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{{Short description|American think tank}}
{{One source|date=November 2010}}
{{Primary sources|date=January 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox organization {{Infobox organization
| name = Political Research Associates
| logo = Political Research Associates (logo).png | logo = Political Research Associates (logo).png
| founded_date = {{start date and age|1981}} (as Midwest Research, Chicago)<br>{{start date|1987}} (as PRA) | founded_date = {{start date and age|1981}} (as Midwest Research, Chicago)<br>{{start date|1987}} (as PRA)
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'''Political Research Associates''' ('''PRA'''), formerly '''Midwest Research, Chicago''' (1981–87) is a non-profit research group located in ]. PRA defines its area of mission as providing skeptical coverage of the “U.S. Right,” which in practice means a disingenuously broad spectrum that can range from a report regarding the peaceful mainstream policy work of the ] ]<ref>{{cite web |title=“Charles Koch, the Cato Institute, and the Makings of a Right-Wing Empire.” |url=https://www.politicalresearch.org/resources/magazine/ |publisher=The Public Eye. Summer 2017 |access-date=November 5, 2018}}</ref> to an analysis of the connections between the ], ], and ]<ref>{{cite web |last1=DiBranco |first1=Ale |title=“The Incel Rebellion: Movement Misogyny Delivers Another Massacre.” |url=http://feature.politicalresearch.org/the-incel-rebellion |publisher=The Public Eye. Spring 2018. |access-date=November 4, 2018}}</ref>. '''Political Research Associates''' ('''PRA'''), formerly '''Midwest Research, Chicago''' (1981–87), is a non-profit research group focused on social justice and the pursuit of building a just democracy.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mission & History |url=https://politicalresearch.org/about/mission-history |website=Political Research Associates |publisher=Political Research Associates |access-date=12 June 2024}}</ref> The PRA is located in ].


==Mission== ==Mission==
PRA studies the U.S. political ], as well as ], and ] organizations. It has a full-time staff of six. The Executive Director is Tarso Luis Ramos. ] was the founder and director from 1981 to 2004. ] was the group's senior analyst from 1981&ndash;2011. Peggy Shinner (a poet) was the first archivist. PRA studies the U.S. political ], as well as ], and ] organizations. It has a full-time staff of six. The Executive Director is Tarso Luis Ramos. ] was the founder and director from 1981 to 2004. ] was the group's senior analyst from 1981&ndash;2011. Peggy Shinner (a poet) was the first archivist.


PRA publishes a journal, '']'', quarterly, which reports on specific and current movements or trends within the U.S. political Right, and also produces special reports, past examples of which include "Calculated Compassion: How the Ex-Gay Movement Serves the Right's Attacks on Democracy,"<ref>{{cite web|last=Khan|first=Surina|title=Calculated Compassion|url=http://www.publiceye.org/equality/x-gay/Calculated_Compassion_TOC.html|publisher=Political Research Associates|access-date=2011}}</ref> authored by former PRA research analyst, Surina Khan," which details attacks on ]s and ]s, and "Decades of Distortion," which alleged ]ing of welfare recipients.<ref name="about"></ref> PRA publishes a journal, '']'', quarterly, which reports on specific and current movements or trends within the U.S. political Right, and also produces special reports, past examples of which include "Calculated Compassion: How the Ex-Gay Movement Serves the Right's Attacks on Democracy,"<ref>{{cite web |last=Khan|first=Surina|title=Calculated Compassion |url=http://www.publiceye.org/equality/x-gay/Calculated_Compassion_TOC.html |publisher=Political Research Associates|access-date=February 26, 2011}}</ref> authored by former PRA research analyst, Surina Khan, which details attacks on ]s and ]s, and "Decades of Distortion," which alleged ]ing of welfare recipients.<ref name="about"></ref>


The group provides public speakers, and has staff on hand to answer queries from journalists, researchers, and activists. Its annual funding of approximately $700,000 per year comes from foundation grants, individual contributions, and the sale of research materials. Expenditures are directed toward staffing, general & administrative expenses, programs and fundraising.<ref> See page 16</ref> Among its major donors are the ] and the ]. The group provides public speakers, and has staff on hand to answer queries from journalists, researchers, and activists. Its annual funding of approximately $700,000 per year comes from foundation grants, individual contributions, and the sale of research materials. Expenditures are directed toward staffing, general & administrative expenses, programs and fundraising.<ref> See page 16</ref> Among its major donors are the ] and the ].


