Aaron Scott is a church worker, organizer, leader with the Poor People's Campaign, and co-founder of Chaplains on the Harbor. A second-generation preacher and third-generation organizer, he is a trans father and a Christian who grew up in poverty. Scott, who received his MA in Biblical Studies from Union Theological Seminary in 2009, is a contributing author to both We Cry Justice and Jesus Led a Poor People's Campaign. He and his family live in Washington.
Description
Introduction 1 Rule One: Come Get Your Cousin Randy 2 Rule Two: Talk to Randy Like You Actually Give a Damn about Him 3 Rule Three: Get Real about History 4 Rule Four: Know Yourself, Know Your Adversary 5 Rule Five: Calculate Your Risks 6 Rule Six: Get a Religious Strategy, Even If You Aren't Religious 7 Rule Seven: Rehome Randy 8 Rule Eight: Stop Blaming People and Start Organizing Them 9 Rule Nine: Pledge Allegiance to the Bottom 10 Rule Ten: Never Forget That the Revolution Comes to Randyland Too Acknowledgments Notes
"Aaron Scott offers an empathic guide for communicating with the 'Cousin Randys' in our midst: downwardly mobile, largely White friends and family members who, having fallen for the identity politics and false promises of the Christian nationalist movement, are among its many victims. Bring Back Your People is sure to spark some of the courageous conversations we need right now." --Katherine Stewart, author of The Power Worshippers "This book manages to be both incredibly funny and, at the same time, concretely useful and urgently relevant. Mandatory reading for anyone needing an anchor, a lifeboat, and a laugh in this stormy political moment." --Rahna Epting, executive director of MoveOn "If you believe we must build a multiracial, intergenerational, inclusive, and peace-loving democracy dedicated to all humans flourishing and a sustainable planet, Bring Back Your People is an absolute, total must-read. With anecdotes and lessons equal parts hilarious, soul-crushing, and deeply hopeful, Scott offers analysis, examples, and how-tos to counter-recruit and overcome White Christian nationalism. Be prepared to laugh, cry, and be inspired to organize, organize, organize." --Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis, author, theologian, pastor, and anti-poverty activist "An important book for anyone interested in addressing the surge in White Christian nationalism in the US, especially among poor White communities. In this fast-paced, humorous--and deadly serious--book, Aaron Scott tells the story of Randy, any of the millions of regular-ass people who wave the flag of God and country. He challenges the White liberal tendency to write off people often called rednecks, and suggests instead that progressives develop a strategy for counter-recruitment, rooted in an understanding of the material conditions of the poor. Scott calls us to examine history and to build genuine relationships with poor communities and address the widespread incarceration, homelessness, and poverty they face. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in counter-recruiting from the White Christian nationalism that shapes this country's history and present." --Cedar Monroe, author of Trash: A Poor White Journey "As the pastor of a Black congregation recently targeted by the violence of White Christian nationalists, I believe Bring Back Your People couldn't be more timely. At the same time, this book shares spiritual, survival, and organizing insights for the long haul--and that's critical. Because as we know, America didn't get here overnight, and America won't get out of this overnight." --Rev. William H. Lamar IV, Metropolitan AME Church "As a progressive Jewish leader who has been impacted by White Christian nationalism and has been organizing against it for over half my life, I want to express appreciation to Aaron Scott for recognizing the need to organize his community and providing a road map for others to join him. Bring Back Your People is an exceptionally entertaining book about a deadly serious topic. It manages to achieve this unlikely balance because of Scott's irreverent authenticity, his sharp analysis, his masterful sense of humor, and his unwavering love for poor and working-class White people. Whether you have a cousin Randy or not, this book provides excellent guidance and concrete tactics to bring the fight against White Christian nationalism." --Stosh Cotler, former CEO of Bend the Arc Jewish Action and anti-authoritarian organizer