Grassroots organizations seek to enact changes by starting from the bottom-up, from the community level. Although grassroots organization itself is a generic term and can be often disputed, they are generally located in neighborhoods that are looking to create change. Many of these organizations are initiated by members that are directly impacted by the problem in  which they want to fix. They have the knowledge and the know-how to start an organization based on their experiences.

In reply to the growing problem of bullying in the United States school systems’, particularly in urban schools, there has been a number of grassroots organizations that have been started. In fact, the issue has become so publicized and discussed around the country, that it has now become a national issue. As a result, there have been multiple national organizations created out of this discourse and President Obama also made it clear that it was a problem he wanted to confront. Although bullying is not new to the nation nor does it lack organizational presence, the community level has many organizations that are often overlooked. They too are doing very good work and I am hoping to highlight some of them for you.

These organizations span across the country, from New York City to Chicago. In many ways, there has been success achieved by them. For example, Speak Out Against Bullying in Los Angeles has done work that has been honored by multiple organizations and public service members (SpeakOutAgainstBullying.org). It is impressive to see grassroots organizing making positive changes, giving voices to the people that have become powerless through bullying.

As grassroots organizing moves forward, there will be many stiff obstacles in the way. For community organizers, often times the problem will be in the shape of politics and money. Funding can always seek ways to blockade a grassroots organization from progressing, and the lack of political support from local elected officials can stifle any advancement towards meaningful and lasting change from the status quo.