Community Works

Building Livable Neighborhoods

David Gershon’s new book, “Social Change 2.0” (High Point, 2009, $27.95) may change your mind overnight about the possibilities for effecting immediate change in our city’s most challenged neighborhoods. In Chapter 3, Gershon describes his experience in inner-city Philadelphia, Pa., empowering community members to take control of their block’s challenges—health and safety, beautification and greening, resource sharing and neighborhood-building—and fixing them themselves, with the cooperation of the city. This model is perfect for Jackson: Identify interested facilitators, train them, call block meetings in private homes, set goals, get people to commit to next actions. This program is systemic, and easy—if you believe in possibility. Get started at http://www.empowermentinstitute.net.

From: Daniel Murphy, executive director of Community Works. (http://www.community-works.org/)
Subject: Social Change 2.0

Greetings,

Wow. Social Change 2.0 is a powerhouse. I've managed to read the first twenty pages or so, and have a pretty clear picture of the thesis, framework, and overall "argument" for Gershon's book. It's amazing, stunning in scope and practicality.

I'm struck right off by a couple of key things:

1. The power of the imaginative, visionary word: Gershon cites Jefferson's declaration of independence as a charter document for a remarkable "social innovation": the United States of Amerca! What do you think about a charter document for a more communitarian, responsible, caring community and world?

2. The five design principles: I'm struck by the excellence, the insights that these five principles embody. I believe that, in particular, the two--recharging and reshaping current social systems and inventing new ones that correspond better to the times and circumstances--make great sense. Revolutions that "throw the baby out with the bathwater" cause immense harm--intellectually, culturally. socially, spiritually. Improving what is while creating new approaches is very positive and attractive to me. I think it's a little bit like how the movement for positive youth development infused new life into old programs and created new ones that were more youth-focused and empowering.

3. Personal and collective responsibility: I really resonate with Gershon's values--to engage rather than criticize those who may be allies in this cause of a world that treats all life and life forms with respect, forges a new level of cooperation and harmony, and avoids the terrible traps of consumerism ("whatever I can afford to do I will do"), individualism ("I'm an entity unto myself, minding my own business"), and even social protest (a good thing for correcting ills, such as human slavery, but a problem in uniting people into a collective effort).

I just wanted to kick off a couple of thoughts. I imagine that you three have read or are reading Social Change 2.0. What strikes you? What does it mean for us in Ashland, Oregon?

I hope that we four can form the nucleus of a learning community that ponders, shares, and builds on the great insights of Social Change 2.0.

Blessings,

Dan

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