The Beth Zemsky Podcast: Episode 19

Here in Minneapolis, around the country, and indeed around the world, we are in the midst of a new heightened level of movement engagement. This uprising for racial justice is possible now because of movement leaders who have been laboring for decades, joined by newly inaugurated activists, all of whom stand on the shoulders and the foundation built by generations of those who came before who believed in freedom, justice, and the power of a loving community to create change. The power of long-term movement building is evident in the energy we see on our streets and in the victory we gained this week reflected in the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision finally outlawing employment discrimination against LGBTQ+ people.

I am thrilled that in the midst of this pivotal time my friend, colleague, civil rights attorney, writer, filmmaker, activist, and current world-changer, Valarie Kaur joins me via Zoom from California for this episode of the podcast to talk about the power of Revolutionary Love. Valarie defines revolutionary love as when you are brave enough to see no stranger.

In the context of Valarie’s new book See No Stranger, which is hot off the press today, and the Revolutionary Love Project she founded going viral online, we catch up with Valarie for a unique, intimate chat about her work, her new book, and how it all came to be. Valerie shares with us, in a candid and effortlessly authentic way, about what first called her to activism, how her Sikh faith shaped and influenced her work, and how the concept of Revolutionary Love has seen her through some of the darkest and most transitional moments of her life.

This episode will challenge you in ways that are perfectly timed for the movement moment we are currently moving though. Whether you’re new to movement work, a lifelong activist, or transitioning from one form of movement work to another, Valarie offers us up her deepest wisdom, in a way that will speak directly to yours, no matter where you are in your journey.