Biting the Hand that Feeds Them: Organizing Women on Welfare at the Grass Roots

Description: Biting the Hand that Feeds Them by Jacqueline Pope Challenging traditional views of poverty, women on welfare began demanding structural changes in the institution of social welfare in this country, but lacking the support of others their efforts were unsuccessful. FORMAT Hardcover LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description This book examines the successful organizing and mobilization activities of urban poor women for social change and how they struggled to convince the larger society of the legitimacy of their cause. Challenging traditional views of poverty, women on welfare began demanding structural changes in the institution of social welfare in this country, but lacking the support of others their efforts were unsuccessful. To explore this issue an analysis is made of the Brooklyn Welfare Action Council (B-WAC), a grassroots cooperative established in 1967 and disbanded in 1973. Its purpose was to obtain social and economic benefits for its members through the promotion of changes within the system. The Brooklyn Council distinguished itself by being the sole welfare rights group controlled by and addressing the needs of the recipients. Demonstrations at welfare centers, disruptions at a major store as well as selling their blood are among the activities presented in sensitive, poignant, even humorous style. Taking large bites of the bureaucracy that fed them, for a time, recipients held hostage one of the most powerful agencies in the nation.The author employs an historical approach to chronicle the welfare recipients activities, analyze their strategies and examine B-WACs weaknesses and strengths. Social scientists, activists, and social and program planners will find this a particularly timely book written from the perspective of an urban planner who was herself personally involved in the 1960s welfare rights movement and in this unique grassroots organization. Author Biography Jacqueline Pope is assistant professor of political science at Stockton State College in Pomona, New Jersey, with a PhD in Urban Planning from Columbia University. Table of Contents The BackgroundThe Nature of Americas and New York Citys Welfare SystemActivists and Resources of a MovementOrganized Recipients Begin Challenging Social InstitutionsThe Brooklyn Welfare Action CouncilSummary, Findings and RecommendationsBibliographyIndex Review A well-organized and well-written, if narrow, description of the Brooklyn Welfare Action Council (B-WAC). Founded in 1967, B-WAC was the only organization managed by welfare clients as a result of grass-roots efforts. B-WAC members formed about one third of the better-known National Welfare Rights Organization. The amazing story of how women receiving public assistance challenged traditional views of poverty and demanded fundamental changes in the institution of social welfare seems a less astounding accomplishment than it actually was because of Popes sometimes overly restrained, methodical prose. The author examines what motivated the women to organize and what social policies and attitudes changed or did not change as a result. Pope also examines the questions of whether organization or mobilization is most effective as an avenue of positive change for low-income people; what strengths and weaknesses B-WAC had; and what the entire effort implies for other programs that encourage grass-roots leadership. . . . Popes book is a good beginning for the story. Public and undergraduate libraries. * Choice *Pope makes an important contribution throught her descriptive, thought-provoking case study approach. Without romanticizing the poor, she clearly illustrates how the protest model of community organizing was practiced by poor, urban minority women. Because community organizing is still developing, and is still unclear in theory, methods, and principles, her study significantly adds to our knowledge of what community organizing attempts to accomplish and some of its strengths and weaknesses. * Social Service Review *[S]hould be read by urban planners, social workers, activists, sociologists. * Social Service Review * Promotional Challenging traditional views of poverty, women on welfare began demanding structural changes in the institution of social welfare in this country, but lacking the support of others their efforts were unsuccessful. To explore this issue an analysis is made of the Brooklyn Welfare Action Council, a grassroots cooperative established in 1967 and disbanded in 1973. Long Description This book examines the successful organizing and mobilization activities of urban poor women for social change and how they struggled to convince the larger society of the legitimacy of their cause. Challenging traditional views of poverty, women on welfare began demanding structural changes in the institution of social welfare in this country, but lacking the support of others their efforts were unsuccessful. To explore this issue an analysis is made of the Brooklyn Welfare Action Council (B-WAC), a grassroots cooperative established in 1967 and disbanded in 1973. Its purpose was to obtain social and economic benefits for its members through the promotion of changes within the system. The Brooklyn Council distinguished itself by being the sole welfare rights group controlled by and addressing the needs of the recipients. Demonstrations at welfare centers, disruptions at a major store as well as selling their blood are among the activities presented in sensitive, poignant, even humorous style. Taking large bites of the bureaucracy that fed them, for a time, recipients held hostage one of the most powerful agencies in the nation. The author employs an historical approach to chronicle the welfare recipients activities, analyze their strategies and examine B-WACs weaknesses and strengths. Social scientists, activists, and social and program planners will find this a particularly timely book written from the perspective of an urban planner who was herself personally involved in the 1960s welfare rights movement and in this unique grassroots organization. Review Quote "...should be read by urban planners, social workers, activists, sociologists" Social Service Review Promotional "Headline" Challenging traditional views of poverty, women on welfare began demanding structural changes in the institution of social welfare in this country, but lacking the support of others their efforts were unsuccessful. To explore this issue an analysis is made of the Brooklyn Welfare Action Council, a grassroots cooperative established in 1967 and disbanded in 1973. Details ISBN0275929221 Author Jacqueline Pope Year 1989 ISBN-10 0275929221 ISBN-13 9780275929220 Format Hardcover Publication Date 1989-04-10 Subtitle Organizing Women on Welfare at the Grass Roots Level Country of Publication United States DEWEY 362.83097471 Place of Publication Westport Short Title BITING THE HAND THAT FEEDS THE Language English Media Book Illustrations black & white illustrations Pages 170 Imprint Praeger Publishers Inc DOI 10.1604/9780275929220 UK Release Date 1989-04-10 NZ Release Date 1989-04-10 US Release Date 1989-04-10 Audience Age 7-17 Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing Plc Audience Undergraduate AU Release Date 1989-04-09 We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! TheNile_Item_ID:16430479;

Price: 195.25 AUD

Location: Melbourne

End Time: 2024-12-01T03:08:26.000Z

Shipping Cost: 0 AUD