[Sosfbay-discuss] Idea for growing the party.

[Wes Rolley]

Green Bill Holloway of Texas left the following as a post on Green 
Change back on Dec. 1, 2008.  I think it is worth reposting here.
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I’m gonna lay out some ideas I’ve been having.

David Cobb said long ago (and in Chicago during the ‘08 pres. nominating 
convention), and Noam Chomsky recently reinforced the idea on Democracy 
Now!, that change rarely comes from “above.” It comes from the street, 
from people’s movements. The abolitionist movement, women’s suffrage, 
labor rights, civil rights, women’s liberation, the environmental 
movement—these are some of the movements in this country that led to 
real reform. Some of these movements led to the formation of political 
parties that successfully drove the issues.

My opinion and concern is that the US Green Party — at least in the mind 
of the public (where it counts) — has not been born of such a movement. 
The public, at least, believes we were created by middle-class white, 
liberal activists: Ralph Nader’s people, individuals from socialist 
groups, and disgruntled Democrats. We have had a difficult time 
connecting to and recruiting working-class people and people of color, 
as we all know. I believe there is a nacent, building movement for 
social justice. I believe that they will have a political party, but it 
will, IMHO, not likely be us unless we are careful and very dedicated. 
Of course, we have to assess for ourselves whether this is what we want!

To become that party, I believe the Green Party needs to re-invent 
itself a little bit. I believe we need to become more than just a party 
and more than just activists. We need to become a community service 
organization as well, somewhat in the mold of Malik’s Common Ground 
Relief—taking groceries and prescriptions to the elderly at home, 
building/re-building houses and schools, providing relief and perhaps 
legal advocacy, whatever a community needs where a Green Party local is 
organized.

We need to serve those whose support we want. We have to serve them 
directly, IMHO, not just as elected officials but on the street and in 
the home.
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I did not know Bill, but knowing of this post, it shocked me to learn 
that he passed away this week.

Wes

-- 
"Anytime you have an opportunity to make things better and you don't, then you are wasting your time on this Earth" Roberto Clemente

Wes Rolley
17211 Quail Court, Morgan Hill, CA 95037
http://www.refpub.com/ -- Tel: 408.778.3024