Blog Post #5 - Saul Alinsky: A Democratic Process and His Legacy

Alinsky as  Professional Agitator?

Saul Alinksy earned a criminology degree from the University of Chicago and yearned to find new ways to improve the country's democratic process as he realized that the oppressed were becoming increasingly secluded from the country's political process; and therefore, not having a true say in the policies,  procedures, and laws that were effecting them directly.  Alinsky's theories are derived from his involvement in his community as he went into the streets to learn what the community's needs were and to increase his knowledge about the conditions that lead to juvenile delinquency.  Further learning resulted from shadowing Al Capone on the streets to learn how gangs were established and run (Hercules, & Orenstein,1999). 

Who is Saul Alinsky and has he influenced Obama?
Watch Youtube video to find out. 

In addition to of all of Alinsky's success in organizing, Alinsky's documentary highlights the need for community and organizational groups to build intrapersonal relationships in order to gain a political voice, especially for the vulnerable population. Alinsky's hope of forming an alliance with the middle-class to further strengthen the democracy process for the poverty stricken citizens came to a tragic end when died of a heart attack in 1972 at the age of 63. The documentary also includes such details as Alinsky's work with the Farm Workers Movement and East Brooklyn Congregation (EBC).  These organizations were illustrated by their strong relationship building techniques with neighbors, groups, businesses, catholic churches, and school labor unions. These relationships gave individuals power in numbers. Furthermore, the documentary shows how Alinsky has an encouraging ability to get those who are directly affected involved in the democratic process. For example, when he organized the packing house alliance, he used the "back of the yards neighborhood council" to show him how to organize within that specific community (Hercules, & Orenstein,1999).      

Listen to NPR report on Saul Alinsky?

Alinsky's collaborative and obtrusive leadership skills portray his ability to develop his theory to acquire political back up.  He urges organizations to "tell them [politicians]your story and ask for support".   Such was illustrated in his documentary when one of the organizers blatantly asked their local politician for support and received it.  Another one of Alinsky's theories is that "social justice can be achieved through democracy" and by "organizing people to ensure power".  These theories are powerful and encourage individuals to stick together to create change. However, the most inspiring one to me is "remember where you came from - we came from the struggle".  This theory grounds my thinking and humanizes organizations.  Alinsky's theory suggest that we need to go back into the community and see what the needs are, just like he did when he hit the streets to learn about juvenile delinquency, gangs, and the needs of the farm workers.  This theory further implies that researching and understanding the community's needs is the only way that you can be successful in advocating for change; otherwise your advocating blindfolded (Hercules, & Orenstein,1999).       
      

I feel that Alinsky's documentary  was a powerful example of how community organization can make a difference in individuals lives. It also reminded me that the citizens of the United States have the right, under the Constitution in which this country's framework was build, to exercise their personal and constitutional  liberty.  It further taught me that macro social work is the foundantion of today's society. We need people who work in macro social work to keep the playing field level; otherwise, capitalism will continue to take over the management of the United States and interfere with our democratic rights.  This documentary also showed me how powerful organizations can be when working together to achieve a common goal. 

 Work Cited

Alinsky Rules 5 Retrieved fromhttp://alinskydefeater.wordpress.com/2010/04/26/the-alinsky-

            tactics-%E2%80%93-rule-by-rule-part-5-%E2%80%93-rule-5-ridicule/

Alinksy's Quote Photo.  Retrieved from  http://alinskydefeater.wordpress.com/2010/04/26/the-

            alinsky-tactics-%E2%80%93-rule-by-rule-part-5-%E2%80%93-rule-5-ridicule/

CNN (2012). Who was Saul Alinsky? (2012) Retrieved from

            http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyiRL_R1-KI.

Gaudette, T. (2011) Saul Alinsky Explains Community Organizing as an Outside Agitator

            http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQtwo8lp_E8.

Hercules, B. & Orenstein, B. (1999). Democratic promise: Saul Alinsky and his legacy. Media

            Process Educational Film and Chicago Video Program.

NPR (2012). Gingrich's other opponent: who is Saul Alinsky? Retrieved from

            http://www.npr.org/2012/01/30/146101408/why-does-saul-alinsky-inspire-such-

            passion.

President Obama's link to Saul Alinksy. (n.d) http://whwweb.com/wp-

            content/uploads/2011/05/obama-president.jpeg