Powerlessness often leads people to seek help from those in power, but true change only occurs when individuals with the problem become the drivers of change. This paradox can be resolved by understanding the difference between resources and power. Communities may lack power but not necessarily lack resources. By coming together and utilizing their available resources collectively, even seemingly powerless communities can generate power and drive significant change. The Montgomery Bus Boycott exemplifies this concept, where individuals leveraged their resource of collective action to shift the power dynamics in their favor. This example underscores the importance of resourcefulness in empowering communities to overcome powerlessness and enact meaningful change.
Whether trying to influence involvement in foreign wars, fight for social justice, or win an election, effective organizing is crucial. Here’s my 2012 conversation with MARSHALL GANZ, who dropped out of Harvard in 1964 to participate in Freedom Summer, worked for years as one of the lead organizers for United Farm Workers, and helped devise the grass-roots model for Obama’s 2008 campaign. Now a lecturer in public policy at Harvard, I can say without reservation, we need to learn from him. You can find more at marshallganz.com