PRA is supported by a number of ] and ] activists, including Anne Braden of the ], and Suzanne Pharr of the ]. Pharr has written that PRA "sets the standard for researchers and political analysts of integrity," and describes the group's research as "thorough, thoughtful, carefully researched, and presented within a broad context of understanding of the complex relationships and activities of the Right." <ref name="about" /> PRA is supported by a number of ] and ] activists, including Anne Braden of the ], and ] of the ]. Pharr has written that PRA "sets the standard for researchers and political analysts of integrity," and describes the group's research as "thorough, thoughtful, carefully researched, and presented within a broad context of understanding of the complex relationships and activities of the Right."<ref name="about" />


==Founding and Early History== ==Founding and early history==
What is now ] in Massachusetts began as a small progressive Chicago think tank called "Midwest Research" The organization was founded by Jean V. Hardisty, Ph.D. A professor of history. Hardisty had been hired by the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois to conduct research on the rise of the anti-feminist and anti-abortion movements. She wrote her report for the ACLU, and then left academia to devote herself full time to defending democracy and human rights against organized attacks by right wing groups and movements. What is now Political Research Associates in Massachusetts began as a small progressive ] think tank called '''Midwest Research'''. The organization was founded by ], a professor of history. Hardisty had been hired by the ] of ] to conduct research on the rise of the anti-feminist and ]. She wrote her report for the ACLU, and then left academia to devote herself full time to defending democracy and human rights against organized attacks by right wing groups and movements.{{cn|date=March 2021}}


The first two people hired by Dr. Hardisty were ], a poet and writer, and ], a journalist and photographer. The first two people hired by Dr. Hardisty were ], a poet and writer, and ], a journalist and photographer.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tribute to Jean Hardisty |url=https://politicalresearch.org/about/tribute-jean-hardisty |access-date=2022-05-09 |website=Political Research Associates |language=en}}</ref>


When Hardisty was diagnosed with Non-Hodgins Lymphoma, she was referred to a medical center in Boston. Shinner chose to stay in Chicago with her partner. However ] and his spouse moved to the Boston area with their young child. After a few examinations in Boston, Hardisty was told her best treatment would be received in Oklahoma. She left the organization she founded in the hands of her staff. She later returned to resume her leadership position. When Hardisty was diagnosed with ], she was referred to a medical center in ]. Shinner chose to stay in Chicago with her partner. However, ] and his spouse moved to the Boston area. After a few examinations in Boston, Hardisty was told her best treatment would be received in ]. She left the organization she founded in the hands of her staff. She later returned to resume her leadership position.{{cn|date=March 2021}}


The year 1994 saw a rising wave of violence against persons in (or even suspected of being supportive of) LGBTQ communities. Dr. Hardisty contacted nationally-known organizers and strategists ] and ] and raised funds for a national strategy meeting at the Blue Mountain Center in the Adirondacks in upstate New York. What emerged was "A Call to Defend Democracy and Pluralism." The year 1994 saw a rising wave of violence against persons in (or even suspected of being supportive of) ] communities. Hardisty contacted nationally-known organizers and strategists ] and ] and raised funds for a national strategy meeting at the ] in the ]. What emerged was "A Call to Defend Democracy and Pluralism", November 17, 1994.{{cn|date=March 2021}}
November 17, 1994.


Hardisty testified as an expert witness in the court fight over Colorado’s Amendment 2, described by human rights groups as "homophobic". She was accompanied by staff member Chip Berlet and numerous boxes of documents prepared for submission as evidence in the case. The case defending Amendment Two quickly collapsed. Hardisty testified as an expert witness in the ] over ], described by human rights groups as "homophobic". She was accompanied by staff member Chip Berlet and numerous boxes of documents prepared for submission as evidence in the case. The case defending Amendment Two quickly collapsed.{{cn|date=March 2021}}


Hardisty is listed in the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame. <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://chicagolgbthalloffame.org/hardisty-jean/|title=JEAN V. HARDISTY|website=The Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame|access-date=March 17, 2021}}</ref> Hardisty is listed in the ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://chicagolgbthalloffame.org/hardisty-jean/|title=JEAN V. HARDISTY|website=The Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame|access-date=March 17, 2021}}</ref>


==See also== == See also ==
* '']'', a 1987 report by ]. * '']'', a 1987 report by ].
* ], a ] watchdog that criticizes and monitors ] (especially ] & ]).


==References== ==References==
⚫ {{Reflist}}
* Mantilla, Karla. “Report says right wing is full of shit.” ], Vol. 28, No. 4, p.&nbsp;3. * Mantilla, Karla. “Report says right wing is full of shit.” ], Vol. 28, No. 4, p.&nbsp;3.
* Davis-Cohen, Simon. “Sheriffs Collude with Anti-Immigrant Group.” ], Vol. 83, No. 4, August 2019, pp.&nbsp;23–24. * Davis-Cohen, Simon. “Sheriffs Collude with Anti-Immigrant Group.” ], Vol. 83, No. 4, August 2019, pp.&nbsp;23–24.


