"Radical is Our Best Weapon" response by Janet Pi

 Questions:
1.How could we, as artists, build a bridge between two different communities to start a conversation and listen to each other's needs?
2.We see history repeating itself and we’ve always found ways to solve problems. Or have we not? What are the consequences of our “solutions”?
3.Diaz mentions that the “idiom of silence” as a survival guide. What would be the outlet of such emotional/physical repression? How has he coped with the subjugation of his voice?  

My vision of the radical hope:

Although it’s been said many times, in many ways, I still believe that being able to love and to feel(especially empathy) are the answers for this problematic society. It feels like turning away from pain and numbing ourselves are among the mechanisms of humanity, and we often underestimate the outcome of resorting to cynicism. In Junot Diaz's New York Times article the day after the election, the first thing he encourages us is to feel. He says,  “We need to mourn all these injuries fully, so that they do not drag us into despair, so repair will be possible.” If we dare to bear witness to our fear, we will know what wounds to patch.

The radical hope starts with our acknowledging and accepting the fact that humanity is never going to be perfect. We are not some invincible entities that can solve anything with a punch or a wand. There is always destruction and despair, but we have each other despite our differences. If we are willing to extend beyond our community, including those we tend to misjudge/distrust (but care about the world)  and embrace the multiplicity, we might finally have the possibility to live in a balanced society.