2018 CIIP Program Book CIIP Booklet 2018 | Page 50

United Workers (UW) follows an organizing praxis based on a set of values: universality, equity,
participation, transparency, and accountability. These words are not meaningless platitudes; they
are demands. United Workers’ is demanding that fair development in Baltimore City be universal,
equitable, participatory, transparent, and accountable. But, UW does not limit the targets of these
demands to affordable housing stakeholders in Baltimore City. They ask universality, equity, par-
ticipation, transparency, and accountability of themselves. As an intern, I saw firsthand how these
values interrogated every aspect of UW’s organizing.
Universality: Organizing should benefit all and alienate none. When I joined UW, I was apprehen-
sive. I am a non-Baltimore native with socioeconomic privilege, an outsider to fair development
organizing. Thankfully, my fears were short-lived. Though I am an outsider, I was not treated like
one. When I joined United Workers, I joined a team, quite literally. I became a member of the
canvassing team and the Action-Planning Team.
Equity: Organizing spaces must be shared equitably. In spite of UW’s inclusivity, I will always be an
outsider. I was reminded of that fact every week, especially while canvassing. I was a Johns Hop-
kins student petitioning against unjust developers like Johns Hopkins. While my privilege meant
that I could never lead an affordable housing movement, it reinforced my resolve to become an
effective ally.
Participation: Organizing decisions involving community issues require community participation.
UW taught me how to be a leader. Attending weekly strategy meetings, I observed talented
organizers galvanize a non-air-conditioned room on a weekday night. I watched how they gently
steered each attendee towards the campaign’s goals without dominating the space. Because they
were silent leaders, everyone was included in the conversation.
Transparency: Or