Mural on wood. Supporting social justice struggles can come in many forms, and is not restricted to actions like joining the picket line. In contrast to images of low-income people as helpless, artists like Jim Dong depicted them in powerful ways. In this image, an International Hotel tenant seizes the wrecking ball that would tear down his home, like activist Beverly Kordziel, who sought to seize the initiative to fight off eviction itself (see text below).
Mural by Jim Dong.

To Be Part of the People

By Beverly Kordziel

During this time [1970s] the [low-income senior] tenants were fighting their eviction from the International Hotel in San Francisco. The International Hotel Collective was composed of students who were working at the hotel, and its younger tenants. The International Hotel collective first began their meetings in a single, unfurnished room with people sitting on the floor to talk. As our numbers expanded, we moved into a double room which students furnished with a long table and chairs. Meeting as the International Hotel collective, we would plan and organize social and political events and discuss the everyday operations of the hotel. We were really dedicated to the success of the tenant's struggle against eviction.

The overall hotel experience goes with me everywhere I go. The fundraising and donation-procuring ability I learned, knowing the strength of a people in the face of strong opposition and the unity built from working together are the elements and the framework through which I view any activity -- on which I might work today.

[01 Transforming Ourselves]     [02 Not Without Struggle]     [03 Serve the People]
[04 Listening to the Small Voice]     [05 The Big Picture]     [06 Revolution]
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