|
November 30, 2001
"Chris Fitzsimon of the Common Sense Foundation"
An interview with Chris Fitzsimon, Executive Director of the Common Sense Foundation in Raleigh, NC, and a 2001 Leadership for a Changing World Finalist. Read Background. Leadership for a Changing World
Welcome to Leadership Talks. Today's guest is Chris Fitzsimon of the Common Sense Foundation in Raleigh, NC.
Chris, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Chris Fitzsimon
I grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina, the son of a retired labor organizer from Ireland. My mother was from Philadelphia and met my father when she was driving a trolley and he was working for the Transport Workers Union.
He was fired during the Red Scare of the 50s and held several jobs, the last of which was with the United Furniture Workers in Charlotte, where he retired. I went to public school and was dramatically affected by the landmark desegregation case that integrated Charlotte’s schools in 1971.
I majored in journalism at the University of North Carolina and was a television news reporter for nine years, covering primarily state government and politics. In 1991, I went to work as speechwriter and policy adviser for the Speaker of the North Carolina House Dan Blue, who at the time was one of only two African-Americans in America elected to that post, and the first in North Carolina history.
I grew increasingly frustrated at the lack of input from working people and grassroots groups into the policy debate and the complete absence of any research and analysis on state issues from the progressive point of view. I left my job with the Speaker in 1994 to start the Common Sense Foundation, where I work today.
Washington, DC
What brought you to social justice work? What were your influences?
Chris Fitzsimon
I am in social justice work for several reasons. I would do this work anyway if I had another job, if I were an accountant or a computer programmer. I suppose it comes from my father, growing up being afraid to tell my friends’ parents that my father was in the union, and from being startled as an 11-year-old to the reaction of people in my community to the integration of schools. It also feels like something I have to do, to use whatever skills and knowledge I have acquired to help other folks who struggle to survive, pay the rent, see a doctor, etc.
I am angry everyday, living in a state where so many people face so many struggles that could be addressed if more than a few people and interests truly had a say in state policy.
Pottstown PA
I see that you are membership based. How many members do you have and is this a large portion of your funding base?
Chris Fitzsimon
We do consider ourselves membership based, in that the majority of our support comes from individuals. And those amounts range from $5 to more than $1,000.
We have made a decision not to rely on foundation funding, and 75 to 85 percent of our budget comes from individuals.
Vancouver, Washington
What did you find was the biggest obstacle to establishing the legitimacy of your foundation?
Chris Fitzsimon
The biggest obstacle is convincing people on our side that there is legitimacy in policy work, that there is a place for passionate, uncompromising research and commentary and analysis on issues that are vitally important to the working people and the poor.
There is an unfortunate contradiction on the left between fighting for change that improves peoples’ lives in every effective way -- grassroots and policy -- and the core belief that the only valid road is through community organizing. We desperately need both.
The legitimacy was a battle with foes and friends alike. That's a very important point.
Salt Lake City, UT
About gender, power, and delivering messages effectively... Do you see differences in how women send and receive political messages? Are there gender-related pitfalls to be avoided by women and by men?
Chris Fitzsimon
Messages are definitely received differently from women by people who are in power. I think there is an ongoing tension about when to challenge the communication process itself and when to focus more clearly on the issue that the communication is addressing. Both are essential and I think both speak to the lack of enough powerful female voices in our current policy debate.
Savannah, GA
How has 9/11 and the threat of future terrorist attacks affected your work? Especially, around your dealth penalty work.
Chris Fitzsimon
I think initially it made talking about the issue obviously more difficult. But I believe ultimately it is an opportunity to reaffirm not only our right but our obligation as Americans to speak out for human rights, including the abolition of the death penalty.
Our focus in that regard has been to somehow redirect or expand the swell of patriotism to a realization that the flag and other symbols are based on fundamental guarantees in our society that our current capital punishment systems highlights in the most horrific way.
ANONYMOUS
If the death penalty is abolished, don't you think we will be promoting murder? What can be the nearest equivalent punishment to the murderers?
Chris Fitzsimon
I would argue the exact opposite. Intentionally taking another life and creating another family who has had someone intentionally killed only perpetuates violence. And we cannot kill to show that killing is wrong.
