Terraform: Building a Better World

by Propaganda

Overview

In this debut collection of essays and poetry, musician, speaker, and activist Propaganda inspires us to create a better, more equitable world.

“If we get to make the very cultures that shape who we are, then let us remake them in the best way possible.”

In this deep, challenging, and thoughtful book, Propaganda looks at the ways in which our world is broken. Using the metaphor of terraforming—creating a livable world out of an inhospitable one—he shows how we can begin to reshape our homes, friendships, communities, and politics.

In this transformative time—when we are redefining what a truly just and equitable world looks like, and reflecting on the work that needs to be done both in our spiritual and secular lives—Propaganda rallies readers to create that just world. He sheds light on how nefarious origin stories have skewed our views of ourselves and others and allowed gross injustices, and demonstrates how great storytelling and excellent art can create and shape new perspectives of the world and make all of us better. 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780063036246
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	06/08/2021
Pages:	288
Sales rank:	485,028
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 7.90(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Before dedicating his life to hip hop and poetry, Propaganda received degrees in illustration and intercultural studies, taught high school, and founded two charter schools. Propaganda co-hosts The Red Couch Podcast with his wife, Dr. Alma Zaragoza-Petty. His upcoming album, Terraform, will be released in 2021. He lives in Los Angeles, California.

Table of Contents

Foreword Jeremy Courtney xi

Mission to Mars 1

The Sky

Tell Better Origin Stories 35

The Truth is Yelling At You 77

The Soil

Soil is Sacred 119

The People

Institutional Neighborliness 153

Remember The Quiet 195

The Possibility

Imagine a Better Future 227

Acknowledgments 263

Notes 265

Editorial Reviews

05/24/2021

“What if we thought about our cultural climate in the same way we consider the actual climate,” asks poet and activist Propaganda in his candid if meandering debut. Blending essays and poetry, Propaganda highlights the power of storytelling: “Tell Better Origin Stories” considers the violent, racist narratives upon which America was built, and urges readers to create new tales of beauty and survival. “Remember the Quiet” spotlights the importance of fostering personal peace in an information-saturated world, while “Imagine a Better Future” mixes poems about oppression with essays on creating “a world suitable for human flourishing.” Exercise prompts round out each section and include such instructions as “write a love poem to your neighborhood,” “do a land acknowledgement,” or “pay attention to your rituals.” When Propaganda considers tech, though, things get less convincing (he poses, for example, that if trees provided Wi-Fi we might treat them better), and those averse to winding narratives might not connect with the meditative nature of his musings. Still, many climate-minded readers will appreciate the mix of compassion, creativity, and hope. Agent: Alex Field, the Bindery Agency. (June)

Publishers Weekly

Brilliant, searing, and completely new, Prop doesn’t just teach us about terraforming, he literally terraformed something new and generous—and funny!—with this book. It will give you a whole language and lens for co-creation of a more beautiful and true world.”  — Sarah Bessey, New York Times bestselling author of A Rhythm of Prayer 

“The culture is at an inflection point and we need voices that can rightly interpret the times, voices that can inspire humanity to move forward. In walks Propaganda with the fire of a Black prophet and a tongue sharp like a sword ready to do the painstaking work of terraforming our souls. Terraform is gritty, masterful, and wholly transcendent.” — William Matthews, Artist x Advocate, Singer-Songwriter, co-host of The Liturgist Podcast

“Propaganda brings the gifts of his brilliant thoughts and powerful words into a book that not only inspires us to believe that we can recreate a world in which beauty and justice flourish but gives us the tools to do so.”  — Jenny Yang, Vice President for Advocacy and Policy, World Relief

“What is this book? Is it poetry? Prose? Wild ramblings? Social commentary? Inspiration? Provocation? Yes to all of it. Yes to Prop’s beautiful, faithful imagination and to his sharp-eyed, open-hearted observation of the world around us. Yes to his gorgeous call to dream, to cherish, to remember, to breathe, to love.”   — Jeff Chu, co-curator of Evolving Faith, and author of Does Jesus Really Love Me?

"Propaganda weaves together words, as only he can, to stir up our discontent for the current state of things and help us form a vision for a better future. Terraform is a brilliant roadmap for reconstructing the world written by one of our generation's most spiritually subversive poets. We ignore it at our peril." — Jonathan Merritt, contributing writer for The Atlantic and author of Learning to Speak God from Scratch

“Propaganda’s brilliant prose crystallizes into this refreshing, comprehensive guide for anyone who has yearned to transform themselves and their communities.”  — Ian Morgan Cron, author of The Story of You and co-author of The Road Back to You

From the Publisher

"Propaganda weaves together words, as only he can, to stir up our discontent for the current state of things and help us form a vision for a better future. Terraform is a brilliant roadmap for reconstructing the world written by one of our generation's most spiritually subversive poets. We ignore it at our peril."

Jonathan Merritt

Brilliant, searing, and completely new, Prop doesn’t just teach us about terraforming, he literally terraformed something new and generous—and funny!—with this book. It will give you a whole language and lens for co-creation of a more beautiful and true world.” 

Sarah Bessey

The culture is at an inflection point and we need voices that can rightly interpret the times, voices that can inspire humanity to move forward. In walks Propaganda with the fire of a Black prophet and a tongue sharp like a sword ready to do the painstaking work of terraforming our souls. Terraform is gritty, masterful, and wholly transcendent.

William Matthews

What is this book? Is it poetry? Prose? Wild ramblings? Social commentary? Inspiration? Provocation? Yes to all of it. Yes to Prop’s beautiful, faithful imagination and to his sharp-eyed, open-hearted observation of the world around us. Yes to his gorgeous call to dream, to cherish, to remember, to breathe, to love.”  

Jeff Chu

Propaganda brings the gifts of his brilliant thoughts and powerful words into a book that not only inspires us to believe that we can recreate a world in which beauty and justice flourish but gives us the tools to do so.” 

Jenny Yang

Propaganda’s brilliant prose crystallizes into this refreshing, comprehensive guide for anyone who has yearned to transform themselves and their communities.” 

Ian Morgan Cron