The Campaign for Debt Relief
The problem of foreign debt is well-known to the majority of countries, yet it is especially hard for the less-industrialized economies. At some point after the Cold War ended, the support of the developing economies was canceled. Consequently, poor states have found themselves in the dead end where growing external debt limited the ability of the country to reduce poverty and satisfy basic human needs. While such organizations as IMF and World Bank tended to pursue their own interests, it was recognized that the current system makes the developing countries struggle for survival making the wealthy country even wealthier. In the result, the organizations like Oxfam International and several NGOs started to advocate for the debt relief and the increase of help for the poor nations (Cohen, de la Vega, and Watson 204).
Black Farmers’ Rights
Oppression of African Americans in the U.S. has a long and painful history. Even after the abolishment of slavery, the life of this population cluster was full of disappointment and violence. Jim Crow’s laws, Ku Klux Klan, racism, and inequalities were the major reasons why African Americans could not improve their economic situation. African American farmers rented land on vey unprofitable conditions and only after the series of protests, demonstrations, and marches made certain difference to the situation. In 1982 the Department of Agriculture was charged with the discrimination charges regarding the African American farmers (Cohen, de la Vega, and Watson 148). This episode launched the first advocacy campaign against the racial discrimination.
One of the organizations that made the biggest impact on the movement was the Federation of the Southern Cooperatives. The Federation implemented series of approaches to the problem of the African American farmers. For instance, it has developed a plan for the retention of the land, increased awareness about the issue among the general population, designed the system of loans for the farmers, and helped to win lawsuits against their oppressors (Grant, Wood, and Wright 5). The advocacy strategies used by Federation was to create coalitions and effective cooperation with the other organizations interested in helping the African American farmers. Thus, it cooperated with the U.S. government, NAACP, labor unions, and Rural Coalition in order to bring about the changes needed for the elimination of the racial discrimination and oppression of the less advantaged population regarding their ability to have their own land and improve their economic situation. Also, such methods, as rallies, demonstrations, and marches proved to be helpful instruments of advocacy as well.
Works Cited
Cohen, David, de la Vega, Rosa and Gabrielle Watson. Advocacy for Social Justice: A Global Action and Reflection Guide. Bloomfield, CT: Kumarian Press Inc, 2001.
Grant, Gary R., Spencer D. Wood, and Willie J. Wright. “Black Farmers United: The Struggle against Power and Principalities.” Journal of Pan African Studies 5.1 (2012): 3-14.
