As bad as things have gotten for democracy in America, it no longer suffices to simply denounce those in power. Nor is it enough to march, call members of Congress, or vote, important though all of those things are.

Instead we have to find new ways of building power—a process that begins with grassroots community organizing. But what exactly does that look like? 

On this episode, Commonweal Mission and Partnerships director Claudia Avila Cosnahan is joined by two organizers: Nicholas Hayes-Mota, a public theologian and professor at Santa Clara University, and Michael Okinczyc-Cruz, co-founder of the Chicago-based Coalition for Spiritual and Public Life and the author of a new book on organizing. 

Besides explaining the history of organizing in America, and arguing for its necessity, Hayes-Mota and Okinczyc-Cruz share how organizing can also help the Catholic Church advocate for justice and peace throughout the world.  

For further reading: 

Claudia Avila Cosnahan on the Chavez revelations

Heidi Sclumpf on CSPL’s Mass outside an ICE facility

Joanna Arellano on the spiritual solace of organizing