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A review by mxunsmiley
Hope in the Dark: Untold Histories, Wild Possibilities by Rebecca Solnit
4.0
Definitely inspirational while also being a call to action. I do disagree with a few implications, whether they were intentional or not, such as her essentially rephrasing "centrism" as a way to rally racist white people by appealing to their causes. I have mixed feelings on this strategy; I do feel like it's worth it to reach out to, say, white working class people who have racist views, but only if the onus is on white people and not on people of color, especially Black people. But I also have no interest in working with white working class people who proudly say "Make America Great Again" or wave Confederate flags, and I'm sure other people of color feel the same. Maybe I misunderstood, but she did seem to lean toward compromise in this respect.
I did like her criticism of the left which still applies today, especially with how some fantasize about the revolution while making no effort to make steps toward it. Do not misinterpret me, this does not mean I think everyone who doesn't participate in protests or direct action is counterrevolutionary, as I know many disabled people are unable to. I believe people who have the ability to do so must attempt to construct the future they envision, even if it seems minuscule.
I also liked how she brought up that movements can be globally influential, as well as her denouncement of US imperialism and exceptionalism. She pointed out how people, when Bush got elected, felt like the world was going to end, even though nations and their people do fight against US interests, not without some losses, of course.
I did like her criticism of the left which still applies today, especially with how some fantasize about the revolution while making no effort to make steps toward it. Do not misinterpret me, this does not mean I think everyone who doesn't participate in protests or direct action is counterrevolutionary, as I know many disabled people are unable to. I believe people who have the ability to do so must attempt to construct the future they envision, even if it seems minuscule.
I also liked how she brought up that movements can be globally influential, as well as her denouncement of US imperialism and exceptionalism. She pointed out how people, when Bush got elected, felt like the world was going to end, even though nations and their people do fight against US interests, not without some losses, of course.