--Race, Class, Status, and Leadership
--Special Program On Thurman - Nov. 13, 2010
--Frankly Quoted
--Reader’s Comments
--Editor’s Note
Race, Class, Status, and Leadership
By Wade Hudson
By Wade Hudson
Nonviolent action to advance economic justice in the United States could grow into a movement that would stay together over time to help transform our global society into a truly compassionate community – if this project is based on a clear long-term vision, solid strategies, effective structures, and strong leadership. At first we may need to primarily focus on our own nation, but we can couch our concerns within the context of a commitment to the entire human family.
Granted, the odds are long. But civil-rights activists engaged in lunch counter sit-ins for more than 20 years before four Greensboro students in 1960 conducted a sit-in that soon grew, garnered national attention, and sparked the struggle to a higher level.
Economic injustice is more ambiguous than Southern segregation, but our economy is so terrible and affects so many people, with no relief in sight, the time may be ripe for nonviolent action. Every day the need for an effective, grassroots movement able and willing to engage in sit-ins, boycotts, strikes, and/or general strikes becomes more urgent.
The super-rich increasingly earn their income with nonproductive financial transactions, such as buying and selling currencies or gambling on future prices. Almost 30% of our nation’s income goes to the top 1%, as most people either barely break even or fall behind. From 1980 to 2005, more than 80% of the nation’s total increase in personal income went to the richest 1 percent. Average wages haven’t increased significantly for 40 years. Widespread unemployment is persistent. More and more homeowners are losing their homes.
These conditions did not happen by accident. Wealth (and power) becomes increasingly concentrated unless social forces, generally acting through the federal government, effectively counter that tendency. Instead, for decades, the government has consciously encouraged greater inequality. We must change those federal policies to grow a more productive economy that benefits everyone.
With support from individuals who do not risk arrest, a grassroots nonviolent action arm for the national economic-justice movement would likely need to focus on a clean, simple, popular demand. Once we’ve identified that demand, we could identify dramatic targets, like local Chambers of Commerce, that should prefer a healthy, productive economy with widely shared prosperity. Then, if necessary, we could engage in civil disobedience to press our concerns.
The success of Jon Stewart’s Rally to Restore Sanity suggests that while building this movement, we shouldn’t take ourselves too seriously and should keep a healthy sense of humor. Many concerned individuals are turned off by self-righteous, angry activists who preach too much and listen too little. By expanding our circles with a humble, kind attitude, we can grow a compassionate, joyful community that reflects the kind of society we seek.
For this project to be effective, it will be critical that the leadership includes strong representation from relatively powerless groups, such as persons of color, low-income communities, and individuals without a college degree. For me, such leadership is essential. My recommendation is that the project not be launched until such a leadership body with a diverse group of talented individuals is in place to guide the effort.
Representatives of relatively powerless groups should have proportionately greater representation in the leadership, but no one should be excluded or disrespected because of their background. Wealthy individuals, for example, who are dedicated to the mission should be fully welcome. Input should be judged on its merit, not its source.
One important tension is the gulf between individuals who have a college degree, which in the U.S. is only 40% of the adult population, and those who don’t. The common assumption is that people with a college degree are more intelligent and therefore deserve a greater voice. Their speaking and writing styles reinforce those assumptions. Individuals with degrees often adopt an air of superiority, which alienates others. And those without a degree often accept their alleged inferiority. These erroneous assumptions of inferiority and superiority based on educational level promote passivity, resentment, division, and conflict. In fact, there are many different kinds of intelligence.
Styles learned in school do not necessarily reflect the skills that are needed on the governing board of a community-based activist organization. The debating skills of a lawyer are largely irrelevant in those matters. Members of such governing boards need to know their communities. They need to be able to listen well and engage in discussions respectfully. They need to be reliable and consistent in their participation. They need to be sober and clear-headed. These skills do not require a college degree.
Democratic leadership is not defined by the ability to mobilize others. Leaders should not manipulate others to follow them out of blind loyalty. We need neither a single charismatic leader nor submission. We need collective leadership and democratic structures that empower all members, which increases prospects for sustained participation.
Democratic leadership involves the ability to facilitate collaborative problem solving. Democratic leaders identify questions that need to be addressed and guide the group in answering those questions. At any time, any member of the group might voice an opinion that others accept as helpful. That is leadership.
Establishing a partnership between board and staff based on a co-equal separation of powers enables individuals with limited free time to play a meaningful role. Recognized community leaders who already have major commitments can join such a board without being worried about getting bogged down in time-consuming administrative details. Having such leaders on the board enables them to bring their special wisdom to board decision-making and boosts the organization’s credibility in the eyes of the general public.
