'Realism demands pessimism but hope demands that we take a dim view of the present because we hold a bright view of the future.'

Corita Kent made this serigraph - titled a passion for the possible - in 1969. The transcribed text reads:

Corita Kent made this serigraph - titled a passion for the possible - in 1969. The transcribed text reads:

"Playboy: Are you hopeful that we will choose our future? William Sloane Coffin: It's possible, if not probable. If I can be theological for a moment, I think there's a great difference between being optimistic and being hopeful. I am not optimistic but I am hopeful. By this I mean that hope, as opposed to cynicism and despair, is the sole precondition for new and better experiences. Realism demands pessimism but hope demands that we take a dim view of the present because we hold a bright view of the future; and HOPE AROUSES AS NOTHING ELSE CAN AROUSE A PASSION FOR THE POSSIBLE"

WEB GALLERY: a passion for the possible

'Realism demands pessimism but hope demands that we take a dim view of the present because we hold a bright view of the future.'

A general blueprint for how any cooperative human group can function well

Given libraries’ unique combination of broad accessibility, civic neutrality, and deep public trust, policymakers should embed them intentionally within health and social planning frameworks.

"Socialism has been as impossible to separate from the narrative of the nation’s history as the capitalist economy itself."

"Just keep moving forward, even if the steps are small.”