Juliana Barnet, Activist Explorer
In search of Activist Stories…
To combat erasure and stereotyping, we need authentic portrayals of those fighting for justice, peace, and the planet. Stories that reveal the daily struggles faced in the heart of the fight, and show genuine, multidimensional people engaged in the fascinating, complex work of making change.
The Activist Experience:
Activist life is rich with drama, thrills, romance, comedy, and adventure. We need diverse narratives—movies, novels, TV shows, and more—that invite us into the lives of activists, showcasing their humanity rather than reducing them to stereotypes.
The Power of Fiction:
Fiction opens windows into people’s lives, and brings the reader/viewer into these lives in a uniquely powerful way. We need a variety of genres—mysteries, dramas, adventures, romances, thrillers, and comedies—to illustrate how change is made through collective action, not just individual heroics.
Our Collective Stories:
These narratives are essential for fostering collaboration and strengthening our movements. I collaborate with activists through various collective activities to integrate our stories into movement-building efforts, amplifying authentic voices while challenging harmful narratives.
My Work with Activist Stories

Collecting
* Stories depicting activists fully and fairly * Stereotyped portrayals of activism that need calling out or calling in * Activists' stories of their own experiences

Creating
* Rainwoood House Sings and my own "movement mysteries" series * Collective novels about making change together

Cultivating
Projects encouraging others to create fiction that fully and fairly represents activists, activist culture, and social change movements

Connecting
Connecting fiction writing and social movements through the writing projects SOOP - Stories Of Our Power--and Neighborhood Novelists.