⚫ == External links ==
⚫ {{Reflist}}

==Further reading==

===On the founder, Jean V. Hardisty===
http://chicagolgbthalloffame.org/hardisty-jean/

https://www.wcwonline.org/Search?categoryFilter=&searchphrase=all&searchword=hardisty

Obituaries and Tributes to Jean V. Hardisty
https://patch.com/massachusetts/somerville/obituary-jean-hardisty-69-somerville-0

⚫ ==External links==
* - The Website of Political Research Associates * - The Website of Political Research Associates


Latest revision as of 23:22, 12 June 2024

American think tank
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Political Research Associates
Founded1981; 43 years ago (1981) (as Midwest Research, Chicago)
1987 (1987) (as PRA)
FounderJean V. Hardisty
TypeTax exempt non-profit organization
FocusStudying the U.S. political right
Location
Area served Worldwide
Key peopleChip Berlet, Jean Hardisty Peggy Shinner, Tarso Luís Ramos, Pam Chamberlain, Surina Khan
Revenue$700,000
Websitewww.politicalresearch.org

Political Research Associates (PRA), formerly Midwest Research, Chicago (1981–87), is a non-profit research group focused on social justice and the pursuit of building a just democracy. The PRA is located in Somerville, Massachusetts.

Mission

PRA studies the U.S. political right wing, as well as white supremacists, and paramilitary organizations. It has a full-time staff of six. The Executive Director is Tarso Luis Ramos. Dr. Jean V. Hardisty was the founder and director from 1981 to 2004. Chip Berlet was the group's senior analyst from 1981–2011. Peggy Shinner (a poet) was the first archivist.

PRA publishes a journal, The Public Eye, quarterly, which reports on specific and current movements or trends within the U.S. political Right, and also produces special reports, past examples of which include "Calculated Compassion: How the Ex-Gay Movement Serves the Right's Attacks on Democracy," authored by former PRA research analyst, Surina Khan, which details attacks on gays and lesbians, and "Decades of Distortion," which alleged scapegoating of welfare recipients.

The group provides public speakers, and has staff on hand to answer queries from journalists, researchers, and activists. Its annual funding of approximately $700,000 per year comes from foundation grants, individual contributions, and the sale of research materials. Expenditures are directed toward staffing, general & administrative expenses, programs and fundraising. Among its major donors are the Public Welfare Foundation and the Ford Foundation.

PRA is supported by a number of progressive and liberal activists, including Anne Braden of the Southern Organizing Committee, and Suzanne Pharr of the Highlander Research Center. Pharr has written that PRA "sets the standard for researchers and political analysts of integrity," and describes the group's research as "thorough, thoughtful, carefully researched, and presented within a broad context of understanding of the complex relationships and activities of the Right."

Founding and early history

What is now Political Research Associates in Massachusetts began as a small progressive Chicago think tank called Midwest Research. The organization was founded by Jean V. Hardisty, a professor of history. Hardisty had been hired by the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois to conduct research on the rise of the anti-feminist and anti-abortion movements. She wrote her report for the ACLU, and then left academia to devote herself full time to defending democracy and human rights against organized attacks by right wing groups and movements.

The first two people hired by Dr. Hardisty were Peggy Shinner, a poet and writer, and Chip Berlet, a journalist and photographer.

When Hardisty was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, she was referred to a medical center in Boston. Shinner chose to stay in Chicago with her partner. However, Chip Berlet and his spouse moved to the Boston area. After a few examinations in Boston, Hardisty was told her best treatment would be received in Oklahoma. She left the organization she founded in the hands of her staff. She later returned to resume her leadership position.

The year 1994 saw a rising wave of violence against persons in (or even suspected of being supportive of) LGBTQ communities. Hardisty contacted nationally-known organizers and strategists Suzanne Pharr and Loretta Ross and raised funds for a national strategy meeting at the Blue Mountain Center in the Adirondacks. What emerged was "A Call to Defend Democracy and Pluralism", November 17, 1994.

Hardisty testified as an expert witness in the court fight over Colorado’s Amendment 2, described by human rights groups as "homophobic". She was accompanied by staff member Chip Berlet and numerous boxes of documents prepared for submission as evidence in the case. The case defending Amendment Two quickly collapsed.

Hardisty is listed in the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame.

See also

References

  1. "Mission & History". Political Research Associates. Political Research Associates. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  2. Khan, Surina. "Calculated Compassion". Political Research Associates. Retrieved February 26, 2011.
  3. ^ PRA: About Us
  4. PRA Annual Report 2003-2004 See page 16
  5. "Tribute to Jean Hardisty". Political Research Associates. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  6. "JEAN V. HARDISTY". The Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  • Mantilla, Karla. “Report says right wing is full of shit.” Off Our Backs, Vol. 28, No. 4, p. 3.
  • Davis-Cohen, Simon. “Sheriffs Collude with Anti-Immigrant Group.” The Progressive, Vol. 83, No. 4, August 2019, pp. 23–24.

External links

Categories: