Take a photo of a barcode or cover
967 reviews for:
Let This Radicalize You: Organizing and the Revolution of Reciprocal Care
Mariame Kaba, Kelly Hayes
4.58 AVERAGE
967 reviews for:
Let This Radicalize You: Organizing and the Revolution of Reciprocal Care
Mariame Kaba, Kelly Hayes
4.58 AVERAGE
informative
medium-paced
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-paced
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
slow-paced
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
So I’m not going to lie, picking up this book I was actually a little nervous… Would I become
radicalized reading it? Should I? What if I’m not radical enough??
Weirdly this book is anything but the stereotypes of some sort of “radical” would be. Interestingly I
think it’s a cool balm compared to what politics, activism and change feels like on social media
(which this book incidentally critiques). The book was originally meant to be a pamphlet for some
guidance for organizers but evolved into a book and I’m very very glad it did so – this book put to
words a lot of feelings and ideas I’ve had in the past few years but not been able to articulate. In
some respects this book didn’t seem radical at all (well maybe the instruction manuals at the end for how to deal with police tear gas and pepper spray but tbf as the authors point out why are
demonstrators who get tear gassed seen as radical, not the ones firing the cannons??)
The book draws together wisdom from the co-authors’ experience as well as other key figures and
forms some interesting chapters, its not really a blow-by-blow of how to be an activist but more likeessays on pertinent topics and even some major challenges to activist stereotypes – my key lessons were:
1. Acknowledge that change is a never ending mission. While this is depressing at first, its also
ultimately the truth. If you believe in justice and positive change there is no end-point,
progress is not a stationary or static situation there will always be progress (while at the
same time acknowledge that your particular movement or advocacy should focus on specific
or discrete outcomes and goals)
2. That true activism is about building something, not just critiquing the status quo. Anyone
can critique, and many apparent progressives critique in bad faith – the true work according
to the authors is in building things that are more just.
3. Be careful around fad activism. Of course sometimes an issue is pushed into people’s
awareness by a in the moment movement, but people that jump onto topical issues,
attempt to extract benefits for themselves and move into the next are not ‘radical’
4. The authors critique “Oppression Olympics” or more specifically comparing the suffering of
different groups – linking back to point 2, progress is about building systems with more
justice, not just identifying and favouring whoever is most deserving. Most vulnerable
people aren’t looking to be better victims than others (and if they are they might just be
engaging in point 3.)
5. A significant chapter addressed the concept of violence and carefully but passionately
explained how the powerful often reserve the right to define what violence is. As mentioned
in the beginning paragraphs protestors are often labelled ‘violent’ while police or other state
enforcement who use tear gas and other responses are not. I can’t really do the chapter
justice summarizing it here, but I think it is probably the most deep and meaningful for
understanding the perspective of a ‘radical’
6. Don't panic or fuss about trying to ensure everybody in your team has perfect alignment. Yes from time to time your going to want to surround yourself by very similar people and share ideals without conflict, but reality is wide groups don't have everyview point in common. Organizing, making changes and building things requires humility and acceptance that there is going to be difference within a group, and yes sometimes less than perfect language and viewpoints within a group - but eyes on the progress! (not advocating completely selling out for politics but definitely focusing on the bigger goal of organizing)
So in case its not obvious - I really like this book. I highly recommend it to anyone, its not scary, its not painful, its actually the best progressive book I've read yet!
radicalized reading it? Should I? What if I’m not radical enough??
Weirdly this book is anything but the stereotypes of some sort of “radical” would be. Interestingly I
think it’s a cool balm compared to what politics, activism and change feels like on social media
(which this book incidentally critiques). The book was originally meant to be a pamphlet for some
guidance for organizers but evolved into a book and I’m very very glad it did so – this book put to
words a lot of feelings and ideas I’ve had in the past few years but not been able to articulate. In
some respects this book didn’t seem radical at all (well maybe the instruction manuals at the end for how to deal with police tear gas and pepper spray but tbf as the authors point out why are
demonstrators who get tear gassed seen as radical, not the ones firing the cannons??)
The book draws together wisdom from the co-authors’ experience as well as other key figures and
forms some interesting chapters, its not really a blow-by-blow of how to be an activist but more likeessays on pertinent topics and even some major challenges to activist stereotypes – my key lessons were:
1. Acknowledge that change is a never ending mission. While this is depressing at first, its also
ultimately the truth. If you believe in justice and positive change there is no end-point,
progress is not a stationary or static situation there will always be progress (while at the
same time acknowledge that your particular movement or advocacy should focus on specific
or discrete outcomes and goals)
2. That true activism is about building something, not just critiquing the status quo. Anyone
can critique, and many apparent progressives critique in bad faith – the true work according
to the authors is in building things that are more just.
3. Be careful around fad activism. Of course sometimes an issue is pushed into people’s
awareness by a in the moment movement, but people that jump onto topical issues,
attempt to extract benefits for themselves and move into the next are not ‘radical’
4. The authors critique “Oppression Olympics” or more specifically comparing the suffering of
different groups – linking back to point 2, progress is about building systems with more
justice, not just identifying and favouring whoever is most deserving. Most vulnerable
people aren’t looking to be better victims than others (and if they are they might just be
engaging in point 3.)
5. A significant chapter addressed the concept of violence and carefully but passionately
explained how the powerful often reserve the right to define what violence is. As mentioned
in the beginning paragraphs protestors are often labelled ‘violent’ while police or other state
enforcement who use tear gas and other responses are not. I can’t really do the chapter
justice summarizing it here, but I think it is probably the most deep and meaningful for
understanding the perspective of a ‘radical’
6. Don't panic or fuss about trying to ensure everybody in your team has perfect alignment. Yes from time to time your going to want to surround yourself by very similar people and share ideals without conflict, but reality is wide groups don't have everyview point in common. Organizing, making changes and building things requires humility and acceptance that there is going to be difference within a group, and yes sometimes less than perfect language and viewpoints within a group - but eyes on the progress! (not advocating completely selling out for politics but definitely focusing on the bigger goal of organizing)
So in case its not obvious - I really like this book. I highly recommend it to anyone, its not scary, its not painful, its actually the best progressive book I've read yet!
Interesting stuff, but my loan lapsed and I don’t think I’ll revisit it for a while.
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
The book to pick up when you are burned out and discouraged. It reminds us that we must be the ancestors doing the work for the future
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Exactly what I needed. Strikes a great balance of informative and assuming you're on board and getting into more nitty gritty actionable wisdom. Going to be reflecting
Talk about a book that makes you feel like you’re not doing enough 😭 if you’re an activist, I love you and thank you for all the work you do. All the time you dedicate for the fight.
challenging
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced