Status
Available
Pages
168
Genres
Collection
Publication
Beacon Press (2016), 168 pages
Description
A modern-day civil rights champion tells the stirring story of how he helped start a movement to bridge America's racial divide. Over the summer of 2013, the Reverend Dr. William J. Barber II led more than a hundred thousand people at rallies across North Carolina to protest restrictions to voting access and an extreme makeover of state government. These protests--the largest state government-focused civil disobedience campaign in American history--came to be known as Moral Mondays and have since blossomed in states as diverse as Florida, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Ohio, and New York. At a time when divide-and-conquer politics are exacerbating racial strife and economic inequality, Rev. Barber offers an impassioned, historically grounded argument that Moral Mondays are hard evidence of an embryonic Third Reconstruction in America. The first Reconstruction briefly flourished after Emancipation, and the second Reconstruction ushered in meaningful progress in the civil rights era. But both were met by ferocious reactionary measures that severely curtailed, and in many cases rolled back, racial and economic progress. This Third Reconstruction is a profoundly moral awakening of justice-loving people united in a fusion coalition powerful enough to reclaim the possibility of democracy--even in the face of corporate-financed extremism. In this memoir of how Rev. Barber and allies as diverse as progressive Christians, union members, and immigration-rights activists came together to build a coalition, he offers a trenchant analysis of race-based inequality and a hopeful message for a nation grappling with persistent racial and economic injustice. Rev. Barber writes movingly--and pragmatically--about how he laid the groundwork for a state-by-state movement that unites black, white, and brown, rich and poor, employed and unemployed, gay and straight, documented and undocumented, religious and secular. Only such a diverse fusion movement, Rev. Barber argues, can heal our nation's wounds and produce public policy that is morally defensible, constitutionally consistent, and economically sane. The Third Reconstruction is both a blueprint for movement building and an inspiring call to action from the twenty-first century's most effective grassroots organizer.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member froxgirl
Here's the history of the powerful "Moral Mondays" movement that originated in North Carolina. As the author, Rev Barber, says: it's not all about him. There's solid community organizing, a decades long progress of bringing together progressive groups with diverse agendas, and having them take up
This seemingly simple formula took years of meetings all across NC and the Rev Barber, who also suffered from paralysis for twelve years, makes note of the difficulty of replicating Moral Mondays across the country. His state had the great misfortune of being taken over by ALEC and by the Tea Party, and yet the movement was able to chalk up major successes due to the strong coalitions that had been formed. He provides advice here but yet reminds us that all politics are local. A modern day "Reveille For Radicals", the Rev Barber is a Saul Alinsky for our times. And this guide includes not only suggestions for action, but provides valuable insight into the political and spiritual growth of a remarkable man.
"Power concedes nothing without a demand" - Frederick Douglass
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each other's causes. And it's all based on a concept of morality, doing what is right and good, rather than religion. "In the American struggle for justice and freedom, moral dissent has always seemed impractical when it began." This means that when activists gather for a rally against environmental racism, pro choice allies will be there. And that when working conditions for undocumented workers at chicken processing plants put lives in danger, feminists will be present at the protests.This seemingly simple formula took years of meetings all across NC and the Rev Barber, who also suffered from paralysis for twelve years, makes note of the difficulty of replicating Moral Mondays across the country. His state had the great misfortune of being taken over by ALEC and by the Tea Party, and yet the movement was able to chalk up major successes due to the strong coalitions that had been formed. He provides advice here but yet reminds us that all politics are local. A modern day "Reveille For Radicals", the Rev Barber is a Saul Alinsky for our times. And this guide includes not only suggestions for action, but provides valuable insight into the political and spiritual growth of a remarkable man.
"Power concedes nothing without a demand" - Frederick Douglass
Show Less
LibraryThing member ERose207
The Third Reconstruction tells the story of a new justice movement that could has been building for decades and is a lesson on the history of America's repeated struggle for equality and morality in the face of fearmongers and elites who constantly seek to maintain the status quo. The morality
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discussed in this book is not approached overtly from any single religion's point of view, but rather encompasses the best messages from all religions as a support to the logic of doing what's right for everyone and applies these messages and logic to the moral dilemmas facing America today. The book also enlightens the reader on the ways in which the political elite attempt to subvert constitutional guarantees to further their own ends, using the recent legislative actions in North Carolina as an example of what can, is, and may occur across the county. The book also lays out a guide for anyone to build their own fusion coalition to tackle the systematic deconstruction of any progress towards the promise of America as it should be. This book is well written, insightful, and inspiring. Show Less
LibraryThing member kaceeolsen
nicely written book that describes what happened with the Moral Monday movement in North Carolina and the fight against the Koch brothers, (and their ilk) and to expose injustices forced upon people by those of wealth and power. it urges people to keep on, to persevere and to fight for justice. It
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unites people of all races and income levels (but primarily those living in poverty) to fight against the dominating powers of people like the Kochs Show Less
LibraryThing member sharamassey2014
I so loved this book!
