Outline the history of Community Organization.

The history of Community Organization (CO) can be traced through various movements, social changes, and developments that aimed to empower communities and address social issues collectively. While the roots of community organizing can be found in early social movements, its formalization as a distinct practice gained momentum in the early to mid-20th century.

1. Early Roots:

• The origins of community organization can be traced back to social and labor movements of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Activists and reformers recognized the need to organize communities to address issues such as poor working conditions, housing, and healthcare. The Settlement House movement, initiated by figures like Jane Addams and Ellen Gates Starr in the late 19th century, exemplified efforts to bring social services directly to communities.

2. Social Work and Community Organization:

• The emergence of professional social work in the early 20th century played a crucial role in shaping community organization. Social workers, including Mary Ellen Richmond and Florence Kelley, emphasized the importance of understanding and addressing the root causes of social problems. Richmond's concept of "social diagnosis" encouraged social workers to examine the broader social context influencing individual and community issues.

3. The Chicago School and Saul Alinsky:

• The Chicago School of Sociology, particularly the work of scholars like Robert Park and Ernest Burgess, contributed to the development of community organization as a distinct field of study. Saul Alinsky, influenced by the Chicago School, became a prominent figure in the 1930s and 1940s. His approach, outlined in the book "Reveille for Radicals" (1946), emphasized grassroots organizing and community empowerment. Alinsky's work laid the foundation for modern community organizing methodologies.

4. Civil Rights and Community Organizing:

• The Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 1960s marked a significant period for community organizing. Activists like Ella Baker and Bayard Rustin employed community organizing strategies to mobilize communities against racial segregation and discrimination. Baker's emphasis on participatory democracy influenced the formation of grassroots organizations such as the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC).

5. War on Poverty and Model Cities Program:

• In the 1960s, the U.S. government's War on Poverty initiatives and the Model Cities Program provided resources for community organizing efforts. This period saw the development of Community Action Agencies, designed to empower low-income communities. However, the effectiveness of these initiatives varied, and challenges arose in sustaining community participation.

6. Environmental Justice and Anti-globalization Movements:

• In the late 20th century, community organizing expanded to address environmental justice issues. Communities facing environmental hazards and pollution organized to protect their rights, leading to the emergence of the environmental justice movement. The late 1990s and early 2000s also saw community organizing efforts within anti-globalization movements, where activists mobilized against perceived injustices associated with globalization and corporate power.

7. Modern Community Organizing:

• In the 21st century, community organizing has evolved with technological advancements and global connectivity. Grassroots organizations, often utilizing online platforms and social media, continue to address a wide range of issues, including racial justice, economic inequality, and climate change.

Throughout its history, community organizing has adapted to changing social and political landscapes. While its roots are deeply embedded in social movements and activism, contemporary community organization encompasses a diverse range of approaches and strategies aimed at empowering communities and promoting social change.