"Giridharadas calls on people to join organizations, membership lists and movements that work toward building cross-racial, cross-class coalitions of people — w

"Giridharadas calls on people to join organizations, membership lists and movements that work toward building cross-racial, cross-class coalitions of people — with a goal to create a future that benefits most people." Thinking for just a few minutes, there are so many facets and nuances to the issue of improving the world for others that the above sentence is a complete throw-away. One could get involved and sign up, but as the article already points out, how to know if the group you are joining is doing good or doing more harm? Did you join a group of virtue signallers or will you roll up your sleeves for Habitat for Humanity, or Doctors without Borders? A couple of notions: - How do you know if your effort is more like bailing water from a sinking ship, or, towing the ship into dry dock for repair? Maybe you have to bail at the same time you're towing. - What is the actual goal? To ensure that people are able to eat today? Are you trying to right a wrong, like human trafficking or environmental crimes? Are you trying to create a level playing field so people are able to go as far as their determination will take them? If you want a level playing field, what system are you modeling? The desire to do something is invaluable. I'd suggest two things: 1) keep it close to home. The farther the served are from you the harder it will be to see the results. If your aspirations are far from you, make it a goal to get there and see first hand what you're trying to aid, at least once. 2) Make it something where you can directly observe the results and know that your efforts are having a positive effect overall.