Hope Is the Foundation: Project 2029
Project 2029 is built on a powerful foundation of hope — not the passive, wishful thinking kind. It’s a daring, relentless, driven hope that thrives, when faced with uncertainty or challenge. Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, we remind ourselves that “It’s the action, not the fruit of the action, that’s important.” Sometimes the results of our efforts might never appear, at least not in ways we anticipate, yet we remain committed to doing what’s right.
In this spirit, Rebecca Solnit offers a guide: “Hope locates itself in the premises that we don’t know what will happen and that in the spaciousness of uncertainty is room to act.” For Project 2029, uncertainty isn’t a barrier; it’s the very place where our most meaningful actions take root and grow.
We lean into Martin Luther King, Jr.’s wisdom that while disappointments are inevitable, they should never deter our sense of infinite possibility: “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.” This acknowledgment helps us see setbacks not as failures, but as temporary obstacles within a larger vision worth pursuing.
bell hooks adds urgency, reminding us that “Hope is essential to any political struggle for radical change when the overall social climate promotes disillusionment and despair.” Project 2029 believes that maintaining hope — especially when times feel bleak — is foundational for sustained, meaningful change.
Mariame Kaba challenges us to treat hope not merely as a feeling, but as an intentional practice: “Hope is a discipline. It’s less about ‘how you feel,’ and more about the practice of making a decision every day, that you’re still gonna put one foot in front of the other.” This approach gives Project 2029 strength even on tough days, encouraging continual forward momentum.
Howard Zinn further inspires by pointing out that hope in difficult times isn’t naive; it’s rooted in the reality that human history is full of kindness, courage, and sacrifice, not just cruelty. “To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty, but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, kindness. What we choose to emphasize in this complex history will determine our lives.” Project 2029 consciously chooses to highlight and nurture compassion and courage.
Audre Lorde reminds us of our true responsibility, asserting, “Your power is relative, but it is real. And if you do not learn to use it, it will be used against you, and me, and our children. Change did not begin with you, and it will not end with you, but what you do with your life is an absolutely vital piece of that chain.” Every action, no matter how small, is essential and transformative.
James Baldwin’s powerful refusal of hopelessness fuels our commitment: “I can’t be a pessimist because I’m alive. To be a pessimist means that you have agreed that human life is an academic matter, so I’m forced to be an optimist. I’m forced to believe that we can survive whatever we must survive.” Baldwin’s insistence on optimism energizes our efforts, encouraging resilience.
Ricardo Levins Morales beautifully captures the energy behind our project: “Hope is the oxygen of rebellion. Hope makes dreams seem possible.” Project 2029 is fueled by this belief — hope isn’t just inspiring; it’s essential.
Václav Havel grounds us in the understanding that hope is not about the certainty of success: “Hope is not the conviction that something will turn out well, but the certainty that something is worth doing no matter how it turns out.” This moral courage defines our daily decisions.
Barbara Kingsolver calls us to engage with our hopes, “The very least you can do in your life is figure out what you hope for. And the most you can do is live inside that hope. Not admire it from a distance but live right in it, under its roof.” Project 2029 invites you not just to dream but to actively live and create from within your deepest hopes.
Ultimately, Project 2029 is about harnessing hope as a powerful force for transformation. It’s not about passive optimism; it’s about courageous, disciplined action that can reshape our collective future, starting with each of us, every single day.
Have hope. Take action. At Project2029.me