LibraryThing member jwpell
This is an excellent book that should be read by anyone interested in how to fight the current swing toward racism, fascism, and the White Right. Barber details in a well-written personal narrative his own experiences with getting formerly disparate groups to join together in recognizing their
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common interests and fighting for them. The radical idea here is not just that e.g. Blacks and poor whites may have some things in common to fight for against wealthy interests that have bought our legislatures, but that the cause of one group is advanced by its joining the fight to help the interests of another -- even if the second group's needs don't immediately resonate with the first. Barber's story, though generally hopeful, comes with an undertone of worry: he details how politically conservative and wealthy forces doubled down and, in particular, made voting difficult, in response to the rise of fusion interest groups. Show Less
LibraryThing member BooksCooksLooks
As our political system swings towards a government purchased by corporate donors rather than truly elected by the people this book urges disparate groups to come together to fight against the money. It might surprise the different groups to realize that they have more in common than they might
The book is easy to read and very well written. It's not a screed at all. It encourages people to wake up and realize what is going on around them.
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realize and that only by joining and combining their power can they even begin to change a system that is so stacked against them.The book is easy to read and very well written. It's not a screed at all. It encourages people to wake up and realize what is going on around them.
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LibraryThing member mdbrady
This book appeared unexpectedly on my doorstep a week after my country’s disastrous presidential election. I started reading it immediately, and it was the perfect book to help me face the future.
William Barber is the North Carolina man who has brought together Moral Mondays, a large and
Part of Barber’s appeal is simply his own charismatic voice, a voice which resonates on every page of his book. Beyond that voice, however, Barber offers a much needed model for achieving unity while honoring diversity. Basically he listens deeply and honestly to others who do not share his beliefs or world view. While true to his own absolute religious stance, he does not assume, explicitly or implicitly, that he and his view must be accepted. Instead he focuses on existing issues on which there is agreement. As he points out, even when we work for various causes, we often face the same obstacles. In building his North Carolina movement, he brought together leaders of different progressive movements to develop a list of priorities that all could accept. Once the list was created, those present committed themselves to nonviolent efforts to address the problems. He and his allies developed a pattern for protesting their state legislature’s repressive actions against the neediest. At one level, Barber’s methods are not radical, but his willingness to listen and honor others is profoundly different from the way most of us usually work. He offers a possible way out of the dead end of working only with others like ourselves.
Barber calls his work “fusion politics” which establishes supportive relationships for the long haul. He recounts the ways in which blacks and whites were able to establish such alliances briefly after the Civil War. His vision also reflects the dream of a “beloved community” of the Civil Rights movement. In honoring these past moments, he calls his book and his project, the “Third Reconstruction.”
I strongly urge others to read and think about this book. I especially believe that it is an important book for those of us who are basically "good, white liberals" with secular leanings. Too often we say we support diversity, but we assume and listen primarily to our own insular voices. We think that being tolerant means never judging those who cause harm. Barber offer a prophetic alternative to stand up to evil words and actions while listening more clearly to those who might stand with us if we are humble enough to listen to them. Reading Barber I realized how we need to go back to taking the moral ground from those who advocate lies and hatred.
