Lessons for Resurgence from California with Manuel Pastor

Stepping Into Truth: Conversations on Social Justice and How We Get Free

Dr. Manuel Pastor

Okay my California peeps, you get to gloat. This fascinating interview with Dr. Manuel Pastor makes it abundantly clear that the rest of us have a lot to learn from the Golden State.

When most of us think of California we probably think of sand, sun, and a reliably blue state. But that's far from the whole story of CA which gave us, among other notable conservatives, Ronald Reagan and Rush Limbaugh. In his book State of Resistance: What California's Dizzying Descent and Remarkable Resurgence Mean for America's Future Dr. Pastor tells the story of California and shows how what that state has been through in the past few decades was the canary in the coal mine for where we find ourselves as a country today. From the battle for immigrant rights, to racial justice, to the climate crisis California has been ahead of the rest of the country and there are lessons that we can take to avoid some of what California has dealt with. This book pulled me in right from the start. Imagine having someone say, hey, this is what's going to happen and here's how you can avoid the worst of it. I would be all over that. Well, that's California for the rest of the U.S. I was especially grateful for Manuel's wisdom on how the most effective organizing is done. This is a great conversation and one that will leave you with practical steps you can take in your own social justice work. Have a listen, get the book, and then take what you learn and leverage it to help bring your goals to fruition.

About Dr. Pastor:

Dr. Manuel Pastor, director of the Equity Research Institute at USC, weaves together stats about the US's economic inequality, highlighting racial divides and immigrant-influenced demographic changes. His expertise comes from a decades-long career analyzing California's demographic changes and the multi-racial movement organizing that transformed its once anti-immigrant attitude to the inclusive, progressive state we know today. As the rest of the country follows a similar path, Dr. Pastor believes California’s story can serve as a roadmap for the nation.

For a written transcript of this conversation go here.

Action Steps:

1) Learn and apply the lessons of California to where you live
2) Learn to talk about race and racism every day
3) Continue to listen to Stepping Into Truth for good ideas for your local organizing

Resources:

State of Resistance: What California's Dizzying Descent and Remarkable Resurgence Mean for America's Future by Manuel Pastor

Connect with Dr. Pastor:
https://twitter.com/prof_MPastor/
https://twitter.com/ERI_USC
https://dornsife.usc.edu/eri/manuel-pastor/

Credits:
Harmonica music courtesy of a friend