Linda Gordon's "Seven Social Movements That Changed America" explores how grassroots activism, exemplified by the Montgomery bus boycott and the California farmworkers' movement, transforms society. Gordon emphasizes the critical role of ordinary citizens in reform efforts, which thrive when participants engage in coordinated, collective actions. Her analysis highlights how movements rooted in community, such as those organized around Black churches and early feminist groups, foster a culture of participation and solidarity, making them powerful engines for social change.
"This is the essence of a boycott, (I)t forces a protest to be participatory."
"The Montgomery boycott... had the additional appeal of organizing around the city's Black churches, giving the movement the sociability... necessary to every social movement."
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