To quote one of our pieces in this issue: “things are deeply, profoundly f*cked right now.” It’s difficult to even decide what to specific things to name—genocide, oligarchy, climate catastrophe, we could go on—because it feels like everything is happening everywhere all at once.
In this environment, the role of culture feels more urgent than ever. These systems need us to cosign our own oppression, or, at least, be too distracted to notice. They want us watching trad-wife content as they take away our reproductive rights, doomscrolling while tech oligarchs steal our future, obsessing over being thin, hot, and trendy while the world is ending over and over and over again.
How we choose to live, in community and in resistance, is one of the most immediate ways we can push back. Rejecting cultural conditioning, feeding our revolutionary spirit, and practicing alternative ways of being are everyday acts that lay the foundation for dismantling the structures that keep us unfree. That is why we wholeheartedly believe in Radish as a project for this moment.
A starting point of our work is questioning what we’ve been taught to want and to feel. How much of it is really our own? Nina Cicero-Soles, writing about her choice not to get cosmetic Botox, challenges us to question whose standards of beauty we’re chasing and why. Jordan Ashby, in their piece a black girl mixtape for reclaiming for igniting your lordean rage, reflects on reclaiming the anger she was taught to suppress because of its power to keep us numb and compliant.
There are many ways to resist, as Nico Aime reminds us in his review of Andor: A Star Wars Story—from progressive politicians to the “by any means necessary” tactics of the Rebel Alliance’s radical wing. One such tactic is detailed by Theo Gough, who writes about Critical Mass, a people-powered movement of cyclists reclaiming London’s streets. As he puts it: “It’s an important reminder that alternative cities and alternative worlds are possible—that just because things are the way they are, that doesn’t mean you’re alone in wanting them changed or that such change is impossible.”
Other forms of resistance show up in our daily lives, in micro acts against established norms that give us small glimpses of the world we want to build. From his rooftop in Brooklyn, Shane Young experiments with growing food in ways that push back against industrial agriculture. From a balcony in Belgium, co-Founder Teigist Taye shares an anecdote that helps us rethink travel “as a practice of relation—rooted in community and reciprocity as opposed to purely individualistic self expression.”
One thing is clear: however we are fighting back, it has to be together. Survival in this moment requires all of us, which means we aren’t throwing anybody out. This is a central lesson of Dean Spade’s latest book, Love in a F*cked Up World, which co-founder Reyanna James reviews with 5 of her major takeaways on relationships. It’s also a message of our piece on generative AI, which recognizes its many many harms and advocates for more conscious usage—without shaming those who are less than “perfect.” (You can check out Radish’s AI policy there too.)
And because building the future includes building for children, we’re excited to feature 15 radical picture book recommendations from one of Radish’s favorite authors, Gwendolyn Wallace. As she reminds us, “dreaming about a future where kids are part of your life—whether your own, your neighbors', or your friends'—is a radical act of hope.” For a 16th rec, pick up her brand new book Dancing with Water, just released on August 12th!
For this issue, we’ve pushed the art in a bolder, louder direction. Co-founder and art director Teigist Taye drew inspiration from the vibrant colors and repeating patterns of African fabrics—a homage to Radish’s home in Kenya as well as her own heritage. The images also pull together fractured imagery and stitched together visuals, echoing the editorial mood. The world may be “profoundly f*cked” right now, but we are meeting the moment as our most authentic selves: bold, swinging, sharp-edged, and in full color.
We’ve also launched our brand new website, with a format designed to make it easier to browse and find articles. Let us know what you think—we’re always open to feedback!
Thank you so much for being here with us. Radish is still such a new project, and one with a steep learning curve for the two of us. We are so grateful for the support and engagement we’ve gotten so far, and can’t wait to continue building.
With love,
Reyanna & Tiggy
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