Paul Martin

“And partly because it seemed to be a place that hadn’t yet been rendered plastic by American commercial culture.”
― Steven Pressfield, Govt Cheese: A Memoir

“Ross was an agnostic and in spiritual matters more aligned with Saul Alinsky, content with the earthbound glories of organizing: leaders developed, legislation passed, politicians held accountable. Ross’s idea of a “model” community was one in which poor people were organized and powerful.”
― Gabriel Thompson, America's Social Arsonist: Fred Ross and Grassroots Organizing in the Twentieth Century

“These one-off campaigns had never penetrated the country’s consciousness. But the new lettuce strike had galvanized the public—at least in the Bay Area—once again. “It was like going from an old bicycle to a motorcycle,” said Brown. “You hit the gas and took off.”23 In August, Ross and Brown coordinated a small twelve-day march led by Chavez from San Francisco to Salinas, where they were joined by another march, thousands strong, of farmworkers. A massive rally was held the following day. “Go out and win,” Governor Jerry Brown told the cheering crowd. “The victory is yours.”24”
― Gabriel Thompson, America's Social Arsonist: Fred Ross and Grassroots Organizing in the Twentieth Century

“It changes what time we get up and it changes what time we go to bed. It changes what we do and what we don't do. It changes the activities we engage in and with what attitude we engage in them. It changes what we read and what we eat. It changes the shape of our bodies.”
― Steven Pressfield, Turning Pro