"I've had better weeks during my years with ACORN."
Bertha Lewis, CEO and Chief Organizer, ACORN, ACORN Newsletter, September 17, 2009
As the House and Senate take bold votes and investors and allies hide in the weeds, we ought to at least acknowledge what ACORN has done really well.
- ACORN has reached a lot of people that other so-called community organizations neglect.
- ACORN has taken on a lot of tough issues and has been relentless in spreading good ideas across the country -- like living wage.
- ACORN has delivered a lot of good services -- in a timely way.
- ACORN has mobilized while others have dawdled -- post-Katrina New Orleans
- ACORN has taken on banks and insurance companies that disinvested in low-income communities of color.
That's my beginning list. Nothing on this list excuses mismanagement. We should also acknowledge that while certainly being targetted, ACORN is responsible for a good deal of its current problems. But let's also remember that ACORN has been an extremely valuable community organizing resource.
Originally posted at BobGiloth.com.