In this book Marguerite Bouvard explores the power of working for social justice and community building at the grass roots level. An experienced scholar of American politics, Bouvard reveals that while views may clash at the federal and state level, the local level is a very important venue, where individuals and groups can create understanding between different faiths and help marginalized people feel empowered. The leaders and founders of these groups have not worked from the top down, but reached out to people at their own level to work together for positive change. Their much needed emotional and social intelligence reveals how one person can indeed make a difference when problems seem overwhelming. American may live in a divided country, yet this book reveals how our different faiths and backgrounds are able to work together on such important issues such as climate change, promoting understanding among diverse religions, and legal and social help for undocumented immigrants. It also discusses grass roots approaches to providing health care for the poor and underserved as well as how to integrate people with disabilities as productive members of society. Two of the chapters feature young people who are working with these issues. Social Justice at the Grass Roots is meant to empower young people as well as adults and help them to understand that they can make changes that bring us together. It reveals that compassion can overcome fear and misunderstanding to celebrate our diversity and argues that a different kind of power, one based on moral values, can make it possible for heterogeneous groups to progress in solving important problems in our society.
