Published: August 15, 2008 10:04 am            

Part I: Community organizing and problem solving: For Change

As Campaign 2008 moves closer to the finish line, charges and countercharges continue. In a communication I received from the Obama campaign, it is alleged that “John McCain and the Republican National Committee are trying to convince you that you’re being swept up and tricked into wanting change.

They want you to believe that everything is just fine — that we need to stay the course and elect someone who has voted with George W. Bush 95 percent of the time.”

I am not sure how accurate these claims are, but we all know that we are confronting difficult and, in some respects, awesome challenges in the nation and in the world. The problems we face at home and abroad impact our daily lives. These viewpoints have been articulated by the nation's corporate leaders time and time again.

More than a decade ago, Frank J. Connor, speaking at the National Association of Towns and Townships Annual Conference in 1985, articulated the need to acknowledge our problems and celebrate our achievements, particularly at the community level. I share Connor's views regarding the importance of involving citizens at the grassroots level in problem-solving.

The “State of the Union” is somewhat uncertain at this juncture as illustrated by the crisis between Georgia and Russia and as reflected in “fighting the specter of a deficit which, if left unattended, could become among our worst legacies we could leave to future generations.”

As the Federal government struggles to find ways to reduce the deficit, social programs will experience cutbacks in spending. Responsibilities for many programs will be shifted to the state and local levels in an increasingly multicultural society. This change parallels another trend that is altering the face of America — a resurgence of community life.

Small towns and “exurbia” —areas beyond suburbia— are becoming revitalized. Rural America has grown 50 percent faster than our cities. Given these transitions, it has been predicted that government responsibilities during the 21st century will continue to be redefined at all levels — local, county, state and federal. Meaningful changes in society will take place. This is the change to which Obama refers. Community organizing and participation will necessarily involve the “art of coping with change.” Problems such as ending hunger, shortcomings of our educational system, and solving the health care crisis are confronting all of us. With the continuing saga of the War in Iraq, dealing with domestic problems will become increasingly more difficult.

I have faith in the American people. When challenged to address basic needs, citizens in communities throughout the nation have the incredible capacity to cope with problems on their own initiative. And, such is the case in Huntsville, Walker County, Texas.

I have had the privilege of working with individuals and groups in our community. There are numerous community projects that have been designed to help residents in Walker County face the challenges of soaring costs for basic services, including utilities, gasoline and even supplies for school children.

People are feeding their neighbors, providing clothing for the less fortunate, helping the elderly and handicapped.

I want to take this opportunity to share with you a series of experiences that I have had since returning to Huntsville to retire.

To a casual observer, Huntsville may be perceived “as a small town resistant to change.”

An in-depth, honest examination of our city reveals a totally different picture. More than a year or two ago, some residents of Huntsville decided to create a mechanism by which greater communication and understanding could take place. Individuals like Dr. David Prier, Dr. Richard Watkins, John Escobedo, Mac Woodward, Percy Howard Jr., Willie Jerry Jones, Sr., James Patton, local ministers, city and county officials, for example, decided to sponsor, a series of events to promote the understanding of various cultures and to contribute to a stronger sense of community.

Working with groups like the NAACP, LULAC, various community organizations and churches, a substantial number of community leaders and residents appear to be meeting the challenges of a changing, multicultural society. Huntsville’s Promise, the Boys and Girls Club of Walker County, the YMCA, youth groups at Greater Zion Missionary Baptist Church, St. Paul United Methodist Church, St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, Hill’s Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, First Missionary Baptist Church, for example, are among many organizations that provide wholesome after-school, Bible study and lectures, and summer programs for youth.

Community planning and education go hand-in-hand. Several local businesses and organizations have joined efforts by The Samuel Walker Houston Museum and Cultural Center and J&M Contracting, Inc. to provide support to improve education.

Key co-sponsors for the “Annual School Supply Give-a-Way” that will take place today at the Samuel Walker Houston Museum and Cultural Center (1604 10th Street) include: Hillcrest Ford, LULAC, NAACP, Common Heritage Association, and the Midway Baptist Church.

We want to express our appreciation to these organizations and the many volunteers that will provide assistance in distributing supplies. Our appreciation is expressed to all of the fine residents of Huntsville and Walker County — particularly Jimmy and Mandy Spivey — that work to make life better for those in need.

Arnold Toynbee noted that “the common characteristic of the world's great civilizations has been the creative response to extraordinary challenge.” Together, we will move forward.



Naomi W. Ledé is a retired Senior Research Scientist, Distinguished Professor and former University Administrator. She serves as Chair of the Board of the Samuel Walker Houston Museum and Cultural Center in Huntsville.

        

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