NationallyknowncommunityorganizerandactivistHarryC.Boyteincitesreaderstojointoday’s“citizenmovement,“offeringpracticaltoolsforhowwecanchangethefaceofAmericabyfocusingonissuesclosetohome.Targetingusefultechniquesforindividualstoraisepublicconsciousnessandeffectivelymotivatecommunity-basedgroups,Boytegroundshisargumentsinthecountry’straditionof“populism,“demonstratinghowmobilizedcitizenscanbefarmorepowerfulthanourfrequentlyparalyzedpoliticians.Hethenofferspracticaltipsonidentifyingpotentialcitizenleadersandworkingthroughculturaldifferenceswithoutsacrificingidentities.Eachpointisillustratedbyinspiringreal-lifeexamplesofMinnesotanswhohavepromotedchange:AclusterofsuburbanneighborhoodsthatcametogethertotakebackSundaysfromoverzealousyouth-sportsorganizations.Animmigrantcommunitythatcreatedaculturalwellnesscenter.Anorganizationofmultiracial,multifaithcongregationsthatistacklingtoughsocialproblems.Forreadersdoubtingtheirabilitytomakeasignificantdifferenceinourworld,thishow-tobookwillshowtheway.HarryC.Boyteisanactivist,theauthorofseveralbooks,andaseniorfellowattheHumphreyInstituteofPublicAffairs.Hecofoundedtheinstitute’snonpartisanCenterforDemocracyandCitizenship.DonShelby,WCCO-TV,haswonthenation’stopjournalismhonors,andtwoPeabodyawards.
