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Wielding the Force: The Science of Social Justice
Emerging knowledge and time-tested wisdom can inform and reinforce social justice activism. New scientific information about our brains, hearts and the biology of human interaction will amaze and delight those who seek a more generous, compassionate and peaceful world. Framed within the context of Indigenous and other ancient wisdoms, this new knowledge can inform, transform and revolutionize movement building.
Our collective paradigm is shifting and science is firmly on the side of social justice! Like the rebels of the original Star Wars trilogy who brought down the Empire, activists can effectively wield "The Force".
For a video series that explores issues discussed in this book: http://www.swallowsongs.com/videos/
Our collective paradigm is shifting and science is firmly on the side of social justice! Like the rebels of the original Star Wars trilogy who brought down the Empire, activists can effectively wield "The Force".
For a video series that explores issues discussed in this book: http://www.swallowsongs.com/videos/
- GenresActivism
158 pages, Paperback
First published January 20, 2013
3 people are currently reading
214 people want to read
About the author
Zainab Amadahy
12 books39 followersZainab’s writings and workshops help activists, students and community workers develop self-care and group skills that lead to a sense of peace and renewed enthusiasm for working with others to achieve social justice.
These workshops and writings use new science and wisdom from many traditions to demonstrate the personal and social benefits of cooperation, kindness and generosity.
Zainab’s latest books are WIELDING THE FORCE: THE SCIENCE OF SOCIAL JUSTICE and WAYS OF WIELDING THE FORCE: 13 EXERCISES IN COLLECTIVE CARE & EFFECTIVENESS
You can learn more about Zainab and her work at http://www.swallowsongs.com/.
Of African American, Tsalagi (Cherokee), Portuguese, Scottish and Amish heritage, Zainab’s achievements include co-authoring (with Dr. Bonita Lawrence) ”Indigenous Peoples and Black Peoples in Canada: Settlers or Allies” for Breaching the Colonial Contract: Anti-Colonialism in the US and Canada. She also contributed to Strong Women’s Stories: Native Vision and Community Survival and authored the feminist science fiction novel Moons of Palmares.
These workshops and writings use new science and wisdom from many traditions to demonstrate the personal and social benefits of cooperation, kindness and generosity.
Zainab’s latest books are WIELDING THE FORCE: THE SCIENCE OF SOCIAL JUSTICE and WAYS OF WIELDING THE FORCE: 13 EXERCISES IN COLLECTIVE CARE & EFFECTIVENESS
You can learn more about Zainab and her work at http://www.swallowsongs.com/.
Of African American, Tsalagi (Cherokee), Portuguese, Scottish and Amish heritage, Zainab’s achievements include co-authoring (with Dr. Bonita Lawrence) ”Indigenous Peoples and Black Peoples in Canada: Settlers or Allies” for Breaching the Colonial Contract: Anti-Colonialism in the US and Canada. She also contributed to Strong Women’s Stories: Native Vision and Community Survival and authored the feminist science fiction novel Moons of Palmares.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 5, 2014
If not obvious, the book's title is a playful reference to Star Wars. And from my understanding "the force" in this case is compassion.
I first read some of Zainab's beautiful articles on community in Rabble. For a glimpse of her thinking on relationality and activism, you can check out: http://rabble.ca/news/2010/07/communi...
While the term “self help” is not used, Wielding the Force is arguably somewhat of a self help book. However, whereas self help books tend to be mired in individualism and lacking a political lens, Zainab’s book is grounded in social justice principles; including how the individual is connected to the collective. She also makes an explicit critique of New Age theories that are oblivious to social location and blame victims by suggesting that peoples’ hardships is their own fault due to their lack of positive thinking.
One recurring theme I found particularly helpful is the question of whether anger can be an effective fuel for our activism, or if our activism should instead coincide with a sense of inner peace. After all, as Zainab questions, “as an activist, you might ask if it’s possible, ethical or desirable to maintain a sense of gratitude, peace and optimism in the midst of suffering. After all, it seems a bit callous and insensitive to cultivate inner peace when people around the world and at home are being impoverished, bombed or tortured. Does gratitude take away one’s motivation to struggle for social justice?” (p. 71). While very understanding of why people might be angry, Zainab poses the question of which emotional state helps to build movements and more effectively gets work done? Which emotional state fosters innovative, resilient, and strategic thinking? Particularly, on the individual level, she reasons that self compassionate people are better able to be more resilient in terms of being able to cope with adversity and renew themselves afterwards. Moreover, she questions if overworked, acutely stressed out activists at risk of burn out are really in an emotional state to be able to usher in this better world they envision.
Interestingly, while the emerging science included in this book (some of which I assume is contestable) adds further evidence to support Zainab’s claims, I find that much of the wisdom readers can gain from this book need not necessarily be made technical or scientific.
