Ripe to Fight Back

Hello Momas,

            My name is Marlene L. Grant , raised in NYC on welfare with twin daughters alone at the age of 15.  Child birth NOT CHOSEN! Motherhood is a gift not to be taken lightly.  Children are grown now and out of my life. 

As an elder (social activist all my life) I find myself in a strange new world in the south.  Came to help a dying cousin. Never left after seeing the poverty level worst than the North can imagine. 

            I wish to become active, because there is no grassroots movement here in Augusta, GA.  Just religion and politics.  Two things I have stayed away from all my life. 

            I live in a senior apartment complex (the senior prison). I acquired your paper from a rally in Atlanta given by “Spooky to be hunger coalition”. Trip was free.  Never heard of Community shares. (Ed. Note: Community Shares is a Workplace Giving Campaign in the Greater Milwaukee area. Welfare Warriors is a member.)

            My rent is zero and utilities are $3.00 a month.  Only receive food stamps.  I have to struggle for non-food items.

            Survival is due to being blessed.  My lovers are Grace and Mercy!  I wish to see an end the war on the poor worldwide.  Is there a way for you to help me raise the awareness of people on TANF down here?  I call myself  the September 7^th movement - my Birthday date.  People are ripe to fight back and not sure they are ready.  I can help and am willing to put my life on the line.  I have nothing to loose.  Being blacklisted and profiled keeps me in a fighting mood and healthy, 

            I refuse to give up.  Any suggestions, advice, monies, material, will help myself and others. 

            Your paper will be of great help to a cousin I met that just went to jail.

            A bundle will help raise the idea that my grassroots organizations can be a reality and start people to wake up, come to meetings, or tell her story.  Help them to become the warriors that they are and just don’t realize it yet.

            Reading your paper made me write you this letter. And I don’t or did not like writing.  It has helped me change the way I see things down here, what I am capable of doing and what needs to be done…by any means necessary. 

            Referral to any active organization you know of in Augusta, GA or people that are progressive enough to put their life on the line for progress are the ones I need to know and meet. Peace and Love after Justice.

Marlene L. Grant
Augusta, GA

P.S. There is no black newspaper for the people here in Augusta, GA! Help! Please help me make a change. Free pone expected soon—they said 7-10 days.

 Editor’s Response: We will gladly send you a bundle of 50 copies of MWV. To reach more people in your area, you could place a note inside with your contact information.  Or you could just write on the paper itself a note like “Ready to fight Back? Come to a start up meeting at ___________”  Or “Call Marlene at ____.”  We can also send out an organizing packet with ideas and examples to help you get started.