William Barber is the North Carolina man who has brought together Moral Mondays, a large and
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amazingly diverse movement opposing the extreme right’s legislation in his state. He brings together a strong Biblical Christianity with an equally strong respect for variety of people and causes. He calls this book a “memoir” of this movement. While he stresses that each state must develop its own agenda out of its own people’s grievances, he lays out the path to claiming the moral high ground that is inclusive rather than exclusive. I am not usually drawn to such deeply religious language as his, but reading his words I realized the importance of proclaiming that right and wrong still matter, despite claims that all positions are relative.Part of Barber’s appeal is simply his own charismatic voice, a voice which resonates on every page of his book. Beyond that voice, however, Barber offers a much needed model for achieving unity while honoring diversity. Basically he listens deeply and honestly to others who do not share his beliefs or world view. While true to his own absolute religious stance, he does not assume, explicitly or implicitly, that he and his view must be accepted. Instead he focuses on existing issues on which there is agreement. As he points out, even when we work for various causes, we often face the same obstacles. In building his North Carolina movement, he brought together leaders of different progressive movements to develop a list of priorities that all could accept. Once the list was created, those present committed themselves to nonviolent efforts to address the problems. He and his allies developed a pattern for protesting their state legislature’s repressive actions against the neediest. At one level, Barber’s methods are not radical, but his willingness to listen and honor others is profoundly different from the way most of us usually work. He offers a possible way out of the dead end of working only with others like ourselves.
Barber calls his work “fusion politics” which establishes supportive relationships for the long haul. He recounts the ways in which blacks and whites were able to establish such alliances briefly after the Civil War. His vision also reflects the dream of a “beloved community” of the Civil Rights movement. In honoring these past moments, he calls his book and his project, the “Third Reconstruction.”
I strongly urge others to read and think about this book. I especially believe that it is an important book for those of us who are basically "good, white liberals" with secular leanings. Too often we say we support diversity, but we assume and listen primarily to our own insular voices. We think that being tolerant means never judging those who cause harm. Barber offer a prophetic alternative to stand up to evil words and actions while listening more clearly to those who might stand with us if we are humble enough to listen to them. Reading Barber I realized how we need to go back to taking the moral ground from those who advocate lies and hatred.
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LibraryThing member revdak
I was looking forward to reading this book from the Rev. Dr. William J. Barber after hearing about the “Moral Mondays” movement in North Carolina that has rallied thousands of people to challenge what seemed to many to be a runaway legislature. I anticipated that I would learn more about Barber
Sadly, the very words “moral movement” might keep some folks who ought to read this book away. Ever since Jerry Falwell and his colleagues on the religious right claimed the title of the “Moral Majority,” “moral” has too often been used to typify a socially conservative, anti-gay, pro-capitalist viewpoint that has little appeal to people seeking broader inclusion, economic fairness, and legal justice in our nation. The Moral Movement that Dr. Barber and his associates are developing seeks to reclaim a moral language that returns “public discourse to our deepest moral and constitutional values.”
I got the book just before the Presidential election in November, and expected that it would be an interesting history about a progressive movement in a part of the country that unfortunately seemed rather regressive. (Disclosure: I am a California-based, liberal clergyperson formed in the tradition of faith-based work for justice and peace.) I finished reading it in a country that felt different, one where the forces of what Barber calls “the extremists” won the election and are quickly laying out their agenda for the country as a whole.
Reading the book helped me to understand more deeply why the North Carolina lawmakers seemed to be so out of control, and how their actions are perhaps a warning of things to come. Barber (and his co-author Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove) describe how the extreme positions taken by the legislature and state leaders are in to a great extent a reaction to what Barber calls the “Third Reconstruction.”
To understand what this third reconstruction might be, we need to study the first and second. The first brought about the abolition of slavery and the reshaping of civic life after the Civil War; the second was what we generally call the civil rights movement. Both movements were what Barber calls “fusion” movements, bringing people of diverse backgrounds, race, and experience together to fight for shared values and the common good. Both movements were also met by serious and often violent opposition, a backlash that took form not only in direct attacks on individuals and groups, but in manipulation of laws and public institutions to roll back what had been gained. The opponents “attacked voting rights. Then they attacked public education, labor, fair tax policies, and progressive leaders. Then they took over the state and federal courts, so they could be used to render rulings that would undermine the hope of a new America” (p. 117). What has been happening in North Carolina, and now seems poised to happen nationwide, is the newest manifestation of this historical backlash.
It might be harder to see now how the Moral Movement is overcoming division and fear, and a skeptic might say that our current situation disproves the validity of Barber’s approach. But Rev. Barber is no simplistic Pollyanna. He knows well the powerful reaction that rises to oppose movements that seek to support “voting rights, public education, fair tax structures, labor rights, women, immigrants, and minorities” (p. 120). The book is not only a celebration of what a movement has already accomplished, it is a warning that we as a nation have not yet achieved equality and justice. It offers a handbook for organizing (an Appendix for Organizers lines out 14 principles for developing a fusion movement).
