An Open Letter to Sarah Palin From a Community Organizer

Sarah Palin, I'd like to introduce you to a woman named Jo Ann Gibson Robinson, who passed away in 1992. Based upon your recent comments about community organizers, I'm certain you've never heard of her. Most people haven't, and most people don't know a whole lot about the principles and history of organizing. But unlike you, most people don't go out of their way to disparage a group who has done so much to make this country great.

I don't pretend to believe that you wrote the speech. I presume you were being a loyal soldier and reading whatever your speechwriters felt would rile up your base. But because you spoke the words, they are now yours to defend, and one line in particular is indefensible: "I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a 'community organizer,' except that you have actual responsibilities." Rhetorically, it was cute -- a zinger that drew laughs. But politics shouldn't just be about scoring points.

Keep your line about organizers in mind as I tell you about Robinson. Like you, she was an accomplished woman; unlike you, she was a community organizer and not a professional politician. In the 1950s, she was a teacher of English at Alabama State College in Montgomery and the President of the Women's Political Council (WPC), a local group dedicated to organizing for equal rights for African Americans.

Along with registering people to vote, a pressing concern of the WPC was the segregation of Montgomery's buses, which forced Blacks to sit in the back. In 1954, Robinson wrote a letter to Montgomery Mayor W. A. Gale, who in your determination had "actual" responsibilities. The letter threatened a boycott if the racist seating arrangement was not abolished. The mayor paid no attention. Unfortunately, this is a frequent occurrence: politicians often worry more about money and political survival than social justice. Luckily, that's where we organizers come in.

A year and a half of community organizing later -- with the WPC now 300 members strong -- Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat. Robinson and the WPC wasted no time, working through the night to produce thousands of copies of a boycott notice, which began: "Another Negro woman has been arrested and thrown in jail because she refused to get up out of her seat for a white person to sit down...We are, therefore, asking every Negro to stay off the buses Monday in protest of the arrest and trial."

Did you know it was a group of women organizers who called the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which heralded the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement and introduced Martin Luther King Jr. to the national stage? Did you know that every mass movement for social justice -- from establishing the 8-hour day to gaining female suffrage -- was made possible by the struggles of thousands of unknown people? They didn't do this for votes, or because their handlers told them it was expedient. They took great risks for no monetary gain -- often, in fact, risked losing their livelihood, if not their very lives -- because some people are called by a higher responsibility. It has to do with justice and ending oppression, not with vote getting and political maneuvering.

Although you are ignorant about organizing, in one way you have done the country a national service: you have made community organizing a newsworthy topic. You see, organizers like Robinson don't make the news, because they don't brag about their accomplishments. They work behind the scenes, listening to concerns instead of making speeches. They develop leaders who engage in campaigns that force politicians to respond. When we win -- and we win a lot -- the politicians who have changed their stance then get to boast about laws that they either initially fought or did nothing to support. That's fine with us. Let politicians do what they do best, and take responsibility for good news.

But please don't be fooled. Read some history from the bottom up. Learn a bit about the Jo Ann Gibson Robinson's of the United States before you insult them. As you embark on your new journey, you might find that they have a lot to teach about this country you claim to so dearly love.

Comments

[Veganne]

I was waiting for a reasoned response to Palin's ridiculous community organizer comment. Well done Mr. Thompson. I look forward to reading your posts in the future.

[philatsun]

A wonderful response to the ignorance of the GOP. Organizing has a rich history that more folks should know about. Mr. Thompson summed this up eloquently. Full disclosure: I'm a 15 year community organizer. I hope HuffPo can get Mr. Thompson's organizer viewpoint into its pages more often.

[JTF]

I am glad that the community organizers are getting some support and notice. They certainly deserve it? Your article does it very well. Do you think Ms Palin looks favorably on the results of the efforts of Joan Gibson Robinson and her WPC cohorts? I wonder.

[GeoffreyDinosaurs]

My sister sent me a link to this letter, which is incredible.

Great juxtaposition between the W. A. Gale - the mayor with "real responsibilties" - & Jo Ann Gibson Robinson. That really drove the point home, & connected the dots.

On a related note, I'm shocked that more Catholics have not been driven to defend community organizing, as Obama's community organizing was under the auspices, I believe, of the Archdiocese of Chicago, & organizing, in general, is a huge part of Catholic social gospel ...

[mcool25]

I'm so glad you wrote this letter - Palin's comments were clearly made in ignorance of the kinds of people who have made the most change in American politics: community organizers and activists. We need to hear more of this kind of perspective!!!

[Joe M]

Well done. This is a fine letter.

[vinee]

fantastic article, she's 1/20th the person most community organizers are, with about 1/20th the morals as well....hopefully people will start to actually EDUCATE themselves on what she and McCain really are all about. Amazing how the party that likes to proclaim itself 'moral' and 'religious' can be so blatant with their dishonesty and hatred...yet people still blindly follow...hopefully there's enough THINKERS in this country to actually make the right decision this time around.

[kjerkevold]

I like the respectful way you present your information about community organizing. There is so much vitriol and ridicule in our society, especially around politics, that it is nice to see something so thoughtful and even-keeled. And the content is inspiring. I got a little choked up reading it. I hope you continue to share your insights as other things happen as the campaign goes along.

[evelina]

Well written and very insightful. Would like to see more articles from this author.

[pentictonpal]

very insightful, that women is scary beyond belief. Would love to read more from you!

[phillip guttmann]

Nice letter. Another example of her blatant ignorance on so many subjects. She is not ready to lead at this level.

[srp242]

Great article!!

[se646]

well written and thought out letter-- palin's ignorance is amazing and scary--