The nation's maverick urban organizer issues a compelling moral exhortation on behalf of modern-day "Josephs" who alone are solving the problems the poverty establishment can't cure. Always accessible and colorful, this powerful appeal for the health of America's inner cities can resurrect the passion to fight poverty--but only through the vision and deeds of street-level heroes.
Read an excellent article today about the author and the Woodson Center which he founded in 1981 and some of his accomplishments in the area of urban renewal. It is a shame he is not better known, but considering how American media just wants to inflame rather than help solve problems, it is not at all surprising.
A cogent, well researched, and hard-hitting examination of the government's War on Poverty and modern civil rights organizations, and the successful efforts of grassroots community leaders to transform the people deemed by the first two as 'hopeless cases' into mature, responsible citizens serving their community.
This African American writer shares his views on how many of our government and political programs are helping or hurting our African American population. Very interesting insight on how grass roots healers often have the most positive effect when brokenness needs fixing. Thought provoking read.
This book was written nearly twenty years ago, but it reads as if it was written yesterday. The solutions Bob presents to the most intractable social, economic, and spiritual problems plaguing our neighborhoods are MORE relevant today than ever before. Bob's understanding of why our city's impoverished neighborhoods haven't benefited from the billions of government dollars spent on housing and welfare is insightful. His solutions, ones he's personally witnessed and helped organize over his long career, have had singular repercussions in lives transformed, not just rehabilitated. This is a book that everyone should read, especially those who are caught up in today's victim culture. People may be victims of their circumstances, but Bob shows us individuals who have refused to stay victims. They have taken responsibility for their lives, and are now able to grow and become productive adults.
The most striking truth that I take away from this book is that the government is NOT the answer, charity is not the answer, handouts are not the answer to the deepest human needs found in nearly every neighborhood. What is the answer? It may surprise you: that's why you should read this book. But suffice it to say this--there are people right now working in unheralded grassroots organizations who are doing more good in their communities than all the social workers combined. Thank you for showing us the way, Bob!
PROPOSALS FOR REFORMING NEIGHBORHOODS, AND COMMUNITIES
Robert Leon Woodson (b. 1937) is a civil rights activist, author, community leader, and founder and president of the National Center for Neighborhood Enterprise (now the ‘Woodson Center’).
He wrote in the first chapter of this 1998 book, “members of my own family continue to reside in a high-crime, drug-infested neighborhood of Philadelphia… more than nine thousand black-on-black homicides are committed throughout the nation each year in a virtual reign of terror that has plagued the black community for more than a decade… These victims were killed at the hands of their own people. A virtual dance of death has become almost a part of the culture of inner-city communities. We have come to accept violence and our hearts have become calloused to its impact…” (Pg. 2)
He continues, “Granted, racism is still a problem in the United States today, and a number of thinkers and sociologists …. have proposed workable strategies to address this issue. However, to continue to focus on racism as the principal enemy of the black community is to travel down a lethal path of self-deception. Our communities are dying of self-inflicted wounds. And the moral free-fall that is taking this tragic toll penetrates beyond all boundaries of race, ethnicity, and income level. The societal dissolution that is devastating our nation’s low-income minority neighborhoods has begun to gnaw away at white, upper-income society. Black communities cannot place their hope for survival in demands for an end to racism and economic disparity. If race and poverty were the root causes of societal disintegration, then why do we find the same widespread destruction occurring among the affluent? Carroll O’Connor, Gloria Vanderbilt, and other affluent celebrities have all felt the pain of losing a child to substance abuse or suicide.” (Pg. 3)
He observes, “Today, in communities throughout the nation, hundreds of ‘modern-day Josephs’ are at work, restoring spiritual health in their neighborhoods, guiding others to lives of value and fulfillment. Although Joseph was betrayed and treated unjustly, he always held firmly to the belief that God would work through any situation… Likewise, our modern-day ‘Josephs’ have faced adversity and injustice without bitterness or resentment… they are evidence that victims are not created by victimizers, but they become victims because of their own attitudes… Many of these community healers have come out of our prisons. They have experienced what it is like to live in drug-infested, crime-ridden neighborhoods. Many have themselves fallen but have been able to recover through their faith in God. Their authority is attested to, not by their position and prestige in society, but by the thousands of lives they have been able to reach and change.” (Pg. 8)
He asserts, “the poverty programs were advertised as the means of fulfilling the civil rights promise… However, like the misdirected civil rights agenda, the programs and policies of the poverty industry are embraced … without regard to their success or failure in achieving their purpose. Powerful economic interests which derive their legitimacy from the civil rights establishment have now calcified around old racial wounds.” (Pg. 26) Later, he adds, “the poverty industry… is geared toward self-perpetuation and the continued custodianship of its clients rather than toward their self-sufficiency and independence… This cabal has… effectively blocked any efforts for reform of the system and has kept the dialogue focused on issues of racial disparities and animosities.” (Pg. 33)