I think life in prison is a very severe punishment and is now the sentence that is given to people convicted of murder in most other countries in the Western world.
Finally, no one now believes that executions are a deterrent; neither are they cheaper for the state. And there are an increasing number of murder victims' family members who find they do not bring the closure that they are promised.
Chapel Hill, N.C.
How have you been able to galvanize the community to be more aware and take action on issues involving school reform, the dealth penalty, affirmative action, HIV, etc. ?
I personally applaud your work!
Chris Fitzsimon
I think the most important aspect of galvanizing folks around those issues is presenting them with information, history, and context that neither the current political establishment or mainstream media have, for a variety of reasons, not presented.
And, even more importantly, we try very hard to show individuals and organizations how the majority of these issues are directly related to the concentration of wealth and power in our state.
Miami
I would like to follow up on Vancouver question. I have been very frustrated and stymied by this debate about policy change work and organizing. What strategies did you use that may have opened the eyes of organizers to the benefits of collaborating, or at least not undermining, the policy change work? Have you run into problems in working with the same community constituents and competition for their time and attention? If so, how did you deal with that?
Chris Fitzsimon
First, it's important to make sure organizer -- and remember, I'm the son of one -- understand that our roles are complementary, not confrontational or even adversarial.
Secondly, I think part of the reluctance of many organizers and community leaders to be accepting of coalitions and with policy organizations are understandable given the tendency of many policy groups to fall into the compromising swirl of the politically well-connected.
We have worked hard in two ways to counter these hurdles. One, we are absolutely committed not only to speaking in the policy arena but to training and empowering others to speak for themselves. And, just as importantly, we are absolute in our commitment not to compromise our core values or policy positions, and will leave that to the politicians.
It takes a while to build that credibility in the grassroots community, and it is a relationship that needs constant attention. We will never achieve fundamental social change unless we have committed, uncompromising people in neighborhoods and at the statehouse.
Providence, RI
Can you talk more about your decision not to rely on foundation funding?
Chris Fitzsimon
With some exceptions, we have found that few foundations that fund state-level work are comfortable with our political philosophy. And in North Carolina, many foundations' boards have as members CEO's and other executives who we perceive as part of the problem. And they are aware of our perception.
One friend of mine told me once that you cannot expect people to finance their own overthrow. So we have chosen instead to support our core work with the contributions of literally hundreds and thousands of people across North Carolina, and use foundation money primarily for special projects.
NYC
Two related questions:
How do you find partner organizations to work with?
What is the process you use to identify the policy areas on which to focus?
Chris Fitzsimon
We find organizations to work with that have a need for policy analysis or research or training, and obviously whose views are similar to ours. There are a lot of single-issue organizations that match that description, and oftentimes those organizations come to us.
As for how we decide on issues, there are several criteria. One is that it is an issue that is being largely ignored by the policy establishment but affects quality of life for people left out or locked out of our policy debate.
Secondly, it might be an issue that is widely discussed but only in the very narrow spectrum that defines the public discourse that remains so dominated by a handful of interests.
Thirdly, we choose issues that speak to our fundamental mission to challenge the way decisions are made that affect people's lives.
Chapel Hill
Has the Common Sense Foundation made much use of the Internet for its advocacy work?
Chris Fitzsimon
Yes. Though I think it's important to be clear that the Internet is a tool to reach other advocates in the policy world and has yet not developed because of our economic system into a tool to reach the working class in North Carolina.
But we not only have a Web site, we send out weekly e-mail updates and analyses about the State to several thousand people, including State lawmakers -- updates which generally provoke heated, if not nasty, responses.
Los Angeles, CA
Can you give an example or two of program accomplishments?
Chris Fitzsimon
Our success is hard to measure but there is little question that we have helped dramatically change the debate on corporate welfare and the death penalty in North Carolina. Both issues are now hotly debated and slowly legislators are beginning to change their mind on both.
Our most tangible success might be the increase a few years ago in AIDS funding. No one was writing about the issue and the epidemic is still very real in North Carolina. After pounding on the Administration for years, AIDS programs finally received more funds and we were told that the Governor’s folks were tired of us pointing out how they were ignoring a problem that was literally a matter of life or death, so they funded the programs.
