Association of Social and Behavioral Scientists
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A Message from the President
The theme of this year’s meeting, ‘‘Community Action: Reviewed, Renewed, and Revitalized’’ is timely in calling attention to the continuing challenges and possibilities of refocusing social science research and teaching to the service of community and nation. In letter and spirit, the focus on the renewal and revitalization of community action is a fitting antidote to the inaction, alienation, and the paralysis of analysis that characterizes much of the routine in the behavioral and social sciences.
Not very long ago, the role of community action in empowering African American communities was one part of the civil rights and black power movements. Community action was viewed as necessary to improving the political, economic, social, and educational quality of life and enabling democratic participation. The most appropriate forms this community action should take were subject to controversy and continuing redefinition. The struggles and success of the persons and organizations involved in these community action initiatives should inspire, inform, and energize this conference.
More recently, the renewal of community action has accompanied several inner city business and empowerment zone initiatives, interdenominational economic and social justice campaigns, and education community control and "school choice" programs. While the renewal of community action has crossed the social boundaries of racial group, social class, and political party, the contemporary status of community action in African American communities is not generally known or appreciated. As social scientists, one of our intellectual roles centers on identifying the institutional contradictions, the organizational and community changes, and inter-group conflicts that have led to new forms of community action and assessing the successes and constraints of these efforts.
As ASBS President, I hope the Jackson, Mississippi meetings will provide each of you an intellectually stimulating, professionally collegial, and enjoyable experience. This year's program provides a diverse and engaging forum. Included in the program are numerous thematic sessions, professional workshops, student paper panels, and special sessions. The ASBS for the past sixty-five years has been a leader among African American scholars and is uniquely poised to build on this leadership as we enter the twenty-first century.
I must recognize the generous responsibility, expertise, energy, and dedication of Ms. Patricia McGill-Tillman, Local Arrangements Chairperson and Dr. Thomas Calhoun, 2000 Program Committee Chairperson. Through their combined efforts, there has been organized a range of scholarly activities that should provide ASBS members with the opportunity to explore the salient issues bearing on community action and enjoy the professional collegiality and hospitality.
Welcome to the sixty-fifth meeting of the Association of Social and Behavioral Scientists, Incorporated.
Frank Harold Wilson, Ph.D.
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
ASBS President, 1999-2000