Multicultural Community Organizing: A Strategy for Change

Demographic projections suggest that income inequality will grow as the movement to reduce government spending leads to decreased federal responsibility and a decentralized, residual welfare state. The shift from federal to local administration of social welfare services suggests greater power for local communities in resource allocation. However, the ethnic, cultural, and racial diversity of U.S. society presents a challenge. Social workers must possess skills for working in a multicultural environment if communities are to be well represented in the planning process. This article draws on the literature on multicultural community practice to focus on influencing and reversing these trends through the development of intergroup solidarity.