Introduction

Abstract

Few people in America know much of anything about community organizing. In fact, when a recent national survey asked people to say what came to mind when they heard the term “community organizing,” few of the respondents understood what this meant.¹

I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a “community organizer,” except that you have actual responsibilities.

—Sarah Palin, Republican National Convention, 2008

I’ve had several reactions when I say I’m a community organizer. I had one person say to me, “Oh, you must have really clean closets.”

—Vivian Chang, We Make Change