For many years, we have personally and professionally, individually and together, struggled with what it means to be a sociologist today. We wondered what the mission of sociology should be given the hardship and suffering in the world and the urgent need for significant social change. We have found the answer in two places. First, we started with our shared vision of a better worlda world that is substantially more just and peaceful. Second, we thought about what it will take to get us closer to that new world and realized that part of the answer lies in certain key historical moments in, and particular contributions of, the sociology of the past. The promise of sociology has not been fulfilled, but we can change that by learning from these lessons of our past and envisioning the exciting possibilities for the future-a future in which sociology plays an active role in healing and transforming our world.

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This special issue of Humanity and Society is intended to spur debate on the need for a more activist sociology. It is our view that the nation and world are in such incredible distress that sociologists have a special obligation today to use our knowledge and skills in the service of humanity and in active pursuit of peace and social justice.Staying in the ivory tower is simply not enough. And, we might add, being a humanist sociologist is not enough, if that commitment does not extend beyond the confines of academia.An intellectual craft has its place, of course, but it is small comfort to the millions of people who die every year from hunger and war and who cry out for justice and peace. They and all the others suffering in our world are reaching out to us. We are well educated, privileged, relatively comfortable, and generally caring and compassionate. We are well placed in our society to make a difference in our communities and beyond. It is our special responsibility to take an active part in the work that needs to be done. This is a call for a truly engaged, activist-recommitted humanist sociology-that measures success by how well it builds bridges with community organizations, labor unions, human rights and social justice advocates and the peace community and works in true partnership with them, not as outside consultants or researchers, but as co-workers in the struggle for a better world. This is a call for a new sociology. But it is also a call for us to reclaim a sociology that was practiced by Jane Addams, W.E.B. DuBois, and others a century ago.The articles we have amassed for this issue each further our argument for a more engaged, activist, and justice-oriented sociology. We begin with our own contribution: an article that examines-critically and in some detailsociology's history in the U.S. and our vision for the future.Clare Weber then adds to the discussion of the early activist roots in sociology, while also arguing forcefully that it is important for us today to embrace this past. Her presentation of the interplay and cross-fertilization of the