Radical Hope

Written by: Liz Cerven

Dear Reader,

I write to you in a time of unease when the world feels fragmented and heavy with uncertainty and when hope can seem fragile and elusive. And yet, it is precisely in these moments that hope becomes most radical—a fierce act of defiance against despair and resignation. Today, as we navigate the currents of a fraught political climate, I write to you about the power of radical hope: not as a passive feeling, but as an active, transformative force.

Radical hope does not ignore the weight of the challenges before us. It does not ask us to turn away from injustice, fear, or sorrow. Instead, it invites us to confront these realities head-on with a vision for what could be. It is the belief that even amidst the ruins, seeds of possibility can be planted, nurtured, and grown into something better. It is an insistence on imagining a future where equity, compassion, and community are not just ideals but lived experiences.

Radical hope demands courage because it often exists without guarantees. It is rooted not in certainty but in possibility—in the idea that our collective actions today shape the world of tomorrow. To hope radically is to take a stand: to resist apathy, to refuse despair, and to insist that our small, persistent acts of kindness and justice matter.

Sarah Ahmed, in her reflections on hope, reminds us that hope is not a passive state but an active orientation toward the future. She writes about hope as something that comes alive in the effort to “reorient” ourselves and others. In this sense, radical hope allows us to create new possibilities even when the present feels uninhabitable. It insists on imagining the world not as it is but as it could be. Ahmed’s work challenges us to resist “happy endings” and instead recognize hope as a form of resilience in the face of uncertainty—a way to keep moving, imagining, and creating.

In Ahmed’s view, radical hope does not erase pain or injustice. Instead, it acknowledges these realities while refusing to be defined or confined by them. Hope is found in the cracks, in the moments where the promise of something different becomes visible—even briefly. This kind of hope resists closure; it is open, expansive, and tied to the recognition that change is possible, even when it feels out of reach.

bell hooks deepens this call, reminding us that “Hope is essential to any political struggle for radical change when the overall social climate promotes disillusionment and despair.” Her words affirm that hope is not a luxury—it is a necessity. It is the foundation of movements for change, the lifeblood of those who refuse to accept the status quo. Hope, for hooks, is both a personal and political act—a choice to believe in and work toward a better future.

This hope does not rest solely in grand gestures; it thrives in everyday acts of care and resistance. It is found in conversations that bridge divides, in the courage to call out injustice, and in the quiet work of supporting those who need it most. It flourishes in community—in the recognition that we are not alone in our striving.

Radical hope also calls us to imagine differently. When systems fail us and old ways of being crumble, hope urges us to envision new possibilities. It dares us to dream of liberation and wholeness, even when the path is unclear. It asks us to move forward with faith—not blind optimism, but the belief that even imperfect steps can lead us closer to justice and healing.

As we navigate these tumultuous times, let us hold tight to the thread of radical hope. Let us nurture it in ourselves and in each other, even when it feels fragile. Let us remind ourselves that hope is not the absence of struggle but the resolve to continue, even when the way forward feels uncertain.

You are part of this hope. Your voice, your actions, your presence—they matter. Together, we can create ripples that extend beyond what we can see. So, hold fast to hope, dear reader. Let it guide you, embolden you, and remind you that, even in times of unease, the possibility of a brighter future is within our reach.

Yours with steadfast hope