storygraph]

Highly recommend for organizers looking to connect with and build towards global movements. This text presents a series of essays that are connected across three themes: the limits of local work and activism, balancing between the struggle for short-term gains and longer-term social transformation, and expanding upon organizing practices, processes, and analyses using contemporary case studies. Consider picking up and reading several chapters if you find the following quote resonating with you: "Local work is the starting point, but it is not the ultimate goal."

I'd appreciate an updated edition for new movements and actions from the last decade, especially considering the increasing globalization of the surveillance industry. However, many of the lessons and advice offered are timeless and should still be applied to today's local organizing efforts.

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty dry. In my opinion, not for your every day reader.

[Adelaide]

June book club. It was interesting to read about successful organizing, mostly in Canada, and realize that Collective Roots is pretty far from doing organizing work. "Moving Beyond a Politics of Solidarity" was a particularly interesting look at the challenges of nonnative activists working with native communities.

[Adriel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many interesting chapters on organizing campaigns big and small, covering the social gamut. Not for everyone, but any organizer will find at least one story they enjoyed reading.

[Mills College Library]

303.4 O688 2012