Starting Somewhere: Community Organizing for Socially Awkward People Who've Had Enough

by Roderick Douglass

Starting Community Organizing For Socially Awkward People Who've Had Enough offers readers a crash course in organizing, educating, and agitating in the 21st Century. Written with a mix of incriminating anecdotes, personal retellings, and historical examples, Starting Somewhere is a first-person look at radical community organizing for misfits and outcasts committed to saving this planet for some inexplicable reason. Approx. 200 pages. 


 

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, Activism, Reference

206 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2025

Reviews

[Kitty Stryker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book is such an accessible, solid, common sense guide to mutual aid, community organizing, and political engagement. It touches on history without feeling too academic or heavy-handed, it gives you a great 101 understanding of protest safety while simultaneously encouraging you to seek out more information to better educate yourself, and it does it all with a wry sense of humor from somebody who has put themselves out there as a community member, and as a community organizer. I chuckled more than once, while also nodding at various points that are made that resonated strongly with my own experience. I consider this such a useful text, I plan to add it to the resources in the back of my next book. Definitely check this out!

[Nic · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ll definitely need to read this one more than once. Roderick Douglass presents such different ideas, my head is still spinning. Some of the actions had me reflexively recoiling, but he makes sure to explain himself thoroughly.

It’s A LOT of information and actions and ideas to take in. He also gives trigger warnings about multiple situations, be sure to approach them cautiously, he prepares readers beforehand, but it’s always good to be ready.

[Ames · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the physical copy! 4.25 stars out of 5!

Starting Somewhere was an accessible, inspiring read full of ideas and personal stories. The author does a great job of showing how local connections can build real community power (and backing that up with sources!). I can absolutely see why this book gets passed around so much between neighbors and friends—it’s easy to read, and grounded in real-world examples.

My only small complaint is that, despite the title, it doesn’t really offer many specific ideas for those of us who struggle with social awkwardness (or anxiety). That might be more on me than the author, since the description doesn’t promise that, but I still found myself wishing for a bit more of that personal angle.

Even so, this is the kind of book I’d love to keep extra copies of to drop off at Little Free Libraries or gift to friends, family, and neighbors. I filled the pages with sticky notes marking quotes and ideas I want to return to, and I can already tell this is a book I’ll be revisiting for inspiration for years to come. If Roderick ever puts out another book, I would be happy to read it!

[T A D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frank, awesome, and very helpful for those wanting to or already are engaged in community organization.

[Scott Satterwhite · Rating 5 out of 5]

A friend recommended this book. Lots of good advice for organizers in here, including the chapter on suicide. Worth reading.

[Sierra Hensley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really interesting read - my nonprofit boss would probably not approve of this book but I’m still counting reading it as intern hours (🤫)

[Teezy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An all timer. Last 3 chapters were perspective altering.

[Steven · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded down, for reasons that I will outline below.

Let's start with the positive--This book is a very low level primer on how one might get started with organizing. Since this is the case, it is probably a good resource for people who don't know anything about leftism and need to know, generally, what organizing can look like. I also very much liked the authors criticisms of electoralism and also his guidelines for men who want to engage in revolutionary movements. It is clear that the author's point of view lies in both theory and praxis, not just one or the other.

With that being said, this book was something different than what I thought it was going to be, and I think I need to temper my expectations when it comes to these "starting out" books. I thought that the author was going to dive a little deeper into the topic of organizing for SOCIALLY AWKWARD people, meaning that I was expecting him to give me a primer on how to not have so much tension with others in the process of organizing. There was little in the way of this specific subject, outside of the author telling readers to hang out where the misfits are. That was already fairly obvious to me, and it didn't answer the questions I had going into this book.

Similarly, my specific flavor of leftism differs a bit from the author's, in that it involves more emphasis on prefiguration. I'm not going to explain what that is here; Google is your friend. But in my opinion, the author seems to advocate an "anything goes" attitude when countering capitalism, and a more individualist-anarchist approach than what I would be an advocate of. That's fine, as it's just a difference of opinion, but it's not one that I tend to take seriously as a long term solution to capitalism. If we have no vision of what society can be after we fight against capitalism, then we fall into the trap of nihilism. I think the author probably does have a vision for what a revolutionary society can be, but he does not clearly outline it, which is probably the biggest hole in this book.

But since this is a call to action, I am still going to give it 3.5 stars, since we do desperately need to act. The book is just not what I thought it was going to be, which is why I rounded down. Could I write something better myself? Probably not, but that question not what this review is based on.

[Cheng Bogdani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Roderick Douglas is a longtime grassroots organizer working from a Marxist understanding of the world. This book is a primer for people who want to organize to fight back against Trump/right wing agendas/capitalists/police/etc. It's not a step by step HowTo; he's not giving very explicit instructions. In fact, he makes clear that praxis is a dialectic process and starting with the people and resources you have is the most important step to take.

He cites several examples, including Black Panthers social programs and the Young Lords trash battle as examples of how coming together to make your community better can lead all participants to a greater understanding of how power structures work and how we can dismantle them.

He also gives a lot of advice about avoiding burnout and dealing with personalities and people who have both reactionary and progressive ideas at the same time. He spends, rightly so, a while talking about why cis white men need to STFU and let marginalized groups lead movements.

