Story #36: Ernesto Cortés on Democracy

“Your political perspective depends on what you think is the relevant time period…the relevant time period for a grandparent is a generation, so I argue that you need to develop organizations that think like grandparents, to organize and reorganize to build power to make things happen for grandchildren.” - Ernesto Cortés

On October 12th, 2012, Ernesto Cortés, Jr., Co-Director of the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF), received the Robert Coles “Call of Service” Award at Harvard Memorial Church. The audience celebrated Cortés's unwavering commitment to community organizing and leadership development for politically disenfranchised populations.

In his remarks, Cortés emphasized that the award represents not just his work, but the collective efforts of those he serves. He articulated a compelling vision for community organization as a means of restoring democracy in America, critiquing the current political landscape for reducing citizens to mere "managed electorates." Cortés called for a re-engagement in local politics, advocating for inclusive spaces for dialogue and compromise. His assertion that “when people with no status, no land, and no wealth learn to negotiate…that can transform communities” resonated deeply with the theme of democratic restoration.

Engage further with Cortés’s commitment to grassroots activism and community empowerment by reading more here.