Towards Land, Work & Power: Charting a path of resistance to US-led Imperialism

by Jaron Browne, Marissa Franco, Steve Williams

After years of building a fighting organization of welfare recipients, domestic workers, shoe shiners, child care workers, security guards, unemployed workers and other no- and low-wage workers, the organizers and leaders of People Organized to Win Employment Rights (POWER) realized that we couldn’t answer some basic What is the nature of the world’s political economy? How are our campaigns for racial, economic and gender justice impacted by neo-liberalism and imperialism? What will it take to build a movement in such despondent and challenging times? In 2004, the members of POWER’s Committee for Working Class Leadership and Strategy decided to answer these questions. We wanted to make sure that we had the skills necessary to develop strategy for our own organization and to help to develop strategy for the movement. This book is the result. Towards Land, Work & Power is a book by conscious organizers for conscious organizers. Rooted in our experiences building a membership organization in San Francisco’s working class communities, Towards Land, Work & Powerrepresents four organizers’ attempt to assess the racist, sexist, homophobic and inherently exploitative system of imperialism. Ending with an alternative vision for San Francisco and the world, the book attempts to equip us with what we will need to move towards land, work and power for all.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Social Justice, Activism, Politics, Race

164 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[t.s. cronenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best introductory, accessible text to convert justice-minded liberals into radicals I've come across so far and I wish everyone and their friends would read it/recommend it. It covers the long thread of capitalism and US imperialism from the 19th century to today and threads together dominant strings of oppression to clearly illustrate how it all comes from the same place. That racism and sexism and LGBT oppression are important and individually odious class issues in service of empire that need to be challenged as such, and not isolated phenomena that liberal concessions can salve or can be ignored as issues marginally related to working class struggle. Too many people are aware of and outraged by social injustice without a solid intellectual foundation for how it's all interlaced, domestically and internationally, which makes it harder to adequately challenge without being folded into hegemony by placating reform. This book illustrates how Marxist theory remains evergreen in exposing and making sense of the world we live in today, and gives a blueprint on how to tackle social issues as working class issues and anti-imperial ones to get to the root of the problem and weaken/destabilize the current neoliberal system to widen the window of opportunity for revolution. Lucid and forthright without being alienating, I can not recommend it enuff as a launching point or refresher, and I wish more people were aware of it.

[carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing incredible never been done before etc etc. Anti-imperialism and solidarity foreverrrr

[Jack Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a fantastic read written by the community organizers of POWER (People Organizing to Win Employment Rights). It covers San Francisco's context within global capitalism and the expansion of US imperialism and how San Francisco is an "outpost" of US imperialism and globalized capital. Within this context the authors describe how these national and international conditions have interacted with the local politics and economy of the Bay Area elite and how its effected poor and working class communities of color in the battle against displacement, gentrification, and fighting for decent wages in the service sector industry.

[Marty · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first two sections of this book are a good summary of social tensions and working class struggle in the Bay Area. These sections are really a wonderful introduction to this history.

The later half of the book is not worth the paper its printed on. It advocates movement towards some vague, very maoist and ill-concieved worker's party.

So anyway read the first two or maybe three sections of the book especially if you're unfamiliar to the history of San Francisco Bay-Area and its struggles.

[Ali · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's been a while since I read the book. Although I'm not a fan of it, I still recommend it to Bay Area folks with radical politics just simply because it's a good conversation starter. The book gave me insight on some aspects of SF's political landscape. I should read it again however.

[chelsea · Rating 3 out of 5]

The best part was the (brief) section about the history of city planning/ gentrification in SF. I guess I just expected it to be more about that stuff and less about a vague analysis of the global economic system, which I read plenty of in school and am slightly annoyed by. Maybe it's just me.

[Mariana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is important because it shows the analysis of imperialism in one particular city, i.e. San Francisco. It may not be enough to be against prisons. I will think about being anti-imperialist.

[Louisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great document of the macro and micro work of Organizing. It has a real motiviating narrative to view the world as it is, so you can work towards the world as we would like it to be through grassroots community organizing!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title almost says it all, except that also, this book is written by the organization POWER in San Francisco, so they really know what they're talkin about.

[cory · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most readable explanation of the dynamics of imperialism that I've ever read -- incredibly applicable to our experience in this "global city."

[Bran · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned so much about Imperialism and the U.S. Highly reccommend.

[Nat Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

let's throw around the word worker and not actually define what a worker is.
let's spit up maoist doctrine, and then say we're not the vanguard but then say we are the only ones who are right.

[Owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

useful to give as a gift

[cadelba · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read. this. book.

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its smart. Accurate. Sophisticated. Accessible.