Sociology 3901: Worksheet--"The Democratic Promise"

1. Who was Saul Alinsky and what was his academic background? How did he get into community organizing?

2. Briefly describe the following:

a. The Back of the Yards Neighborhood Council

b. The Woodlawn Organization

c. FIGHT

d. East Brooklyn Congregations

e. Dallas Area Interfaith

f. The Industrial Areas Foundation

Sociology 3901: Groups--"The Democratic Promise"

1. "I tell people the hell with charity. The only thing you'll get is what you're strong enough to get." Saul Alinsky
What do you think? Is Alinsky right? And if so, what are the implications for disadvantaged groups?

2. One tactic for changing social policy is the one we've seen in relation to the Gautreaux decision. Take it to the courts. In this movie, we see a different (and perhaps complementary) strategy--organize for power. What made East Brooklyn Congregations successful in their drive to get city government to support housing development in one of New York City's most devastated neighborhoods?

3. How does the Dallas Area Interfaith manage to get support from the Texas legislature for an innovative educational program?

4. Part of the Alinsky/IAAF approach is to critique every action. What are the advantages of such an approach?

5. Another common tactic of Alinsky's, that we see at work in his very first organizing campaign, was to bring religious organizations into his organizing campaigns. What are the advantages of such a strategy?