Activists Speak Out : Reflections on the Pursuit of Change in America

In Activists Speak Out, a group of fifteen American activists speak candidly about how and why they struggle for change. Their causes and strategies vary - in the areas of civil rights, gay and lesbian rights, the environment, women's issues, health, youth, education, labor, freedom of expression and the arts. But the lessons learned resonate across geographic and ideological boundaries. Whether working as grass-roots organizers or corporate insiders, in cities or in rural areas, the through-line of their observations is constant: Change is slow, and may take shape in unexpected ways. Small victories count. And, whatever the initial motivation to become engaged in the struggle for change - anger, compassion, frustration - the very process of engagement is itself transformative. You cross that line, and nothing is ever the same.

In Activists Speak Out, a group of 15 American activists speak candidly about how and why they struggle for change. Their causes and strategies vary—in the areas of civil rights, gay and lesbian rights, the environment, women’s issues, health, youth, education, labor, freedom of expression, and the arts. But the lessons learned resonate across geographic and ideological boundaries. Whether working as grass-roots organizers or corporate insiders, in cities or in rural areas, the through-line of their observations is constant: Change is slow, and may take shape in unexpected ways. Small victories count. And, whatever the initial motivation to become engaged in the struggle for change—anger, compassion, frustration—the very process of engagement is itself transformative. You cross that line, and nothing is ever the same.

Front Matter....Pages i-viii You Cross That Line....Pages 1-13 Barbara Trent....Pages 15-34 Bernice Johnson Reagon....Pages 35-52 Norma Swenson....Pages 53-73 Joseph Marshall....Pages 75-86 Esther Kaplan....Pages 87-102 Gail Snowden....Pages 103-118 Lynne Sowder....Pages 119-129 Lily Yeh....Pages 131-146 Mel Chin....Pages 147-162 Carl Anthony....Pages 163-172 Mary Ellen Beaver....Pages 173-190 Joan Robinett....Pages 191-208 Amalia Mesa-Bains....Pages 209-228 Skipp Porteous....Pages 229-249 Cleve Jones....Pages 251-268 Getting in History’s Way....Pages 269-272 Back Matter....Pages 273-279 Fifteen American activists speak out about how and why they struggle for change. Their causes and strategies vary, but the lessons learned resonate across geographic and ideological boundaries Marie Cieri: I know you didn't start out as a documentary filmmaker but as a grassroots community activist.