Baton Rouge
Having just completed 12 years as deputy mayor of the City of Baton Rouge, I am interested in starting a similar alliance in the Deep South. Two questions: Have you considered chapter affiliations in separate regions of the country? Could you direct me to resources to springboard efforts such as ours?
Chris Fitzsimon
First, I would say congratulations on your decision. And we are actually spending a little bit of time this winter trying to figure out the best way to network with or help folks in other states with similar ideas and goals.
Unfortunately, I think our side is still behind on coming to grips with the devolution of decisions to the state capitols from Washington. So there really is no formula yet on how to proceed.
I would like to talk to you further about your plans, and I can suggest some places, at least for guidance, as you begin.
My contact information will be posted at the end of the discussion.
Brattleboro, Vermont
How do you address local problems that need to be addressed at national policy levels rather than state level? Do you have any experience with international policy level issues (e.g., NAFTA, FTAA, etc.) that impact poor communities in North Carolina, the rest of the U.S., but also other countries?
Chris Fitzsimon
We certainly hold forums and provide information as we can on any issue that affects people's lives in North Carolina. Our state has been particularly hard hit by NAFTA, and by our reliance in some areas on traditional industries, such as textiles and furniture.
Ultimately, our work on national and international issues is done primarily through helping communities and organizations with media and advocacy advice and resources at the federal level. The same skills are needed to change policy, no matter what level. And I would argue that state governments play a much larger role in helping workers who are the victims of the free trade mania.
Rockville, MD
Can you give some tips on how to work more effectively with the media and policy makers?
Chris Fitzsimon
Most importantly, you have to understand how each system works and not be afraid to confront and enter those worlds.
Secondly, I think it's important to establish credibility not based on your philosophy, which they generally will not appreciate, but with your accuracy and passion and understanding of how each system operates, down to details like deadlines and what television reporters need versus newspaper reporters.
Finally, as much as I share cynicism and even disgust at the way television in particular handles public policy issues, I do believe that we have an opportunity to use that medium to reach people who otherwise never hear our message.
Madison, WI
Chris, how do you sustain yourself personally? What do you do to prevent burnout?
Chris Fitzsimon
I am sustained by meeting and knowing people whose valiant efforts to survive inspire me everyday. I am sustained by knowing that this work we do is vital and making a difference, despite the constant struggle against two foes: the powerful who don’t want to relinquish power and some of our allies, who feel ambivalent about taking on the status quo in confrontational ways. We are a policy group that does not accept compromise on core issues, like health care, tax fairness, the death penalty, etc. That is for the politicians to do.
Arlington, VA
Can you give me a synopsis of your report on N.C.'s troubling education school reform?
And how does this compare with other states?
Chris Fitzsimon
North Carolina, like many other states, has fallen head over heels in love with standardized, high-stakes testing of public schools, and our report shows clearly not only that the tests are inappropriate and poorly designed but are now being used to retain children -- that is, fail them -- even though state officials admit they are not adequately funding remediation programs for students they know are struggling. Instead, they have chosen to fail them and, according to all education research, dramatically increase chances that those students will eventually drop out of school.
Just like so many other policy issues, lofty rhetoric is hiding devasting policy. And the people hurt are the people usually hurt -- children of color and children from poor families.
Leadership for a Changing World
And can you tell us what your role has been in this?
Chris Fitzsimon
We have conducted an in-depth statistical analysis of our testing program, and have published a parents' guide to highstakes testing in North Carolina. And this past year, we launched the Common Sense Commission on Fair Testing, made up of parents, teachers, and community leaders, which held hearings across North Carolina to listen to concerns and stories of families affected by this misguided policy.
Leadership for a Changing World
That's all the time we have for today. Thanks to Chris Fitzsimon for joining us today. For more information on the Common Sense Foundation:
Common Sense Foundation
P.O. Box 10808
Raleigh, NC 27605-0808
Phone: (919) 821-9270
Fax: (919) 821-3669
E-mail: chris@common-sense.org
http://www.common-sense.org
Thank you for joining us, please check back for future Leadership Talks.
Chris Fitzsimon
|
