stephyreads10 's review for:

Let This Radicalize You: Organizing and the Revolution of Reciprocal Care by Mariame Kaba, Kelly Hayes

3.0

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Let This Radicalize You is a powerful and accessible guide for anyone looking to better understand social justice, grassroots organizing, and how to meaningfully take action in causes they care about. Whether you’re new to activism or feeling burned out, this book offers both a wake-up call and a warm invitation to participate in collective change.

What makes this book stand out is its grounding in real-life stories of successful local activism—from mutual aid networks to prison abolition efforts. These examples aren’t just inspiring; they’re practical, showing how ordinary people can organize and make an impact in their communities. Hayes and Kaba provide tools for getting started, including how to identify your values, assess your capacity, and take strategic steps toward action.

One of the key takeaways that stuck with me is the reminder to ask people to join you. Too often, we assume we have to do it all ourselves. But building movements means inviting others in—something I often forget.

The book also emphasizes:

• Sustainable activism: Burnout is real. The authors stress the importance of rest, boundaries, and joy as essential parts of long-term resistance.
• Political education: Change doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Understanding systems of oppression, power, and history helps activists avoid replicating the very harms they’re fighting against.
• Imagination and hope: Organizing isn’t just about dismantling the old—it’s about envisioning and building something better. As Mariame Kaba famously says, “Hope is a discipline.”

If you’re looking for a roadmap to action rooted in justice, community, and compassion, Let This Radicalize You is a must-read.