Assignment Directions:
You are a community organizer working to address some major social problems in your community. Read the scenario below and answer the questions.
Scenario:
You live in a large urban neighborhood in Toronto that is strongly stratified by class. The houses on the Southern side of your neighborhood are quite dilapidated, crime is rampant, vital businesses and jobs are scarce, and the neighborhood is in need of revitalization. Most people in this section of the neighborhood make a median income below the poverty line. The Northern side of the neighborhood is more affluent. There are numerous businesses within walking distance, crime has generally remained minimal, and there is a Neighborhood Watch program in place.
Recently, the local news media has exposed an upsurge in crime in the entire neighborhood. A housing crisis is occurring, drug use in the community is extensive and progressively visible, and the school district is in shambles after dropout rates have surged and teacher retention has dwindled. Community members on both the Northern and Southern ends of the neighborhood have increasingly expressed concern about the state of their community. There is a neighborhood organization in place; but all regular members are upper-middle class, and most neighborhood projects and initiatives focus on beautifying the Northern section of town.
Community members from the Southern part of town have recently expressed anger and frustration about their lack of status in community operations. Local government representatives are deliberating on whether or not to install a community policing program in the community or to explore other options. The housing crisis is becoming a wide-scale dilemma, now affecting the middle class and not simply impoverished community members. All families are concerned about the poor resources in their schools and the lack of quality educators. The existing neighborhood group now realizes that they have a crucial role in rallying ALL community members to address the various problems facing the community, and they must come up with some solutions before the upcoming community meeting.
Questions:
(1) List the social problems in this study in the order in which you will address them. (1 being the most important to 10 being least important).
(2) Why did you decide to address social problems in this particular order? Explain your rationale for choosing the first social problem. Why is this problem top priority? Why is the last concern you listed a lower priority?
(3) What experience(s) could you bring to this community meeting/discussion?
(4) What community organizing strategy would you suggest for this meeting and why?
(5) What social media strategies and tactics will you use to spread your message? Will your tactics center on protest, direct action, education, garnering media attention, etc.- or a combination of these activities? Did you choose strategies and tactics within or outside of societal norms and institutionalized means? Were tactics legal or illegal? (5 marks)
(6) List your affiliates and opponents. With which organizations, community groups, social movements, and politicians will you align? Which groups will you oppose? Name movement resources (ie: networks, affiliated organizations, money sources, and advocates) from which you will draw.
(7) At what phase of the Community Organizing Cycle is this issue currently in and justify your reasoning.