Why We Need Radical Imagination
““So much of the work of oppression is policing the imagination.””
In a world grappling with systemic injustices and deep-rooted inequities, it's easy to fall into the trap of pessimism. The extractive economy seeks to isolate and consume us, eroding our sense of awe and wonder. It attempts to sever our intricate bond with the living world, to undermine the solidarity and dignity we find in our labor, and to diminish our ability to care for ourselves and others. This system would have us believe that there are no other paths forward, that the capitalist now extends endlessly into the future.
In the face of dominant versions of what’s-to-come, we desperately need to reclaim our radical imagination—not because it has been lost, but because it is our most potent untapped resource.
What is Radical Imagination? Angela Glover Blackwell, Founder in Residence at PolicyLink, defines radical imagination as "a tool, practice, and way of being that pushes us toward the insights and strategies that remind us that a new world is not only possible — it is indeed happening all around us. Radical imagination means that even when we don’t have all the answers, we believe wholeheartedly that the future is extraordinary and we continue to manifest that irresistible vision.”
This is our core belief at Radical Futures, a speculative design studio committed to helping organizations imagine bold potential futures. Through our work with diverse communities, we've witnessed the incredible potential unleashed when people are given the space and tools to envision a world beyond the confines of their current reality.
Radical Imagination in Action
One striking example of this transformative power emerged during our collaboration with La Plazita Institute, a grassroots organization in Albuquerque's South Valley. In a futuring workshop, a group of young men were tasked with creating scenes representing their ideas of belonging using toys and props. As they immersed themselves in the creative process, they wove together narratives that spoke to their deepest longings and aspirations—a yearning for connection to their heritage, a desire for second chances, and a determination to shape the decisions that impact their lives.
The depth and complexity of their expressions shed light on the systemic injustices that have long cast a shadow over their lives. Through this imaginative exercise, these young men not only found a powerful outlet for their emotions but also challenged the status quo and envisioned a future where their voices are valued and their potential is realized.
Similarly, in our work with community members and city officials in Tulsa's historic Greenwood neighborhood, we used speculative artifacts—from future newspaper articles to audio meditations—to paint a shared vision of an ideal future. Despite differing perspectives on achieving Black wealth and economic empowerment, by exploring seemingly far-fetched possibilities, we aligned on a future that elevates the power of neighborhoods to decide their own destiny, tipping the scales towards justice through equitable development.
Strengthen Your Radical Imagination Muscles
As we stand at the threshold of a new era, the need for radical imagination in the pursuit of social justice has never been more urgent. The challenges we face demand that we think beyond the confines of the present and envision a future that aligns with our highest aspirations.
We invite you to harness the power of radical imagination in your own work. Practicing radical imagination is accessible to everyone, and there are countless ways to start strengthening your muscle:
🎙️ Tune in to the Radical Imagination podcast, hosted by Angela Glover Blackwell, where you'll hear from courageous activists, visionary artists, and fierce organizers who are dreaming up radical solutions to some of society’s most pressing problems.
🎥 Watch "What a World Without Prisons Could Look Like," a TED Talk by architect Deanna Van Buren, who designs restorative justice centers that treat crime as a breach of relationships and justice as a process where all stakeholders come together to repair that breach.
📚 Read Octavia's Brood: Science Fiction Stories from Social Justice Movements, co-edited by adrienne maree brown and Walidah Imarisha. This anthology of radical science and speculative fiction, written by organizers and activists, is based on the idea that those working to change the world are sci-fi/speculative thinkers.
🌍 Learn from Slow Factory’s Open Edu, which teaches on multiple topics through 3 major lenses—human rights, climate justice and collective liberation.
😴 Take a nap and reclaim your imaginative power through sleep. It's hard to imagine just futures when you're grinding, hustling, and exhausted. Read Tricia Hersey's Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto to learn more about the power of rest.
🤝 Join ten, a network of care and inquiry exploring the idea that the way we think about and address the crises of our times is increasingly part of the crises. They are calling together an experimental, underground network of postactivist practitioners interested in exploring other ways of knowing, being, sensing, relating, and responding to the crises of our time.
By reclaiming our radical imagination, we can escape the spell of 'no alternative' and reclaim a sense of our potential for multispecies flourishing. We can reclaim our future.
