Speaking and Organizing across Difference: The Multiracial, Grassroots Mobilization of Child Care Workers

Abstract

The article explores the effectiveness and challenges of multiracial, grassroots coalitions as tools for mobilizing child care workers—in particular when a predominantly white organization of child care center teachers seeks to work in coalition with family child care providers in communities of color. Using participatory action research, child care activists identified common employment concerns among workers, recruited members, and identified indigenous leaders. From this base, community members successfully organized a grassroots, multiracial organization committed to increasing the wages and benefits of family child care providers. While forming the organization proved initially successful, facilitating ongoing leadership development and activism among members proved more difficult. These challenges emerged as white participants sought to support the autonomy and leadership of women of color, but were unable to overtly address race and status differences.