"ACORN Under the Microscope" -- Huffington Post

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From: "Peter Dreier" <dreier at oxy.edu>


Friends and Colleagues:
 
In our article today's HuffingtonPost, "ACORN Under the Microscope,"  
John Atlas and I examine the current controversy surrounding ACORN, the 
country's largest and most successful progressive community organizing 
group. 
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/peter-dreier/acorn-under-the-microscop_b_112491.html  
Last week the New York Times reported that 8 years ago ACORN's chief 
financial officer embezzled almost $1 million from the organization, but 
that top staff agreed to keep it secret. ACORN put new financial 
controls in place and the money has now been repaid.  Even so, covering 
up the embezzlement revealed poor judgement.  Now that the story has 
leaked, ACORN's allies and  funders are understandably upset by this 
episode. Most have already indicated their willingness to continue to 
support ACORN, but with more scrutiny over its finances. ACORN has 
chapters in 103 cities in 38 states and has played a key role in winning 
victories for low-income people on such issues as living wages, 
predatory lending, affordable housing, voting rights, public schools, 
health care, and welfare reform. In its 38-year history, ACORN has 
accumulated many enemies among corporations and conservative politicians 
with whom it has done battle. These opponents, along with right-wing 
media, are happy to use the current scandal to try to weaken ACORN and 
undermine its reputation and political influence. ACORN is now 
reorganizing its leadership and management structure, a process that is 
certainly painful many of its veteran leaders and staff.  Our article 
puts this controversy in the larger context, exploring whether this 
self-inflicted wound will do irreparable harm or will help strengthen 
the organization in the long run.
 
Peter Dreier
 
_____________________________________
Peter Dreier
Dr. E.P. Clapp Distinguished Professor of Politics
Chair, Urban & Environmental Policy Program
Occidental College
1600 Campus Road
Los Angeles, CA 90041
Phone: (323) 259-2913
FAX: (323) 259-2734
Website: http://employees.oxy.edu/dreier
 
"The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who in times of great 
moral crises maintain their neutrality" - Dante