Political activists may find Rev. Barber’s approach too “churchy;” church people may be uncomfortable with his direct political analysis and call to action. In his fusion of these two dimensions of his own personality and experience, Barber offers an inspiring history and a path forward for developing stronger and more inclusive partnerships dedicated to the good of all. Anyone concerned about social justice and community organizing should read this book.
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and the broad coalition that he and his co-workers organized that was fighting hard for the poor and disenfranchised in his community. The subtitle of the book promised to tell “How a Moral Movement is Overcoming the Politics of Division and Fear.”Sadly, the very words “moral movement” might keep some folks who ought to read this book away. Ever since Jerry Falwell and his colleagues on the religious right claimed the title of the “Moral Majority,” “moral” has too often been used to typify a socially conservative, anti-gay, pro-capitalist viewpoint that has little appeal to people seeking broader inclusion, economic fairness, and legal justice in our nation. The Moral Movement that Dr. Barber and his associates are developing seeks to reclaim a moral language that returns “public discourse to our deepest moral and constitutional values.”
I got the book just before the Presidential election in November, and expected that it would be an interesting history about a progressive movement in a part of the country that unfortunately seemed rather regressive. (Disclosure: I am a California-based, liberal clergyperson formed in the tradition of faith-based work for justice and peace.) I finished reading it in a country that felt different, one where the forces of what Barber calls “the extremists” won the election and are quickly laying out their agenda for the country as a whole.
Reading the book helped me to understand more deeply why the North Carolina lawmakers seemed to be so out of control, and how their actions are perhaps a warning of things to come. Barber (and his co-author Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove) describe how the extreme positions taken by the legislature and state leaders are in to a great extent a reaction to what Barber calls the “Third Reconstruction.”
To understand what this third reconstruction might be, we need to study the first and second. The first brought about the abolition of slavery and the reshaping of civic life after the Civil War; the second was what we generally call the civil rights movement. Both movements were what Barber calls “fusion” movements, bringing people of diverse backgrounds, race, and experience together to fight for shared values and the common good. Both movements were also met by serious and often violent opposition, a backlash that took form not only in direct attacks on individuals and groups, but in manipulation of laws and public institutions to roll back what had been gained. The opponents “attacked voting rights. Then they attacked public education, labor, fair tax policies, and progressive leaders. Then they took over the state and federal courts, so they could be used to render rulings that would undermine the hope of a new America” (p. 117). What has been happening in North Carolina, and now seems poised to happen nationwide, is the newest manifestation of this historical backlash.
It might be harder to see now how the Moral Movement is overcoming division and fear, and a skeptic might say that our current situation disproves the validity of Barber’s approach. But Rev. Barber is no simplistic Pollyanna. He knows well the powerful reaction that rises to oppose movements that seek to support “voting rights, public education, fair tax structures, labor rights, women, immigrants, and minorities” (p. 120). The book is not only a celebration of what a movement has already accomplished, it is a warning that we as a nation have not yet achieved equality and justice. It offers a handbook for organizing (an Appendix for Organizers lines out 14 principles for developing a fusion movement).
Political activists may find Rev. Barber’s approach too “churchy;” church people may be uncomfortable with his direct political analysis and call to action. In his fusion of these two dimensions of his own personality and experience, Barber offers an inspiring history and a path forward for developing stronger and more inclusive partnerships dedicated to the good of all. Anyone concerned about social justice and community organizing should read this book.
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LibraryThing member FCClibraryoshkosh
2016 has been short on good news. But Rev. Dr. William Barber is an exception. His "Moral Mondays" show us that the world doesn't have to be a place of dispair as long as there people of courage. He also calls us have the courage of our convictions and "Overcome the Politics of Division and Fear".
