Movement of Movements

(Part Three: Disability and Civil Rights)

[SARN Memo for December 2, 2009]

It’s good to be part of something bigger. The self-advocacy movement is. We’re part of a movement of movements.

Think about the message of self-advocacy: “We are human beings. We have civil rights. We will work together to make change happen.” Where did we get that idea?

Self-advocacy is inspired by other movements: the labor movement; the civil rights movement; the women’s movement; the farm workers’ movement; the human rights movement. Our movement follows in their footsteps.

1. Movement of Movements
2. Group Activity: Talk with an Elder
3. Resource

• Respond to this memo!
• Read Responses

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1. Movement of Movements

America has a rich history of social change movements. Popular education organizer Larry Olds (from Minneapolis, MN) uses the image of a “movement of movements,” a term he attributes to journalist Naomi Klein. Throughout our history, many groups have banded together to fight oppression and to get equal rights. Here are just a few of the more recent movements:

• In the labor movement (beginning in the 1920s), workers joined together to fight for fair wage laws.
• In the civil rights movement (beginning in the 1940s), African Americans worked together for civil rights laws.
• In the women’s movement (beginning in the 1970s), women joined to fight for equal treatment laws.
• In the gay rights movement (beginning in the 1960s), people who are gay and lesbian fought for civil rights.
• In the farm labor movement (beginning the 1950s), migrant workers joined forces to gain decent wages and working conditions.
• In the American Indian movement (beginning in the 1970s), native people joined to demand their treaty rights.

These movements (and many more) are still pressing onward today. These groups have made huge gains. And there’s still more to do to build a fair society. It’s good to know self-advocacy is part of this movement of movements.

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2. Group Activity: Talk with an Elder

Find an elder in your community who has been (and still is) part of one of these social change movements. Ask that person to come speak with your group at one of your regular meetings. Ask him or her to talk about his or her experiences fighting for social change. Talk together about what your group is doing—or what it could do.

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3. Resource

Popular Ed News
This free monthly e-mail newsletter, put out by Minnesota organizer Larry Olds, contains popular education and community organizing resources for facilitators and group leaders. The website also has can’t-miss exercises (“Downloadable Resources”) you can use with your self-advocacy group.

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Reader Responses

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