# data[].attributes.body
MLK, Jr. was a genius of compassion and interrelatedness for realizing he could not separate racism from other forms of discrimination towards other groups (i.e., white poor), both exploited under a system of oppression capitalism has thriven on for centuries.

# data[].attributes.body
I recommend learning about animal rights advocacy in China:
www.actasia.org
Founder: Pei Su

# data[].attributes.body
Grassroots organizing is a great way to change these systems. Base building, building from the ground up, is critical. We need institutionalized change, but we need everyone on board first (so use base building to get people on board). We recognize that relying on the system to change itself is also perpetuating the system. We need to think through what we do want. the internet can be a tool to build a strong base for a radically different and just world.

- It can be very difficult for people who are privileged and relatively comfortable to relate to the radical imagination.

# data[].attributes.body
- opt out of current systems that cannot be fixed and put energy into the new thing?
- How long can we put up with incremental gains/baby steps instead of going for something truly radical?
- blind spots in supposedly conscientious spaces: focusing on negativity can derail action
- We know what we don't want: also need to important to know what we do want and work creatively towards that as a collective
- Important to envision the future we want to build;
- Everyone's vision can be different and that's good; creating a future out of collective dialogue and different imaginations
- Even incremental changes sometimes go nowhere and this can feel very overwhelming
- Importance of hope, in contrast to simple pessimism or optimism
- Importance of seeing the good that is being done now as a source of hope and learning
- Different visions to go forward: but we also see in this program that addressing certain pieces of the pie can also impact other forms of oppression that can connect with one another
- Hard to imagine a future for the world if we can't do it for ourselves; the work for ourselves is just as crucial as the external work we're doing
- Important point in the material on how people who are often best able to imagine a radical future are those who are most oppressed
- Sometimes people are disempowered and hurdles are set up by the system that prevents that radical imagination from taking shape; so it's very hard to even get to that starting point of imagining the world we want
- It can even feel embarrassing to think about different ways of doing things because we are always sold a certain myth, e.g. neoliberal myths of productivity and the "normal way of doing things"
- Sometimes people are even shamed for having "utopian" aspirations
- Myths of authority knowing best is constantly pushed on us since we were kids: need to challenge these belief systems and deconstruct ourselves so we can challenge and overcome these systems
- Whataboutism is a very common response
- Alternatives to policing and abolition: training people for situations where we don't actually need a police response
- We are also kept in an individualistic mindset where we fear our neighbors instead of engaging them

-----

# data[].attributes.body
-Letters from our future selves, writing letters to our former selves and reflecting on changes/progress in animal ethics. So many more resources for cruelty free alternatives. One of us has done letters to future self before in partnered exercises. Letters to future selves written before in a farmed animal advocates meditation retreat to cope with hardships of animal advocacy work
-The importance of radical imagining in our community.
-News of elephants used for entertainment by Ringling Bros. being released to sanctuaries
-Organizing speaker series for farm sanctuary and animal rights awareness, not exploiting animal bodies in artwork that is presented as "animal-friendly", redesigning and redefining how we bring animals into art spaces
-Exploitation of animals in the fashion industry, moves towards using CGI animals, not out of concern of animals but because it's cheaper, wanting to bring conversations about this subject into our professional spaces
-Question about whether classes in aesthetics address issues in animal ethics, usually they don't. There is an artist who uses live birds in their artwork. Birds dying in another exhibition. Human-animal divide in these spaces are real
-Interest in Aph Ko's idea of intersectionality, making big ideas accessible in their book, inspiration to explore positionality and intersectionality more
-Sharing knowledge between peers to assist in animal advocacy in our professional lives

# data[].attributes.body
Key takeaways
Those with privilege don't push things forward, don't engage with the Radical Imagination

We struggled with naming/identifying what we do want vs what we don't want/like

There's no need for Radical Imagination if there is no need to change the status quo, which is why it's described as "stunted" in those with privilege.

Radical Imagination is anchored in the idea of roots and addressing root problems. It comes from those who seek change because they needs change in order for their communities to thrive.

You see that within movements. Sometimes the adherence to certain beliefs instilled in us by the oppressor can stunt Radical Imagination from really fulfilling our goals.

We need Radicals to recenter us and refocus us on our goals

Recurring theme of BIPOC farmers/movement leaders throughout the world is reassuring in valuing our own contributions to the collective effort.

A Growing Culture IG
https://www.instagram.com/agrowingculture/?hl=en
"Confronting Unjust Power in the Food System"

Radical Imagination ties back to so much of our ancestral knowledge. So many of these reimagined systems end up being extractive and  co-opting ancestral knowledge so we have to be mindful when putting the Radical Imagination into practice.

People struggle with the notion of time and suffer from a trained sense of urgency. So much of what we now, as a society, consider relics or primitive really aren't far removed from today.

The level of destruction some of these capitalistic processes have caused in such a short period of time is alarming.

If we were able to incentivize farming with integrity, it could do so much good.

Current examples of how much conflict has arisen due to the idea of "owning" land. We could have so much freedom if we could internalize the idea that the land doesn't belong to us, rather we belong to the land.