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He knows and these books show that it will not easy but it is needed. Show Less
LibraryThing member Dmoorela
Very quick and interesting story of Reverend Barber and his organization in NC. I wholeheartedly support the goals and public policy agenda of the Moral Monday's cause and find Reverend Barber's efforts laudable and important. That said I did not find enough concrete information in the book about
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the ultimate policy agenda for a Third Reconstruction. There was not enough information about how the NC experience is being translated to other states and other organizations. It was fine as far as it went providing a vision but in politics the devil is in the detail and the policy agenda leaves much to the imagination. I think the last chapter, which provides for a means to act, the most important part of the book. It gives anybody interested a list of possible first steps to become involved in social change. Show Less
LibraryThing member hipdeep
It took me a while to figure out that this book is, in essence, a sermon. Readers looking for a history of the Moral Mondays movement, or a blow-by-blow memoir, or a handbook for successful fusion politics, may be disappointed in this book's relative lack of detail. But consider the book's form -
This is a very broad but very short book, and there are a number of points where I would be interested in more depth, from the Reconstruction history of North Carolina to the theological views of Niebuhr and Hauerwas on Christian social action. That said, it's largely convincing, a fast and engaging read. It's probably most successful at forcing the questions "why not here? why not me?'
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one man's story of his religious and political journey, with frequent and intentional repetition of points of theology, history, and law, and expert code switching to reveal just enough of Rev. Barber's personal side. This is a sermon, designed to convince people that multiracial, interfaith, multi-issue coalitions can defeat big money elitist extremists in state politics... indeed, it seems to be Rev. Barber's view that only fusion politics holds much hope of success for a "third reconstruction" of American society.This is a very broad but very short book, and there are a number of points where I would be interested in more depth, from the Reconstruction history of North Carolina to the theological views of Niebuhr and Hauerwas on Christian social action. That said, it's largely convincing, a fast and engaging read. It's probably most successful at forcing the questions "why not here? why not me?'
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LibraryThing member calidream0823
What a great message this book brings to the heroes of our day. The most powerful and effective movements are at a grassroots level and Reverend Barber keeps that true in his efforts to help the poor and fight against discrimination. As advocates for fairness move, in their attempts to save the
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suffering souls of humanity, away from down the street or around the corner, they often lose sight of the people they are fighting for. This is a great reminder that, before we save the world, we need to save our neighbor, our friend and ourselves. Show Less
LibraryThing member eo206
This is an interesting book. A blend of faith, social justice, contemporary politics, and race. Rev. Dr. Barber writes about how the building of a movement around race and politics.
The end of the book has a nice 14 step list of ways organizers can begin to grow a movment within their own
Previous reviewers mention the book is like a sermon. It is and the personal views of the Revenend.
The end of the book has a nice 14 step list of ways organizers can begin to grow a movment within their own
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communities. The steps are very practical and a nice way to help everyone feel like they can connect with support social justice movements. Previous reviewers mention the book is like a sermon. It is and the personal views of the Revenend.
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LibraryThing member PoetVictoria
I fully support the Rev. Dr. Barber’s mission and I would be interested in joining the grass roots movement should it ever make its way to Arizona. It’s fair to say I’m more interested in the “how-to” section at the end of the book than the autobiography at the start.
LibraryThing member varielle
As a citizen of North Carolina, I have often felt the desire to join Rev. Barber for his Moral Monday events in Raleigh. Alas, I still have a job to hold down, but my moral support is not lacking. This is the story of how the Moral Monday movement was launched as a response of moderate and liberal
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Christians and other Progressives against right wing efforts to undermine voting rights and hard fought for civil liberties by right wing politicians and their financial supporters. A once moderate, progressive state found all state and local government systems undermined and under assault by big out of state money which gamed the system, gerrymandered voting districts, destroyed public education and led to a loss of rights and representation for minorities, children, the elderly, the impoverished, the disabled, women, veterans and a host of others. Barber's multi-racial, multi-ethnic, multi-religious coalition has impressed the world with their peaceful activism. Rev. Barber is a big man, who casts a big shadow. Perhaps even bigger than he has yet realized. Show Less
LibraryThing member aaronsinger
Brief but inspiring read on the North Carolina Moral Mondays movement by one of it's leaders, Rev. William Barber. Not a polemic or a tactics guide, but a personal description by Barber of his history, what brought him to the movement, what the movement is and how it came to be so intersectional;
Received in January 2016 as part of Early Reviewer giveaway from December 2015. Read not long after that, forgot to post until now.
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how it came to be composed of many disparate protest and action groups across a breadth of many issues.Received in January 2016 as part of Early Reviewer giveaway from December 2015. Read not long after that, forgot to post until now.
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Language
Original language
English
Physical description
168 p.; 5.9 inches
ISBN
0807007412 / 9780807007419