Description
Book SynopsisWhat makes a social movement a movement? Where do the contagious energy, vision, and sense of infinite possibility come from? This book seeks to answer these questions through conversations and interviews with a generation of activists who came of political age in Los Angeles during the 1990s.
Trade Review"During the 1990s an amazing new generation of young activists, mostly women, immigrants, and people of color, transformed the Los Angeles labor movement, bringing a new vision of democracy to organizations not always ready for change. Now Karen Brodkin gives us their story in this wonderfully inspiring book, bursting with wisdom, dedication, imagination, and, best of all, models for how the labor movement can become a dynamic and embracing social movement seeking justice for all." -- Dana Frank * University of California, Santa Cruz *
"This engaging, accessible volume makes a significant contribution to the scholarly literatures on social movements, racial justice, the political activism of men and women of color, and the labor movement today." -- Sandra Morgen * Professor of Women's Studies, Penn State University *
"Persuasive. Insightful. As a contribution to our understanding of social movements, the book's strength is its emphasis on ideological factors and motivations.
* Community Development: Journal of the Community Development Society *
"During the 1990s an amazing new generation of young activists, mostly women, immigrants, and people of color, transformed the Los Angeles labor movement, bringing a new vision of democracy to organizations not always ready for change. Now Karen Brodkin gives us their story in this wonderfully inspiring book, bursting with wisdom, dedication, imagination, and, best of all, models for how the labor movement can become a dynamic and embracing social movement seeking justice for all." -- Dana Frank * University of California, Santa Cruz *
"This engaging, accessible volume makes a significant contribution to the scholarly literatures on social movements, racial justice, the political activism of men and women of color, and the labor movement today." -- Sandra Morgen * Professor of Women's Studies, Penn State University *
"Persuasive. Insightful. As a contribution to our understanding of social movements, the book's strength is its emphasis on ideological factors and motivations.
* Community Development: Journal of the Community Development Society *
Table of ContentsPreface
List of Organizations
About the Narrators
Introduction 1.
The Context of Labor and Immigrant Workers' Right Activism in Los Angeles 2.
Narrators and Narrative 3.
Political Identity Starts at Home: Border-Crossing Families and the Making of Political Selves 4.
Making Identities Political 5.
Democracy and Political Praxis
Conclusion Appendix A: Study Design and Use of Narrative
Appendix B: Organizer Survey
Notes References
Index
