My initial reaction when I started to read this book was, “how does it relate to our class?” So, I went on and finally I understand the importance of knowing the reasons why social organization emerged. I think we can either get them as model, or we can learn from their lessons as well. Because putting up an organization is not an easy task. Most especially here in the United States, we’re all people are busy with their own lives. The monthly bills is the most important thing to squared away, before we delve ourselves into extra curricular activities. But with all my curiosity, why do people join such an organization considering that there’s much more important thing in life that we need to take care of. There must be a compelling reason why do people lure to such activities.
“Mass society” theorist, for instance argued that social movements occured when a society had lost other, “intermediary” organizations that disconnected individuals could join (Kornhauser, 1959). This is one of the reason why people gather together because they have found connections and many other networking groups who advocates the same predicament as you do. Those people who are loosely attached to other people are the most likely the number 1 recruit of an organization. Because basically in here they receive recognition and friendship.
Regular organizations perceived to be stable and healthy unlike social movements it has different motivations. Other theorists emphasized the kind of people they thought likely to join movements, which would form when enough people were “alienated” from the world around them, or had infantile psychological needs that absorption in a movement might satisfy (Hoffer, 1951). Like, what Rhoda Blumberg discussion on Civil Right Movement, she said ” the poor are not always the most rebelious people in a society, nor do people always protest during the worst of times. Rather, people typically become angry and feel that their situation is unjust when there is a significant difference between the conditions of their lives and their expectations.” The poor although a marginalized sector of the society more often neglected by elitists but they group together as a movement to empower themselves because of the oppressive society due to the limited opportunity they have. It is important to advance their cause because if they do not form a movement they will be disregarded all the time. The African-American civil rights movement, has succesfully gained their end by showing to the whole world that the color of the skin is not too important but every human being has dignity, whether his black, white, latino or asians we’re all equal, we have dignity that needs to be respected. Time is changing, people’s perspective also change for better world. As the years went by, we learn more about our mistakes, and those mistakes should not happen again. We need to look at our neighbors how are they’re doing. If there’s a reason to advocate their cause why don’t we share to their predicaments. Its Christ emphasis to every Christian to “love they neighbor as your self” so we can live harmoniously.
Besides knowing the urge of the people why they join movements it is also important to know through this book the people who joins the movement. This is the reason why this book is very useful for me, because I am currently establishing a congregation. In fact, I just opened our first worship service last Sunday, and it was an awesome experience to start a new church for the glory of God. And one of the things that resonated with me is when the book discussed about putting up the issues upfront so that we can frame them whether the people will be interested to join or not. To be honest, it is definitely a hard task to find one convert from another denomination than the one who have already the same belief as you to join the fellowship. It is very easy to talk with them because you have already connections. And this is what this book is also talking about, especially when we discussed about recruitment. When we recruit people it is important to highlight what your group believe in, it must be presented, because you don’t want to put the people in limbo of where they getting themselves into. It is impportant to understand right away the agendas, so the people would know whether they fitted in such fellowship or organization.
Now lets talk about how movements survive? How does the middle- class social base supports their ideal and aspirations? How far can they go as far as their monetary support is concern? It is necessary to discuss this matter because an engine will not work if it has no gasoline. This book realizes the importance of our monetary support in advancing the movement’s issues. We need to challenge those well to do members of your movement to help you support manoetarily. Since you shared the same agenda or convictions it is not hard for someone to give something in the monetary level in the name of your organization. So, without financial support coming from different individuals it will be difficult for the movement or even an organization can stand.
I think the gist of this book is to understand the logic of why people join a movement, who joins it? and the most important thing is to know how this organization or movement will survive. How far they can go with their ideals and aspirations? What does it takes? I have given much opinion as I could I believe in cognizant with this book and talking with the book as much as possible is the key to understand the whole concept of The Social Movement Reader.
