$25.00


Paperback with black and white photos and color illustrations

Rising Up Angry

Expanded Second Edition

Text: Michael Gaylord James and Rising Up Angry Alumni

Photographs: Michael James, Al Koss, Linn H. Ehrlich, Nancy Hollander, Gayle Markow, Fran Ansley, Diane Fager, Aaron Fagen, Melva Fager

Cover Art: Original masthead Lester Dore and fist by Frank Cieciorka

Design: David Libman

A joint publication of Charles H. Kerr Publishing and Prairie Dancer Press

ISBN 978-0-88286-029-9

Between 1969 and 1975, Rising Up Angry produced one of Chicago’s underground press newspapers, operated a free health clinic, delivered free legal services, held people’s dances and sports events, protested against the Vietnam War, and worked with active and returning GIs.

The group’s female members participated in the founding of the Chicago Women’s Liberation Union and the group allied with the Young Lords Organization, the Black Panther Party, and the Young Patriots in a multiracial, grassroots Rainbow Coalition.

In addition to organizing in Chicago’s working class communities to tackle issues like slum housing, members also made a short film, Trick Bag (1974) that interviewed young people about their experiences with racism. Under the slogan, “To Love We Must Fight,” Rising Up Angry was a vibrant cry for justice and equity in an era when youthful radicals sought to change the world. This sharing of RUA has lessons and inspiration for today.

—Euan Hague, Ph.D.,
Director, School of Public Service, DePaul University

For the founders and leaders of Rising Up Angry—most now approaching or in their 80’s—it’s time to share some memories and spread the word about the organization we built. RUA touched many lives and was a meaningful foundation for the paths many of its members followed. . . .

Here is a truly collective effort, in the spirit of RUA, that brings together in photos and words the history of our fight for the best possible world.

We are heartened by the ongoing and growing number of people who are organizing for change. It’s our desire that by sharing our experiences . . . we will bring a measure of hope and inspiration to today’s organizers and activists.

Onward together, and All Power to the People!

—Michael Gaylord James