Nikki Giovanni (1943-2024) was a writer, poet, activist, and educator. Revolutionary Dreams was one of her notable poems. This poem discusses a process of developing political consciousness. The first step is recognizing a problem. Then there is a desire to fight against an oppressive system. Beyond this is the development of ideology. A revolution requires political and social change in society. Giovanni in the poem insists that revolution also is internal. A change in political philosophy or general convictions is only one step. Revolutionary Dreams sounds more like an argument for reform. The reason the civil rights and feminist movement was incomplete was because reform was emphasized over revolution. The baby boom generation went from being leftist in their youth to political centrism or neoconservative aligned. Self criticism and being open to new ideas is not the issue. Avoiding ideological contradictions should be part of a disciplined movement. A true revolution understands certain systems have to be dismantled and certain groups cannot be negotiated with. Advocates of a racial caste system could not be tolerated. This is why the Supreme Court had to force the south to integrate. Women were denied equal rights, which meant that the traditional views of gender roles had to be discarded. Nikki Giovanni's Revolutionary Dreams sound more like accommodation. Change at times needs to be imposed, otherwise the reactionary forces of society will hinder advancement.
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