Making Policy Making Change: How Communities Are Taking Law into Their Own Hands

by Makani N. Themba

Overview

Throughout the country, activists are making change and getting it in writing. Read how community groups have successfully developed and promoted more than 1,000 local policies that have:

• limited alcohol and tobacco billboards and liquor stores in low-income communities
• won higher wages and more rights for workers under public contract
• held corporations accountable for environmental damage
• brought youth into the policy-setting process

By using case studies that focus on community organizing campaigns that created local policy, Themba provides an invaluable guidebook for activists. Written for social activists, community organizers, and students of social and public policy, she offers cogent and clear insights into how these successes can be translated to other social justice organizing.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780787961794
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	11/15/1999
Series:	Kim Klein's Fundraising Series , #5
Pages:	177
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Makani N. Themba, a longtime community organizer, has worked extensively in the area of media and social change, including stints as Media Director for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference/Los Angeles and Director of the Center for Media & Policy Analysis of the Marin Institute. She has trained hundreds of community coalitions on effective media and policy advocacy. Themba currently directs the Applied Research Center's Grassroots Innovative Policy Program (GRIPP).

Table of Contents

Foreword vii

Acknowledgments ix

Introduction 1

1 Time to Share the Burden: Toward Institution-Focused Intervention 13

2 An Agenda of Substance: Grassroots Efforts to Reduce Alcohol and Tobacco Problems 25

3 Making More Pie: Local Initiatives that Increase Resources and Institutional Accountability 50

4 Plotting A Course: Lessons from the Front Lines 81

5 Talking Policy: Media and the Message 117

6 Looking Ahead: Reflections and Recommendations 143

Notes 161

Useful Books 169

Resources 170

Index 172

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"This book has big concepts, insightful analysis, tested strategies and tactics, and numerous practical hints that are immediately useful. Most important, it provides stories from those who have learned lessons that you simply cannot afford to ignore. Do yourself and your cause a favor, take advantage of the experience captured here and avoid the pitfalls." (Lawrence Wallack, Professor of Public Health, UC Berkeley; co-author, News For A Change)

"Full of practical "how-to" ideas for grassroots organizing to change public policy. An all-too-rare balance of realism and optimistic vision." (Elizabeth Martinez, author, DeColores Means All of Us: Latina Views for a Multi-Colored Century)

"A much-needed life jacket for those committed to progressive social change. In a straightforward, full-blast recitation from one who knows, Makani Themba weaves powerful stories of grassroots struggles to shape and construct policy. Her stories of ordinary folks reaching extraordinary heights is indeed inspiring, encouraging and, thankfully, to more than a few, perhaps threatening. This book is a requiem for apathy and inaction." (Clarence Lusane, Assistant Professor, School of International Service, American University; author, Race & the Global Era: African Americans at the Millennium)

Editorial Reviews

"This book has big concepts, insightful analysis, tested strategies and tactics, and numerous practical hints that are immediately useful. Most important, it provides stories from those who have learned lessons that you simply cannot afford to ignore. Do yourself and your cause a favor, take advantage of the experience captured here and avoid the pitfalls."--Lawrence Wallack, Professor of Public Health, UC Berkeley; co-author, News For A Change

"Full of practical "how-to" ideas for grassroots organizing to change public policy. An all-too-rare balance of realism and optimistic vision."--Elizabeth Martinez, author, DeColores Means All of Us: Latina Views for a Multi-Colored Century

"A much-needed life jacket for those committed to progressive social change. In a straightforward, full-blast recitation from one who knows, Makani Themba weaves powerful stories of grassroots struggles to shape and construct policy. Her stories of ordinary folks reaching extraordinary heights is indeed inspiring, encouraging and, thankfully, to more than a few, perhaps threatening. This book is a requiem for apathy and inaction."--Clarence Lusane, Assistant Professor, School of International Service, American University; author, Race & the Global Era: African Americans at the Millennium

From the Publisher