SKU: 132767123

Front Porch Politics: The Forgotten Heyday of American Activism in the 1970s and 1980s

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Front Porch Politics: The Forgotten Heyday of American Activism in the 1970s and 1980s"Reading this book revives the spirit of civic action today for those who are unjustifiably forlorn about overcoming injustice." Ralph Nader An on the ground history of ordinary Americans who took to the streets when political issues became personal The 1960s are widely seen as the high tide of political activism in the United States. According to this view, Americans retreated to the private realm after the tumult of the civil rights and antiwar

"Reading this book revives the spirit of civic action today for those who are unjustifiably forlorn about overcoming injustice."--Ralph Nader

An on-the-ground history of ordinary Americans who took to the streets when political issues became personal

The 1960s are widely seen as the high tide of political activism in the United States. According to this view, Americans retreated to the private realm after the tumult of the civil rights and antiwar movements, and on the rare occasions when they did take action, it was mainly to express their wish to be left alone by government--as recommended by Ronald Reagan and the ascendant New Right.
In fact, as Michael Stewart Foley shows in Front Porch Politics, this understanding of post-1960s politics needs drastic revision. On the community level, the 1970s and 1980s witnessed an unprecedented upsurge of innovative and impassioned grass roots political activity. In Southern California and on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, tenants challenged landlords with sit-ins and referenda; in the upper Midwest, farmers vandalized power lines and mobilized tractors to protect their land; and in the deindustrializing cities of the Rust Belt, laid-off workers boldly claimed the right to own their idled factories. Meanwhile, activists fought to defend the traditional family or to expand the rights of women, while entire towns organized to protest the toxic sludge in their basements. Recalling Love Canal, the tax revolt in California, ACT UP, and other crusades famous or forgotten, Foley shows how Americans were propelled by personal experiences and emotions into the public sphere. Disregarding conventional ideas of left and right, they turned to political action when they perceived, from their actual or figurative front porches, an immediate threat to their families, homes, or dreams.
Front Porch Politics is a vivid and authoritative people's history of a time when Americans followed their outrage into the streets. Addressing today's readers, it is also a field guide for effective activism in an era when mass movements may seem impractical or even pass . The distinctively visceral, local, and highly personal politics that Americans practiced in the 1970s and 1980s provide a model of citizenship participation worth emulating if we are to renew our democracy.



Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: St. Martins Press-3PL
Published: 09/16/2014
ISBN: 9780809047970
Pages: 401
Weight: 1.39lbs
Size: 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.96d
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SKU: 132767123

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Alexandra VanDrie
Houston, US
★★★★★ 5
Focused and Relevant
Format: Paperback, Format: Paperback
I’m new to learning Spanish. I’ve been at it for only about 9 months, but I chose to learn it for my job as a 911 dispatcher. This book was recommended to me by my Spanish tutor who has a family member that is a cop. This book contains SO many job relevant words, phrases, and cultural tips that I am learning a ton! And the book breaks things down by type. For example, the “traffic” chapter is a little less relevant to me as a dispatcher because I won’t be doing traffic stops or field sobriety tests. But there are also sections dotted throughout the book that are very relevant to dispatcher phone interrogation. Very pleased with this book, now they just need to write one specifically FOR dispatch. :D
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Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2020
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Kevin
Boise, US
★★★★★ 4
Bigger book than I though but great information
Format: Paperback
Great book to learn a little Spanish. I wished it was smaller though.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2025
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Fabricio
Birmingham, US
★★★★★ 5
A must for Spanish Speaking Officers.
Format: Paperback
I sought out this book because I did not feel comfortable speaking Spanish in a law enforcement context. This booked greatly improved my Spanish and allowed me to bolster my proficiency. If you are a Spanish Speaking officer, please get this book.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2023
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Amazon Customer
Birmingham, US
★★★★★ 5
Son likes it
Format: Paperback
Son says it's helpful.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2025
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Jan
Bozeman, US
★★★★★ 5
Very Helpful
This book applies to others also, not just law enforcement. There is a lot of information in the book that will help you with all your Spanish. Found it to be accurate with dealing with locals as many of the words are a little different than what you learn in Spanish 101(Spain Spanish). For law enforcement officials wanting to learn to communicate with latinos in america, this book will help you learn what you want to say. There are three CD's with the book. I would strongly suggest listening to the CD's over and over again.....it really will help you.
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Reviewed in the United States on August 18, 2012

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