Building movements, here at home.
So often, people equate building movements with urban centers. But We Are Down Home organizes in small towns, backroads, and in country places because its were we are from and it’s where we want to stay.
Rural communities are impacted by the same hardships you find elsewhere: Poverty, low wages, underfunded schools, etc — but we have additional hurdles to overcome.
Not only are we often spread out physically, but our towns are frequently run by “Good Ol’ Boy” networks that try to shut people out. That’s why we think its important to organize where we live and take on the unique challenges of those places.
Statewide and Local Issues Impacting Poor and Working Folks
Healthcare for All
One of the most common concerns we hear from our neighbors is that they can’t afford to go to the doctor. That’s not right. Everyone should be able to get medical care without going bankrupt. Our health is interconnected and that when we help one person get healthy, we are all healthier.
Workers Dignity and Rights
People in our communities are hard workers. But when you work hard, you should get a decent wage and be safe at your job. All North Carolinian’s deserve a living wage and collective bargaining rights, just like they deserve to come home safe from work every night.
Stop Criminalizing the Poor
In our towns, the heavy-handed response of the “justice system” falls disproportionately on poor people. Too often, local county officials see policing and incarceration as a revenue stream, hurting local residents along the way. We organize for bail reform and other measures that help people instead of hurt them.
Local Town and County Issues
Local We Are Down Home chapters address local issues that need attention or change. Each chapter determines their own work in this way, informed by their conversations with neighbors from across their county. Get in touch with your local chapter to find out what’s happening in your neck of the woods.
At the end of the day, we want to build rural communities that are safe, healthy, and strong. We hope you will help us get there.