In this deeply practical book, full of case studies and worked examples, the authors share how they have worked to decolonise and separate the grassroots social justice organisations they work in or help from capitalist and toxic ways of thinking that prioritise productivity over healing. People working in social justice movements have often been directly personally affected by the issues they are working on, so are closer to the work emotionally and in an embodied way than your standard person working in a corporate organisation, so hurts run deeper but so do healing and learning. The mention of Indigenous practices might make people in places like the UK think this book is not for them, but we can still learn from Indigenous practices here, otherwise why would books like "Braiding Sweetgrass" be so popular?

And we can apply the ideas in this book or think of them in relation to any volunteering we might do: I thought about it in relation to some campaigning I did in the general election and how we were encouraged to heal and rest as much as to interact with voters, and I thought about it in relation to my leadership of a parkrun. So if I got that much out of it, anyone working in a charity or other movement-related area would get so much more, as well as people at funding organisations who might need to rethink the goals and conditions they set around the funding they provide. Much food for thought here.

Review on my blog to come on 22 July: https://librofulltime.wordpress.com/2024/07/22/book-review-tessa-hicks-peterson-and-hala-khouri-eds-practicing-liberation/

Another great book for folks who want to learn more and to do better. I highly recommend this to anyone on a journey of practicing liberation for all.

"Practicing Liberation: Transformative Strategies for Collective Healing & Systems Change," edited by Tessa Hicks Peterson and Hala Khouri, is a powerful collection of abolitionist and transformative justice essays that delve into themes of healing justice, decolonialism, community care, and collective liberation. This anthology is a clarion call to those involved in social justice movements, offering a comprehensive guide to addressing burnout and fostering sustainable activism.

One of the most striking aspects of this collection is its unwavering commitment to the principle that "we keep each other safe." The essays collectively emphasize that self-care is not a selfish act but a crucial component of community care. By taking care of ourselves, we are better equipped to support and nurture our communities. This concept is especially important for leaders of organizations and collectives, who are provided with practical advice on structuring their communities in a manner that prioritizes healing justice.

These authors fiercely argue against the capitalist and productivity-driven mindset that often pervades social justice work. Instead, they advocate for rest as a form of resistance, challenging the notion that constant productivity is necessary for meaningful change. This perspective is refreshing and necessary, especially in a society that often glorifies overwork and burnout.

A significant strength of this collection is its trauma-informed approach. Each essay underscores the importance of recognizing and addressing personal trauma to prevent its perpetuation in activist spaces. The contributors highlight the need for imagination and creativity in enacting change, viewing these as essential skills for building a more just and equitable world.

Several essays explore the somatic impact of trauma and stress, making the case that the personal is indeed political. By bringing somatics and embodiment into activist conversations, the anthology sheds light on the intersection of oppression and chronic stress. This approach not only enriches the discourse but also provides practical tools for activists to care for their bodies and minds amidst the rigors of social justice work.

Harm reduction and transformative justice are central themes in many of the essays. The contributors draw on the work of bell hooks and adrienne maree brown to discuss the differences between calling in and calling out, and how harm can be transformed rather than exacerbated. The essays explore the benefits of affinity spaces versus integrated spaces in harm reduction processes, underscoring the necessity of collective accountability in achieving collective liberation.

One standout essay, "Breath. Fugitivity. Wild Horses: Black Feminist Strategies for Healing in a Predatory Empire" by Valerie Thomas, offers an insightful exploration of anti-Black racism, feminism, and the neurophysiology of trauma. Thomas expertly dissects the phenomenon of Complex Racial Trauma within education, providing a compelling analysis that is both informative and deeply moving.

Overall, "Practicing Liberation" is a must-read for fans of bell hooks and adrienne maree brown, as well as anyone committed to social justice and transformative change. The essays offer actionable strategies for practicing transformative justice and harm reduction in various contexts, making this collection a valuable resource for activists, organizers, and community leaders. With its rich insights and practical advice, "Practicing Liberation" earns a solid four out of five stars.

📖 Recommended For: Advocates of Transformative Justice, Readers Engaged in Social Justice Movements, Admirers of Healing Justice and Community Care Practices, Fans of bell hooks and adrienne maree brown.

🔑 Key Themes: Collective Liberation and Trauma-Informed Approaches, Self-Care as Community Care, Somatic Healing and Embodiment, Harm Reduction and Collective Accountability.

Content / Trigger Warnings: Sexual assault (minor), Racism (minor).

This book is an incredible reflection on the importance of self-care, wellness, and mental health for those working in Social Justice Movements. Its divided intro three sections which really help to explain the concept. First the foundations of understanding, then some information and practices, and concluding with examples of actually putting this work into action.
Even with so many contributors to the book it truly reads as one voice which is incredibly unique.

Overall I loved this book, as someone who works in the non-profit sector I found the information incredibly relevant and look forward to bringing these concepts into the workplace. In that same regard, this book is best suited for people who are professionally in the non-profit/social justice world. Those who are just stepping up for particular causes outside of an organizational perspective may not get as much out of the book. Some of the practices and tools will be beneficial, and it can certainly be interesting for anyone, but they may not be able to connect as much.

There is a part in this book that speaks to my lived experience, and it states "changemakers are also grief stricken by the hypocrisy of organizations or movements that do not live the values they preach."
I read this book, taking notes, agreeing and disagreeing with some of the insights from various changemakers and activists. One thing is certain that you cannot detach yourself from any initiative you partake. There is no way, your interaction with those in and out of your community doesn't fail to affect your mental or physical health and even both. I love that this book spoke to that truth, and the authors explore key elements of transformative movements.
I would recommend this book to anyone in the field of advocacy, change making, an activist, seeking social justice- not as a one size fits all, but more as a book to read and become aware of some of the struggles you may face, and more so the internal work needed to overcome most of them.
Thanks Netgalley for the eARC. I am definitely glad I got to read this, it's a keeper in my library.

I didn’t connect with this book at all. The authors are a bit all over the place and threw the words systemic issues, injustices, and trauma too much but then tried to insinuate that burn out is similar. It is not. As someone who works with folks in the correctional system and who have mental health disorders, burnout is absolutely not the same. Burnout would almost be a privilege for formerly incarcerated folks and people who have severe mental illness - both of who will find it difficult to obtain employment and/or maintain it.

As writers, you should know that words matter.