Public & Political Action to Change Classist Policies & Practices

A. Take Action Against Public Policies that Worsen Economic Inequality

We need to learn more about the economic system that perpetuates class inequality and class domination.    We won't be able to address classism without working to reduce the extreme inequality of wealth and power in our society.

• Check out the work of United for a Fair Economy—including their accessible and engaging popular education workshops on the economy.

• Read the new book by Class Action staffers Chuck Collins and Felice Yeskel, which includes a large section on action:   Economic Apartheid in America: A Primer on Economic Inequality and Insecurity

• Read more about economic inequality. Download our bibliography on economic inequality.

• Keep track of the numbers that describe inequality.

• People in the top 5 percent of wealth holders have a role to play in speaking out about the public policies and corporate practices that worsen the class divide.   See information about Responsible Wealth and links from them.

• Owning Class: Funding Real Change, not Charity that reinforces the Unequal status quo.

B.   Partner with Other Action Organizations

The Class Action web site includes links to hundreds of local, regional, and national organizations working for social change.   See the variety of links in different resource areas.

What follows are several national organizations that have timely and action-oriented campaigns that you might find inspiring.   Many have regular “action alerts” to suggest meaningful actions:

• Campaign for America's Future
• Center for Community Change
• Children's Defense Fund
• Coalition for Human Needs
• United for a Fair Economy

C. Monthly Action Campaign Idea

Class Action is developing this part of our web site to include a range of issues linked to class, including education, health care, housing, taxes, and wage inequality.   Most important organizing work is done at the local level, in your community.   We feature this national activity as a resource.    We welcome your ideas and suggestions!

DECEMBER: Here's an important campaign focused on the federal budget:

Opportunity for All Campaign, coordinated by the Coalition for Human Needs

The Coalition on Human Needs launched this project to fight for a federal budget that protects services and benefits for low- and moderate-income Americans.

For millions of Americans, the door to opportunity may be swinging shut.

The federal budget should express a practical commitment to build a nation in which every American, young and old alike, is free from hunger, is adequately housed, and has access to health care. Yet increasingly we fear the opportunities to rise out of poverty are shrinking, and our children will have less of a chance to make a good life than earlier generations. As the gap between rich and poor widens, the upward mobility that has been the very hallmark of American progress is at risk. These trends are not beyond our control.

What Can I Do?   Visit the Coalition on Human Needs web site. Sign up to join the Opportunity for All Campaign, get the “budget basics,” find out about advocacy organizations, and discover other ideas and resources.