I have found this book to be very insightful and influential in my thinking (though fully embodying it is different than knowing). I would recommend it to anyone interested in the connections between self care and social justice. Fortunately it is also a very accessible and quick read, being just over 150 pages.
I first read some of Zainab's beautiful articles on community in Rabble. For a glimpse of her thinking on relationality and activism, you can check out: http://rabble.ca/news/2010/07/communi...
While the term “self help” is not used, Wielding the Force is arguably somewhat of a self help book. However, whereas self help books tend to be mired in individualism and lacking a political lens, Zainab’s book is grounded in social justice principles; including how the individual is connected to the collective. She also makes an explicit critique of New Age theories that are oblivious to social location and blame victims by suggesting that peoples’ hardships is their own fault due to their lack of positive thinking.
One recurring theme I found particularly helpful is the question of whether anger can be an effective fuel for our activism, or if our activism should instead coincide with a sense of inner peace. After all, as Zainab questions, “as an activist, you might ask if it’s possible, ethical or desirable to maintain a sense of gratitude, peace and optimism in the midst of suffering. After all, it seems a bit callous and insensitive to cultivate inner peace when people around the world and at home are being impoverished, bombed or tortured. Does gratitude take away one’s motivation to struggle for social justice?” (p. 71). While very understanding of why people might be angry, Zainab poses the question of which emotional state helps to build movements and more effectively gets work done? Which emotional state fosters innovative, resilient, and strategic thinking? Particularly, on the individual level, she reasons that self compassionate people are better able to be more resilient in terms of being able to cope with adversity and renew themselves afterwards. Moreover, she questions if overworked, acutely stressed out activists at risk of burn out are really in an emotional state to be able to usher in this better world they envision.
Interestingly, while the emerging science included in this book (some of which I assume is contestable) adds further evidence to support Zainab’s claims, I find that much of the wisdom readers can gain from this book need not necessarily be made technical or scientific.
I have found this book to be very insightful and influential in my thinking (though fully embodying it is different than knowing). I would recommend it to anyone interested in the connections between self care and social justice. Fortunately it is also a very accessible and quick read, being just over 150 pages.
September 8, 2013
Zainab Amadahy asked social justice activists a number of important and provocative questions. Can we be happy revolutionaries? Is protest the highest aspiration of community empowerment? How would self-compassion translate into a collective setting? Which emotions inform your philosophy, political opinions and actions? Using various scientific concepts (neuroplasticity, electromagnetism, energetic connection across species etc.) Zainab argues for an activism that is grounded in peace, calm and gratitude; that embraces a relational worldview. She urges activists to view the collective and the self as interdependent, interconnected and mutually impacted. Wielding the Force is a useful starting point for discussions around sustainable social justice activism and community building.
July 15, 2013
GREAT BOOK!
Want to Read
July 15, 2013GREAT BOOK!
Read
August 12, 2015http://rabble.ca/books/reviews/2013/0...
Review by Harsha Walia
In her opening pages of Wielding the Force: The Science of Social Justice, Zainab Amadahy highlights the work of a French Buddhist monk who also has a PhD in molecular genetics -- I did my undergrad in microbiology so, I was pretty excited to see that! -- to clarify that the worlds of "science" and "spirit" are not mutually exclusive; rather they are overlapping.
Amadahy's book is a compendium of information on the science of social justice and healthy communities.
From the outset, the definition of science is reclaimed. A scientist, as Amadahy describes, is not necessarily a specialist in quantum physics, they are anyone receiving and processing information in the natural world. A scientist includes those trained in "ceremonial protocols, sacred medicines as well as special songs and dances." Disrupting the traditional Western dichotomy of logic versus emotion, she writes "To the Indigenous scientist, thoughts and feelings matter in the seeking out and application of knowledge."
Read more here: http://rabble.ca/books/reviews/2013/0...
Review by Harsha Walia
In her opening pages of Wielding the Force: The Science of Social Justice, Zainab Amadahy highlights the work of a French Buddhist monk who also has a PhD in molecular genetics -- I did my undergrad in microbiology so, I was pretty excited to see that! -- to clarify that the worlds of "science" and "spirit" are not mutually exclusive; rather they are overlapping.
Amadahy's book is a compendium of information on the science of social justice and healthy communities.
From the outset, the definition of science is reclaimed. A scientist, as Amadahy describes, is not necessarily a specialist in quantum physics, they are anyone receiving and processing information in the natural world. A scientist includes those trained in "ceremonial protocols, sacred medicines as well as special songs and dances." Disrupting the traditional Western dichotomy of logic versus emotion, she writes "To the Indigenous scientist, thoughts and feelings matter in the seeking out and application of knowledge."
Read more here: http://rabble.ca/books/reviews/2013/0...
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews