Family Activism
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Family Activism EMPOWERING YOUR COMMUNITY, BEGINNING WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS
Roberto Vargas
Family Activism Copyright © 2008 by Roberto Vargas All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed “Attention: Permissions Coordinator,” at the address below. Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc. 235 Montgomery Street, Suite 650 San Francisco, California 94104-2916 Tel: (415) 288-0260, Fax: (415) 362-2512 www.bkconnection.com Ordering information for print editions Quantity sales. Special discounts are available on quantity purchases by corporations, associations, and others. For details, contact the “Special Sales Department” at the Berrett-Koehler address above. Individual sales. Berrett-Koehler publications are available through most bookstores. They can also be ordered directly from Berrett-Koehler: Tel: (800) 929-2929; Fax: (802) 864-7626; www.bkconnection.com Orders for college textbook/course adoption use. Please contact Berrett-Koehler: Tel: (800) 929-2929; Fax: (802) 864-7626. Orders by U.S. trade bookstores and wholesalers. Please contact Ingram Publisher Services, Tel: (800) 509-4887; Fax: (800) 838-1149; E-mail: customer
[email protected]; or visit www.ingrampublisherservices.com/ Ordering for details about electronic ordering. Berrett-Koehler and the BK logo are registered trademarks of Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc. First Edition Paperback print edition ISBN 978-1-57675-480-1 PDF e-book ISBN 978-1-57675-779-6 2008-1
interior design: Gopa & Ted2, Inc. cover design: Barbara Haines copy editor: Lunaea Weatherstone proofreader: Henrietta Bensussen production: Linda Jupiter Productions indexer: Medea Minnich
Dedicated to my grandmother, Mama Cuca, and my mother, Mama Tita, who taught me the practice of love in action. Two outstanding models of family activism who recently passed on to spirit life: Antonio “Tony” Salazar (1942–2007) and Rebecca Victoria Rubi (1949–2007). Your ability to care for family and community, and treat all people as familia, will continue to inspire many. All people doing their part to advance love, justice, and the Great Turning!
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Contents
Preface
ix
Introduction: Awakening to Activism
1
Par