Neither the governing board nor the board chair should micromanage. Rather, they should focus on adopting written policies and priorities to guide the organization strategically, select the executive director (or co-directors), and evaluate the director’s performance, while delegating to the director the responsibility for achieving the board’s goals and instructing the director to maximize democratic management methods internally. The board should leave tactical decisions (like whether to accept a particular legislative compromise) to a team formed by the director.
Board and staff deliberations should be fully transparent on the Internet and members should have ways to voice input. Within two years or so, a mechanism should be established to enable the general membership to select board members responsibly. National conventions could enable representatives from local groups to help shape the organization.
Within the framework of the national organization, local groups would work together democratically to design creative actions that advance the national priority. These local groups could consciously foster a sense of community with activities like shared meals, volleyball games, nonviolence training, and support groups that nurture steady self-improvement.
Initially, to provide the project with stability and assure diversity, the national leadership body may need to be self-perpetuating, with two or more individuals forming the first governing body and then the whole group inviting others to join. When a strong, diverse board is formed, initial policies are adopted, and an executive director is selected, the project could be launched.
All these details may strike some as boring and overly bureaucratic. But sustaining an effective organization over time will require inclusive, strong leadership and clear, democratic structures. These preliminary thoughts are meant to highlight key questions and suggest possible answers. Future issues of Wade’s Weekly will present additional thoughts about how to proceed.
If we get our act together, we may be able to help unify and strengthen the national economic-justice movement. Then, after we deal with the economy, we could stay together to tackle other issues.
It’s worth a shot. Let’s do what we can to be successful and let the chips fall where they may.
Special Program On Thurman
On Saturday, Nov. 13th at the Museum of the African Diaspora in San Francisco from 2:00 - 4:00PM, there will be a special program facilitated by Dr. Liza Rankow celebrating the life and work of Dr. Howard Thurman, and the release of the Thurman audio collection. Please see the OneLife Events page or the Museum website for details.
Frankly Quoted
“You’re being religious when you believe in Jesus or Buddha or any other truly holy being, but... you’re being spiritual when you become the loving, compassionate, caring being they all inspire you to be.”
--Robert Thurman
(From Leonard Roy Frank’s monthly column. To subscribe, email <lfrank AT igc DOT org>.)
Reader’s Comments
Wade, Greetings from Maryhouse Catholic Worker in NYC. It's good to think of you and to recall your steady wisdom while in Baghdad during the Shock and Awe bombing. David Smith-Ferri, Jerica Arents and I landed here three days ago after a three-week visit in Afghanistan. Wade, I just don't manage to keep up with reading, study, writing and speaking plans. The inbox is sometimes so full that I can only randomly answer items. I think that, for the time being, I shouldn't subscribe to your weekly, but I'm glad you are working on it, and I'll be grateful to be kept on your mailing list.
--Kathy Kelly, Voices for Creative Nonviolence
CONGRATS & MAHAO 4 UR PRECIOUS BEGINNINGS.
--John Vasconcellos, Former Dean of the California State Legislature
Yes! These conversations must be had. As many of us engaging in as many of them as possible, all over the country, translating into action.
--Karen Dolan, Fellow, Institute for Policy Studies
Sign me up. After yesterday's election we especially need a progressive analysis. I just read an editorial in the Times of a book, A Winner Take All Society, by Robert Frank, which should be required reading by every citizen earning less than $100,000
--Daniel Fisher
Count me in! I'm looking forward to sharing your outlook on all things progressive in our sadly misshapen world.
--Juli Lynne Charlot
I loved "The Seat Not Taken" and "Making of Mahatma." Gotcha bookmarked! Love & Peace.
--Melyssa Jo Kelly
I'll stay on your list for now. Here's my two cents on how to raise about $10 to $20 trillion per year -- a 1% sales tax on Wall Street. It's also called a Tobin Tax. But Mr. Tobin set his at 0.05%, and only on forex. You can google to learn more.
--Mike Coppas
I am so thankful you sent this post [on Howard Thurman’s birthday] and the links - I have recently discovered Dr. Howard Thurman and I am profoundly interested in his teachings and their application to our current political conditions - I am feeling ever more pulled to investigate how we can involve the spiritual dimension of our beings and have it inform how we do the social justice work we are doing in the world - the PBS interviews about him are sending me out to the library to pick up Meditations of the Heart. Thank you!!
--Molly McKay
This [post on Howard Thurman’s birthday] is great, Wade. Thanks for the posting. I had the honor of shooting the video of Dorsey Blake's installation as the new Pastor. Mrs. Thurman was there and gave the blessing. The entire ceremony was deeply moving. A true historic moment.
--Ellison Horne
Editor’s Note
180 individuals, including many with well-known talents and strong connections, have subscribed to Wade’s Weekly.
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