The Activist's Survival Guide

(Copyright © 2023 – 2025.) All rights reserved.

What began as a book is now evolving into a movement. In 2018, What My Left Hand Was Doing: Lessons from a Grassroots Activist introduced readers to Joann Castle’s extraordinary journey—from Detroit’s racial justice frontlines to her bold vision for intergenerational activism. This award-winning memoir, originally published by Against the Tide Books, an independent press dedicated to social justice, features The Activist’s Survival Guide, a distillation of hard-won lessons learned from decades of grassroots organizing. Today, the legacy of this work continues with even greater urgency on its new platform: http://www.WhatMyLeftHandWasDoing.com

This revitalized home for Joann’s work will soon showcase a second edition of Left Hand, updated to reflect today’s unprecedented social and political challenges. The new edition will expand The Activist’s Survival Guide, adding updated principles and tools for justice seekers of all ages. It also lays the groundwork for a comprehensive curriculum, new blog posts, and engaging intergenerational conversations—both online and within community spaces.

Whether you’re a longtime reader or just joining us, we invite you to step into the circle. The left hand is still moving—and there’s work to be done.

Now here’s the latest blog from our fearless leader!

By Joann Castle.

Welcome to friends old and and new. It’s so nice to be here with you.

At a time when the stakes for justice and democracy have never been higher, we are called to reflect, resist, and rebuild. Activism today demands not only bold responses to the actions of our current government but also a deep commitment to shaping the future we want to live in.

A powerful starting point can be found in the 11 Principles outlined in the Activist’s Survival Guide, featured in Chapter 17 of my book, What My Left Hand Was Doing: Lessons from a Grassroots Activist.

See book history here and endorsements here.

Our renewed vision speaks to this pivotal moment in our history. America’s sociopolitical landscape is shifting rapidly, as political retribution dismantles long-held norms, laws are being disregarded, and communities are left in a state of uncertainty.

Now is the time not only to resist but also to invest in building our future. It is time to develop relationships and support one another in facing the hardships imposed on our communities. This will serve as the foundation for our success.

Here, at What My Left Hand Was Doing, we will study the history of social justice and freedom struggles in the United States and around the world, seeking to place the current struggle in historical context and educating ourselves to understand not only where we’ve been but also where we are going.

We believe that our strongest defense against the rollback of social justice gains involves fostering conversation between generations of activists. Bridging these generations is critical for ensuring
continuity, connection, and a shared mission to defend our increasingly endangered rights.

We begin our intergenerational work by revisiting “The Activist’s Survival Guide” (click here). These in-the-trenches observations and experiences summarize lessons learned during the Civil Rights era. Today, we seek to integrate these lessons with the technological advances and social media-savvy campaigns of contemporary activists.

We’re launching our new work with a comprehensive assessment of activists across generations in the “Intergenerational Activist Survival Guide Survey” (IASGS). This will spark meaningful
conversations and guide us in building a platform for change, rooted in past successes and energized by the vision and digital expertise of emerging leaders.

The road to sharing my activist story was filled with unexpected detours, including the long shadow of the pandemic. Still, the work resonated. On January 5, 2021, an email arrived announcing that What My Left Hand Was Doing: Lessons from a Grassroots Activist had won the BookLife Prize from Publishers Weekly. It received a rare perfect score—10 out of 10 in every category—marking a moment of quiet affirmation after years of persistence.

“Eloquent and engrossing”, the reviewer wrote, “Castle’s memoir is a must-read for all those interested in the Civil Rights Movement.  Providing an honest, first-hand account of Detroit’s racial divide in the 1960s. The author takes readers on an inspirational but harrowing journey through a painful time in the city’s history.”

For more information on book awards click here.

In addition to our new website home, we plan to publish a second edition of What My Left Hand Was Doing in trade paperback, e-book, and audiobook formats. This edition will feature a new prologue that highlights the challenges of our ever-evolving world and explores how intergenerational collaboration can blend the best of the past with the present to create an enduring strength from one generation to another. We all need someone to lean on and learn from.

Today hard times are upon us. People have taken to the streets to express their pain. “Do something!” is an oft-heard emotional cry that reflects our helplessness. We stifle the urge to push back, constrained by an unspoken agreement to non-violence. The restraint shown by our citizens is both palpable and admirable. Queasy stomachs and sleepless nights reveal the anxiety we carry from losing our familiar ways, including our jobs, our health insurance, and our government’s guaranteed benefits. How do we find our way forward? No one can do this alone.

Activism is much more than protesting. Seeking change occurs in many ways and is available to everyone. Take an interest in what’s happening in your neighborhood. Chat with people; get involved. Fix what’s broken, feed the hungry, and support your public schools. Offer to help when you can. Attend community meetings and town halls with your congressional representatives. Mobilize. Let your voice be heard. Have courage; hold fast to one another and offer solutions.

Community activism is especially rewarding because it connects you with people dedicated to addressing issues that impact our daily lives. It serves as a compelling foundation for building intergenerational unity and survival.

Plant your feet firmly on the ground and engage with your community. Stand up for those in need of support. Explore strategies to foster meaningful interracial and intercultural conversations among community members. We are more similar than you may think, and we are stronger together.

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I would like to thank our technical staff for their able assistance in building this site.

Website staff. Technical: Alexander Hamlin. Webmaster: Mollika Biernat.