He states, “Clearly racially representative leadership alone does not ensure that conditions of low-income blacks will improve… those who have tried to achieve economic self-sufficiency through small businesses have often found themselves hamstrung by regulations and restrictions which were instituted decades ago with racist intent but are now being enforced by black elected officials.” (Pg. 41)
He argues, “Afrocentrism has become a major source of denial of responsibility. There is no call to responsibility as long as role models are limited to Ancient Africa, providing no personal challenge to act. There is little in ancient Africa that young people can … begin immediately to apply to their current environment. If black role models are mentioned, the discussion is limited to such figures as Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth, and Harriet Tubman---all of whom are compatible with a version of history that dwells on past grievances.” (Pg. 52-53)
He points out, Since the mid-1800s, a tension has existed between two factions within the black community---those who believe that racial equality should be pursued through the avenues of integration and legislative initiatives and those who believe in the power of self-determination and believe that stable and lasting racial equality must be based on a foundation of economic achievement. At the turn of the century, those two camps were epitomized in the figures of W.E.B. Du Bois… and Booker T. Washington.” (Pg. 64-65)
He contends, “a fixation on racism has prevented a probe of the root cause of the crisis we now face. The plagues that are dooming our future---black-on-black fratricide, a generation of children who will never receive love from the fathers they will never know, lives wasted though drug and alcohol addictions---these are all ultimately spiritual problems. The blame for these tragedies cannot be laid at the feet of white America. Today, there is a vacuum of spiritual leadership and a dearth of models of personal responsibility. Even many leaders of the black church… seem to have checked their spirituality at the door for the sake of political alliances.” (Pg. 72)
He says, “Long before support or acknowledgment came from the outside, the Josephs of our nation lived committed lives of service and accomplished miraculous changes in the lives of those they served. Yet an alliance between today’s Josephs and pharaohs will allow their transforming efforts to expand and further develop, to the benefit of the entire society.” (Pg. 118)
He proposes ‘effective compassion’: “[which is] charity that is directed in the right way, as a support rather than an alternative to the longstanding heartfelt service offered by men and women who live in the community. When resources and support are given to individuals who have a personal and long-term commitment to the people they serve, each donation will create ripples of benefits for years---and generations---to come. Like capital wisely invested, it will stimulate the moral and spiritual economy of low-income communities.” (Pg. 133)
This book will be of keen interest to those seeking help for low-income inner-city communities.
Very informative. Woodson did a great comparison (or analogy) of the story of Joseph from the bible to modern day grassroots Joseph style people. It opens your eye to how the local and nacional governments hold be the poor and disenfranchised population back from being able to grow and prosper is the US. It is worth reading.
This book based on the comparisons and contrasts of the biblical Joseph and the Egyptian Pharaohs and relating them to the today’s grassroot community leaders to the government and social program authorities and activists was eye opening to me. Through the first few chapters, I have to admit that I was a bit discouraged to continue reading, given the abundance of statistics showing the failures of the established systems of bureaucratic efforts, or even masked efforts to help the depressed black communities of our nation. I very well may have stopped reading and given the book a two-star rating. But I am glad that I continued to read and gave the book a four-star rating. The ensuing chapters showed where grassroot and faith-based healers and servants of the people have risen to bring hope to the poor. Woodson gives several true-life examples of courageous and selfless people (the Josephs) who do the work that social advocates (the present-day Pharaohs) have failed to deliver; yes, who have in many instances embellished their own fortunes. Then Woodson also shows where there can be success when the authorities and social organizations can humble themselves and include those people living in the suffering communities for input and partnership.
It was refreshing to learn of the work of people who came out of lives of destruction from their bondage in the very communities they now serve. People like Juan Rivera (his work is detailed in the book) and others have come out of poverty to “refuse to let external circumstance control their destinies” and become true advocates for the very suffering poor of the depressed communities they once were a part of. I feel this quote at the beginning of chapter four could be the theme of the book, “Like their biblical counterpart, many modern-day Josephs have emerged from the bondage of oppressive circumstances. One by one, they have been called to lives of responsibility and service—from jails, from drug addictions, from lives of crime, prostitution, and violence.”
Indeed, Woodson makes his main point clear: “Based on principles of self-determination and personal responsibilities, the strategies of today’s Josephs have done more to improve the condition of the poor than did an agenda focused on racial grievances and race-preferential policies.” And one more thing obvious to me, that every leader should consider is Woodson’s assertion that, “If racial discrimination is the single culprit that produces black dysfunction, why aren’t all blacks suffering equally?” He is really saying that some blacks are actually benefiting by the “poverty industry” but not the poor. This is a story of the contrast between victimhood and self-reliance.
