ABSTRACT
For years, I resisted scholarship, theory, and doctoral studies. Despite encouragement from professors in undergraduate Psychology and Masters of Social Work programs, I refused. After all, I was making a much bigger contribution to society by pursuing a career as a community organizer than I would as a detached, disconnected scholar. I felt I was most useful working with the people in low-income neighborhoods in New York City and Oakland, California. We carried out political campaigns around affordable housing, ending domestic violence, access to affordable healthcare and pharmaceuticals, and school reform. Together, residents, parents, and I felt that we were influencing policy, increasing the skills and confidence of people in the community, and sparking public awareness of problems that prevent equity and social justice.
