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The Story of Acorn: America's Most Controversial Antipoverty Community Organizing Group

Jan Mitchell

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Published in Seeds Of Change: The Story Of ACORN America S Most Controversial Antipoverty Community Organizing Group

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The Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) was a controversial antipoverty community organizing group that operated in the United States from 1970 to 2010. ACORN was known for its aggressive tactics, which included door-to-door canvassing, voter registration drives, and protests.

ACORN's success in organizing low-income communities and its ability to mobilize voters made it a powerful force in American politics. However, the group was also dogged by allegations of voter fraud and other wrongng. In 2010, ACORN was forced to close its doors after it was targeted by conservative groups and the media.

Seeds of Change: The Story of ACORN, America's Most Controversial Antipoverty Community Organizing Group

by John Atlas

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
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The Founding of ACORN

ACORN was founded in 1970 by Wade Rathke, a former community organizer with the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF). Rathke believed that low-income communities needed a powerful organization to represent their interests. He envisioned ACORN as a network of community-based organizations that would work together to fight for social and economic justice.

ACORN's Early Years

In its early years, ACORN focused on organizing low-income communities in Texas. The group's first major victory came in 1973, when it helped to organize a successful campaign to block the construction of a highway that would have displaced a predominantly African American neighborhood in Dallas.

ACORN's success in Dallas caught the attention of other community organizers around the country. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, ACORN expanded its operations to other cities, including Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago.

ACORN's Success

ACORN's success in organizing low-income communities was due in part to its aggressive tactics. The group's organizers were known for their door-to-door canvassing, which allowed them to build relationships with potential members and identify their needs. ACORN also organized voter registration drives and protests, which helped to mobilize voters and put pressure on elected officials.

ACORN's success was also due to its ability to build coalitions with other groups. The group worked with labor unions, civil rights organizations, and faith-based organizations to fight for common goals. ACORN's broad base of support made it a powerful force in American politics.

ACORN's Controversies

ACORN's aggressive tactics and its involvement in controversial issues made it a target for conservative groups and the media. In the 1990s, ACORN was accused of voter fraud in a number of elections. The group was also criticized for its support of welfare rights and its opposition to the death penalty.

In 2009, ACORN was targeted by a conservative group called Project Veritas. Project Veritas released a series of undercover videos that showed ACORN employees providing advice to undercover operatives who were posing as prostitutes. The videos caused a national scandal and led to ACORN's loss of federal funding.

ACORN's Closure

In 2010, ACORN was forced to close its doors. The group had been weakened by the loss of federal funding and the negative publicity generated by the Project Veritas videos. ACORN's closure was a major setback for the antipoverty movement in the United States.

ACORN's Legacy

ACORN's closure left a void in the antipoverty movement. The group's unique combination of organizing skills and political clout has not been replicated by any other organization. ACORN's legacy is likely to be debated for years to come.

The Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) was a powerful force in American politics for over three decades. The group's success in organizing low-income communities and its ability to mobilize voters made it a valuable ally to progressive politicians and activists. However, ACORN's aggressive tactics and alleged involvement in voter fraud made it a target for conservative groups and the media. In 2010, ACORN was forced to close its doors. The group's closure was a major setback for the antipoverty movement in the United States.

ACORN's legacy is complex and controversial. The group played a significant role in helping to improve the lives of low-income Americans. However, ACORN's aggressive tactics and alleged involvement in voter fraud raised serious questions about the group's legitimacy. ACORN's closure left a void in the antipoverty movement. The group's unique combination of organizing skills and political clout has not been replicated by any other organization. ACORN's legacy is likely to be debated for years to come.

Seeds of Change: The Story of ACORN, America's Most Controversial Antipoverty Community Organizing Group

by John Atlas

5 out of 5