The author gives much credit to faith-based solutions to the most-dire of oppressive conditions: “It is remarkable that we can understand and accept it when men and women give up their lives to death by taking drugs…But we refuse to acknowledge the validity of a rebirth to life and light. We close down when someone says, ‘I have been born again. I may have done things that have been self-destructive and devastating for others, but through the transforming power of Christ, I am a new person. My relationship with my mother, my father, my sister, my spouse, my sons and daughters has changed.’ Society will not accept that type of rebirth.”
Here is something that makes a lot of sense to me that is not so obvious to most of society, “the goal of grassroots programs is not rehabilitation but ‘transformation’”. Faith-based programs “do not seek simply to modify behavior but to engender a change in the values and hearts of the people they work with which will, in turn, affect behavior.”
Woodson describes the Josephs of today as trying to lift the minority impoverished communities out of their bondage of custodianship spawning socialism. Instead to the liberty of responsibility and self-reliance in a free society: “The poor are sentenced to live in a subeconomy, an experiment in socialism within America, where they are treated as impotent children yet expected to function as responsible adults.” Where by contrast, “In a market economy the fundamental basis of all transaction is mutual benefit. Two or more entities engage in an exchange in which each party offers something of value to the other.” The Josephs are promoting the latter and that is the message of the book.
I learned so much by reading this book but am afraid that in our entitled society there is a hard road the Josephs to have a lasting healing affect in our land.
My co worker bought this book for me. She’s from Ireland and has been living in USA for the last twenty years.
She saw Robert Woodson interview and was intrigued by his perceptive. She bought a copy of his book for her and a copy for me.
First of all, I’m a Philadelphian ( born and raised) in the inner city. And I’ve seen what happens in the inner city. Just recently, I realized I was poor growing up. Although I had a father who always provided for the family. And a mother who never skipped a beat to make sure we were taken care of. She encouraged us to be educated, provided leadership and promoted strong work ethics. So “ The Trumps of Joseph” topic was not relatively foreign. That being said, many times I wondered why is the citizens in the inner city so poor and most citizens seem trapped in a terrible cycle. The author gives his reasoning and touches on how “ grassroots” ( people from the same communities) with Christianity views, can help over come issues of poverty. He felt too many people of color focus on racism. And although racism still exist and contributes to people of color in poverty. He did not waiver that the true issue are the people in power. He himself was a civil right activist and he saw how the people in the movement used the poor to stay wealthy to get government money and prosper. They take advantage of communities in need for their gain. He truly believes there’s hope for poverty and he has the solution.
It’s a quick read full of insight and a perspective that should be heard!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Bob Woods on certainly gives us things to think about. I loved reading the personal accounts of success and am hopeful that we as a nation support those individuals who have created a climate of change in their communities. Throwing money to those whose goal is to keep the needy under their thumbs must be stopped! Dr Carson has made some positive moves but we need more for sure. Bob Woodson is an amazing man. I was fortunate to hear him interviewed on Life, Liberty and Levin!
Excited to read his book and was not disappointed. He is someone who is making a difference in our communities
This book was interesting for a Progressive like ne. Robert Woodson sr is a conservative for sure, especiallyhis quoted souces. But some of his points maybe very worth reflecting on, atoning for slavery, white saviorisim.He also doesn't let the rightwing get off without some criticism. Talks about differences in BLM and other current movements vs Civil Rights as Martin Luther King envisioned. Add to your justice and race reading list. He has some solutions but lots of political will and change of bureaucracy need to happen first. Short book with lots of repetitive points listed at beginning and ending of each chapter.
With all the talk about race in this country, this book shows another way that does not tear down our nation. Yes our government has erred but there has been grassroots leaders who have conquered their circumstances and helping others to do the same. This is a playbook for how to help all Americans to rebuild their communities in a way that does not create victims but does create possibilities for victors. A must read to understand what has gone wrong, why it has gone wrong and how we can make it right again.
I found some very important insights in this book. It made be a believer in systemic racism. I feel certain that people of color are indeed my brothers and sisters and that they will equally excel if we, all of us, will get out of their way. I feel like it will take more than that. Not only do those entrenched systems need to be removed, but all of our hearts need to be changed. Woodson gave me hope that such can be done. Probably more individually, than institutionally, but it can be done.
A Testament to the Dignity and Strength Within Every Human Being
Robert Woodson Sr. effectively illustrates a path to addressing many of the issues that are occurring in 2020. I looked up many of the people cited in the book. It was exciting to read that most of their work is flourishing still today. This serves to prove Woodson's thesis about the power of the "Josephs".
This book opened up my mind to how charity should work. How handouts are demeaning to people in need. How giving a hand up is so much more valuable than a handout. I wish everyone on both sides of the “isle” could read this..
This is an inspiring book about the effectiveness of grassroots helping in communities that far surpass the helping done by social welfare systems. Powerful.