I found this book to be inspiring and helpful and I recommend it to anyone who is active in their community, or wants to be more active.

I listened to the audiobook via Overdrive from my local library while running and/or cycling, and I don't process auditory info very well at the best of times so my recollection of details is suspect.

Reading Level: easy adult
Romance: no
Smut: no
Violence: no
TW: discussions of suicidal ideation

Kindle only?
----- Pre 2023? (IYKYK)

[Derek · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a cis-het middle-aged white man caught in and benefiting from the throes of the system, this was an intellectually- and emotionally-challenging book. This book is a call to arms, a call to criminality, a calling-out of the systems that perpetuate violence, and most importantly, a call >to do< for the most vulnerable of our tribe, regardless of political affiliation. Douglass shows us by doing, he models that with humanity and honesty (not just placations or generic humble-brags), and provides a document >to start doing<.

A very worthwhile read as someone who wants >to do< and one that will encourage me to step well outside my privileges in an effort to understand and act with courage and purpose.

[Skqueue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear, Relevant, Challenging, Inspiring. Roderick Douglas takes the reader under his wing, to learn but also witness what organized and personal Resistance looks like, when organized oppression is real. So thankful that he wrote this book. For me who enjoys relative privilege, but who still has had enough, it helps better see and understand what it means to both experience real targetted oppression in America, and what is necessary to actually hold your ground and bring about change when the system is not there to back you. A must read for anyone who is fed up with the crazy systems and governments we live under, but is still new-ish to actually doing something useful about it.

[Chris Bolick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written reminder that societal change starts at the community level, as well as that resistance may require active opposition to institutions or people in power including illegal and at times violent behavior. Action may be as simple as finding like minded people and supporting each other through mutual aid or it may involve first aid and rapid response training, but this is a good jumping off point for how to start acting within your community.

[Rian MarQuand · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an incredibly digestible and accessible book for anyone feeling lost right now. When you're overwhelmed by grief and fear, starting can often be the hardest part of making a change. This book addresses that difficulty and gives the reader almost step-by-step instructions to organize in their community, even including templates for flyers and meeting agendas. I would HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone looking to start somewhere and don't know where "somewhere" is.

[Django · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely wild read. From thanking his drug dealer, to a step-by-step guide to shoplifting, to a touching chapter on suicide and even a plea for leftist men to do more housework...This book kept surprising me.

This ain't a book of theory for you to structure your ideology around... it's a call to just do something and create networks of like-minded people. Read books, make friends, get over yourself and fight the long fight.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really incredible book. I already have multiple chapters I've gone back to in conversations in community. I've been able to use so many of the resources and ideas in the book in my own community work. I learned so much and I've excitedly shared my hardcopy with someone else in hopes that it will get passed on and on

[Aquila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Starting Somewhere is full of helpful ideas and tips on... Well, getting started.

The author shares personal stories of his years in activism and humorous asides along with so much valuable information that while I borrowed this book from the library on this first read, I think I'll have to go purchase a copy to reference whenever the need might arise.

[Kw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Small but mighty! Valuable insights from a seasoned organizer, also unafraid to challenge received wisdom, such as the supposed value of electoralism. Well-timed wit and personal anecdotes keep things real and approachable. Really glad I read this and can easily imagine recommending it to comrades irl.

[Paige D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Starting Somewhere is a sharp, honest, and empowering guide to community organizing that speaks directly to those who don’t see themselves in traditional activist spaces. Roderick Douglass blends personal experience with practical advice, creating a book that is both inspiring and actionable. A must-read for anyone ready to turn frustration into meaningful change.

[Shawn Steketee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very accessible book on community organizing. It’s full of good information for those who have been organizing for a long time and those just getting started.

[Sheridan Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for anyone looking to get into organizing, already is doing it or even is just starting to think about moving further left ideologically.

[BoinkDoinkly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super useful

[Hope · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was excellent. Short, clear, and practical. It's one you read for the content and then you keep returning to for reference/information because there is so much in here you can actually use.

[Will Sharp · Rating 5 out of 5]

hell yeah

[Lynzo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the hope we need right now.

[Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cool book that came heavily recommended. Reminds me a lot of Abbie Hoffman's "Steal This Book."

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an introvert this is the most radical book I’ve read 👍👍

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny, poignant, inspiring and moving. What a ride. This book was full of surprises. Thought-provoking, and compelling. Each chapter moved through it's idea with the stark and visceral reality we live in, set against humor and actionable suggestions. I learned about many new ideas I had not previously been aware of to continue my self education, from by-stander training and community preparedness events to election rejection. Well written and easy to read. I highly recommend to anyone interested in starting something.

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first saw Starting Somewhere suggested in one of my newsfeeds. The title hooked me immediately. It’s a quick, easy-to-read manual based on Roderick Douglass’s experiences as an activist in upstate New York.

Some of Roderick’s topics include: how to host a community event, how to design flyers, how to shoplift for supplies (!), and why we should reject national politics for local activism. It’s an honest, start-from-nothing approach on how to disrupt norms—and how to prepare for the consequences.

This is Roderick’s first book, and I hope it won’t be his last.

[Murph2090 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book actually challenged a lot of deeply set principles in this liberal middle class mind. I appreciate that challenge and will be chewing on this one for a while.