Blog Post #7": “Change, Not Charity: Why Supporting Grassroots Organizations Is Important”

The “River Story” — a Parable

Three friends picnicking at a river’s edge suddenly see a baby floating down the river, with more babies coming behind it. Two of the friends jump into the water and start pulling the babies to safety. The third person, however, takes off at a run.

“Where are you going?” call the others.

“I’m going upstream to see who’s throwing babies into the river and get them to stop!”

This parable is adapted from a story usually credited to the late medical sociologist and activist Irving Zola.

The CHARITY approach (rescuing the babies) meets the immediate needs of individuals. Examples of charitable giving include donating to soup kitchens and homeless shelters, helping to build houses for individual families, and tutoring. This type of approach is sometimes called a “band-aid” fix, which is crucial to those who receive the aid but sustains the status quo of inadequate — or nonexistent — institutional intervention.

The JUSTICE approach (finding out why the babies have been tossed into the river in the first place and what can be done to stop it) is aimed at changing practices, policies, and laws that cause harm, often to marginalized communities. Giving via the justice approach includes donating to organizations that help communities protest local oil drilling, work to change abusive corporate policies and practices, and advocate for progressive legislative measures, both locally and nationally.

Change, Not Charity

Both the charity and justice approaches are necessary — but since more people will likely use their resources to “rescue babies” by giving to charities, let me suggest the alternative of giving mostly to grassroots organizations that work to stop the root causes of injustice. I give to these organizations: Honor the Earth, The Indigenous Environmental Network, and Black Lives Matter.

Liberty Hill, a public foundation in Los Angeles whose motto is “Change, Not Charity,” is another of my favorites. Founded in 1976, Liberty Hill has become a national leader in social justice — nurturing community leaders, transforming neighborhoods, and impacting national policies. Liberty Hill grants provide unrestricted funds for grassroots organizations, leadership training, and alliance building for maximum effectiveness in progressive campaigns.

In speaking of the times we live in, Shane Goldsmith, the foundation’s executive director, says, “We know that community organizing is vital as we work to ensure that no ground is lost, past gains are preserved, and equity is expanded.”

Who are you giving to this holiday season? Join me in giving to these essential justice organizations, or others of your choosing.

You can also find this and other blog post written by me on Medium.