America's Social Arsonist: Fred Ross and Grassroots Organizing in the Twentieth Century

by Gabriel Thompson

Overview

"A good organizer is a social arsonist who goes around setting people on fire."—Fred Ross

Raised by conservative parents who hoped he would “stay with his own kind,” Fred Ross instead became one of the most influential community organizers in American history. His activism began alongside Dust Bowl migrants, where he managed the same labor camp that inspired John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath. During World War II, Ross worked for the release of interned Japanese Americans, and after the war, he dedicated his life to building the political power of Latinos across California. Labor organizing in this country was forever changed when Ross knocked on the door of a young Cesar Chavez and encouraged him to become an organizer.

Until now there has been no biography of Fred Ross, a man who believed a good organizer was supposed to fade into the crowd as others stepped forward. In America’s Social Arsonist, Gabriel Thompson provides a full picture of this complicated and driven man, recovering a forgotten chapter of American history and providing vital lessons for organizers today.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780520306196
Publisher:	University of California Press
Publication date:	04/02/2019
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	296
Sales rank:	884,819
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Gabriel Thompson is a Steinbeck Fellow in Creative Writing at San Jose State University. He is the author of several books, including Working in the Shadows, and has written for Harper’s, New York, Mother Jones, Virginia Quarterly Review, and The Nation.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations ix

Acknowledgments xi

Introduction 1

Part 1 The Education of an Organizer (1910-1947)

1 All That You Do, Do with Your Might 9

2 Dealing Firsthand with the Rotten System 19

3 Witness to The Grapes of Wrath 32

4 Doing Penance 48

5 The Mexican Problem 63

6 Red Ross 75

Part 2 Organizing a Movement (1947-1963)

7 Viva Roybal 85

8 Bloody Christmas 98

9 Finding Cesar 109

10 On the Road 118

11 Growing Pains 131

12 The Life and Death of the CSO 140

Part 3 Organizer as Teacher (1964-1992)

13 Poverty Fiasco 153

14 David vs. Goliath 173

15 Don't Buy Grapes 188

16 The Battle of the Butcher Paper 199

17 Blind Spot 210

18 The Forever Project 226

Appendix: Axioms for Organizers 237

Notes 239

Selected Bibliography 259

Index 265

Editorial Reviews

"This is an absolutely must-read book for organizers, those interested in organizing, and those interested in how to achieve progressive social change. It is also perfect for book groups, inspiring discussions sure to go far into the night."

Social Policy - Randy Shaw

"One of the most profound meetings in San Jose history occurred on the evening of June 9, 1952, when a wiry community organizer named Fred Ross knocked on the door of 25-year-old Cesar Chavez and asked him to become a leader of his people. . . . Until recently, Ross has been seen as the less prominent partner in that meeting. He generally avoided the limelight before his death in 1992. But now a new book, 'America's Social Arsonist,' by Oakland-based writer Gabriel Thompson, recounts Ross' career and his huge impact."

San Jose Mercury News - Scott Herhold

"Those who know the name Fred Ross probably identify him as 'the man who taught Cesar Chavez how to organize,' as he was once dubbed by The Chronicle. Most Californians probably have never heard of him. Gabriel Thompson’s superb new biography of Ross, 'America’s Social Arsonist: Fred Ross and Grassroots Organizing in the Twentieth Century,' will be fascinating for both groups. The author sheds new light on the life of a man whose presence was behind the scenes but whose work ended up in the headlines. . . . Thompson has plumbed Ross’ extensive notes and files to relay vivid accounts of his experiences and insight into his ideas. During his half century as an organizer, Ross pioneered tactics that are widely used today. 'But,' asserts Thompson, 'his greatest legacy is in the people he inspired and mentored who went on to shape California and U.S. history.'"

San Francisco Chronicle - Elaine Elinson

"Gabriel Thompson has produced a masterful and engaging book about a premier American organizer, Fred Ross Sr. . . . This fine book is many things – useful, moving, and sad. It highlights the creative innovations and the painful lessons of an organizer who spent his career behind the scenes, but who is getting, at long last, the attention he richly deserves."

Labor's Edge - Michael Gecan

"America’s Social Arsonist is a compact synthetic history of the social justice movements in which [Fred] Ross played an important part. And Ross certainly deserves the credit Thompson gives him for pulling together key elements—especially putting house meetings at the center—during the early post-World War II fights to create an effective modern organizing playbook."

BOOM California - Fred Glass

"Gabriel Thompson’s useful, readable biography of this single-minded man reminds us of both the heroism and personal cost of the organizer."

Guns & Money Lawyers

"...Ross is mostly forgotten today. This is why Gabriel Thompson's new book, which finally provides a rich and detailed history of Ross, is so important. [...] This book is a must read for anyone interested in the history of organizing in America."

Pacific Historical Review

"An excellent biography . . . (4 out of 5 stars)"

Mal Warwick's Blog on Books

"In America’s Social Arsonist, Gabriel Thompson captures Ross’ life story and core ideas. It is among the books to be read by anyone interested in labor or community organizing and the future of democracy as more than marketing politicians to consumer “citizens” when real power lies in the hands of those with money. . . . This brief review can’t do justice to Ross, or to Thompson’s telling of his story. It’s an important story, well told. Read the book!"

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