Bridging the Class Divide: And Other Lessons for Grassroots Organizing | 
 enlarge | Author: Linda Stout
Publisher: Beacon Press
Category: Book
List Price: $18.00
Buy Used: $1.90
You Save: $16.10 (89%)
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Avg. Customer Rating:  13 reviews
Sales Rank: 37511
Media: Paperback
Edition: 1
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 192
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.6
ISBN: 0807043095
Dewey Decimal Number: 361.10973
UPC: 046442043090
EAN: 9780807043097
ASIN: 0807043095
Publication Date: February 28, 1997
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Highlighting. Used sticker on back cover and spine.
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Product Description
A practical and inspirational guide to overcoming barriers of class and race
Again and again social change movements--on matter s from the environment to women's rights--have been run by middle-class leaders. But in order to make real progress toward economic and social change, poor people--those most affected by social problems--must be the ones to speak up and lead.
It can be done. Linda Stout herself grew up in poverty in rural North Carolina and went on to found one of this country's most successful and innovative grassroots organizations, the Piedmont Peace Project. Working for peace, jobs, health care, and basic social services in North Carolina's conservative Piedmont region, the project has attracted national attention for its success in drawing leadership from within a working-class community, actively encouraging diversity, and empowering people who have never had a voice in policy decisions to speak up for their own interests. The Piedmont Peace Project demonstrates that new ways of organizing can really work.
Bridging the Class Divide tells the inspiring story of Linda Stout's life as the daughter of a tenant farmer, as a self-taught activist, and as a leader in the progressive movement. It also gives practical lessons on how to build real working relationships between people of different income levels, races, and genders. This book will inspire and enrich anyone who works for change in our society.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 8 more reviews...
Invaluable! June 8, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Activists will find this book invaluable. Rev. William Sloan Coffin said it all: "Class may well prove a nut even tougher to crack than racism. With a wealth of wisdom, Linda Stout shows how to organize progressive movements that are genuinely inclusive. Grassroots organizers especially will be in her debt, which is where I have happily been for years."
 Raising necessary voices May 28, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
We've all heard the saying, "Life is a choir and every voice is important." But we all also know that very rarely is this humane principle put into practice. Linda Stout, in her book "Bridging the Class Divide", shows us over and over again where these voices reside and how they represent important views, important values, and important cultures. Through life experiences, Stout identifies and calls out important characteristics that, when raised up and valued, create a truly well-rounded, truly inclusive society. She shows us how fragile and faint these voices are at birth, and how easily and mindlessly dominant beliefs can annihilate them. Her account of how she herself became more aware of the values and perspectives that shaped her, and began to believe in them and communicate them, is moving and illuminating. Knowing how to nurture and strengthen such contributions, according to Stout, is key to bringing them to the tables we all sit at every day, whether they be work tables, community tables, religious, race, gender, or age tables. Such affirmations of inclusion have a powerful effect on the political and economic webs that impact all of us. However difficult, giving voice and action to all our perspectives, not just the ones that reflect "the way we have always done things," is necessary. Only when each of us insists on communicating our unique perspectives will every voice truly be important to the song the choir is singing.
Information from the Inspirational Experiences of a Magnificent Woman May 27, 2008
I have been working for social change thirty years now. I can wholeheartedly say that Linda Stout is one of the best organizers and resources there is on issues of overcoming class and racial divisions; so that we can be more effective in our work for justice, peace and a wide range of other progressive issues. I worked with Linda back in the 80's and she is still one of my most important mentors. Her book reflects her unique qualities which all come from life experience and wisdom born from life in the struggle and life in the spirit. It is both informative and inspiring -- a book that you don't want to put down and one that can make you a better person in your personal life and in your work for a better world. Herb Walters
Bridging the Class Divide: And Other Lessons for Grassroots Organizing May 9, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
If you care about helping to create a better world, this book will help. Class divisions are one of the most insidious, though least discussed, problems impacting our ability to effectively build movements for change. In an accessible style, with great stories, Linda Stout shares her years of organizing wisdom and makes it clear just what it takes to build effective cross-class alliances.
As the Executive Director of Class Action, www.classism.org, I have recommended Bridging the Class Divide many times. It is a useful resource for activists and non-activists alike.
Felice Yeksel
So useful! May 8, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I used this book as a text for an undergrad class on community organizing. it was easy to read and understand, and gave us so much to reflect on and talk about. it has so many practical tips on organizing, it should be a must read for anyone doing community work. i would love to read further reflections on PPP today, and what the leaders have learned about organizing and surviving as an organization since the book was written
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