WTTW - Alinsky, Saul

Thursday, September 02, 2010 - 72°F

Chicago Stories

Saul Alinsky

Saul Alinsky's mission was to empower everyday people. Beginning with the Back of the Yards Council in the stockyard neighborhoods of Chicago, Alinsky proved time and again that individuals, when organized collectively, are the driving force behind American democracy. His most famous brainchild, the Industrial Areas Foundation, continues to empower communities across America today.

A Chicago native and a University of Chicago graduate, Alinsky was the son of Russian-Jewish immigrants for whom the struggle for the American Dream was a daily reality. His work in criminology and his experiences dealing with the Illinois penitentiary system inspired a lifelong search for the heartbeat of social discontent. Saul Alinsky never forgot whom he was fighting for, and America has never forgotten his struggle to fulfill the democratic promise.

Twenty-seven years after his death, community organizing continues to impact American democracy. Today, community leaders have a powerful new weapon with wide-reaching capabilities: the World Wide Web. The Internet has emerged as an important organizing tool, offering everything from tips on organizing a local neighborhood watch program to suggestions for running a political campaign. Citizens can learn about their rights, keep track of how and by whom they are represented, and voice their opinions. Most importantly, the web transcends the physical barriers of distance and location to organize people through a shared network of interests and telephone cables. The Internet can enable anyone to participate in the democratic process with the click of a mouse. Hundreds of websites are dedicated to informing people about community organizing, providing valuable resources free of charge. The technology age has taken great steps to make community organizing a truly universal concept. Saul Alinsky said: "We are talking about revolution, not revelation." The Internet and activists like Alinsky have revolutionized the way we live today, and will revolutionize the way we live tomorrow.