The Four Pivots: Reimagining Justice, Reimagining Ourselves

by Shawn A. Ginwright

For readers of Emergent Strategy and Dare to Lead, an activist's roadmap to long-term social justice impact through four simple shifts.

We need a fundamental shift in our values--a pivot in how we think, act, work, and connect. Despite what we’ve been told, the most critical mainspring of social change isn’t coalition building or problem analysis. It’s healing: deep, whole, and systemic, inside and out.

Here, Shawn Ginwright, PhD, breaks down the common myths of social movements--a set of deeply ingrained beliefs that actually hold us back from healing and achieving sustainable systemic change. He shows us why these frames don’t work, proposing instead four revolutionary pivots for better activism and collective leadership:

Awareness: from lens to mirror
Connection: from transactional to transformative relationships
Vision: from problem-fixing to possibility-creating
Presence: from hustle to flow

Supplemented with reflections, prompts, cutting-edge research, and the author’s own insights and lived experience as an African American social scientist, professor, and movement builder, The Four Pivots helps us uncover our blind spots. It shows us how to discover new lenses and boldly assert our need for connection, transformation, trust, wholeness, and healing. It gives us permission to create a better future--to acknowledge that a broken system has been predefining our dreams and limiting what we allow ourselves to imagine, but that it doesn’t have to be that way at all. Are you ready to pivot?

Genres: Nonfiction, Social Justice, Self Help, Politics, Activism, Justice, Mental Health

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 25, 2022

Reviews

[BigBlueSea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the kind of book you start with low expectations (having read many books on social justice) and by the end of page 2 go to get a yellow highlighter.

As a middle class white man (more aptly, a flawed human being just like you), I don’t pretend to understand the deep hurts, hopes, fears or joys of people around me. I’ll tell you that this book is special. It did not shame me into guilt or make me want to run when confronted with perspectives wider than my own: it just methodically with humility lays out a heart. It welcomes you to something bigger just as Reverend King’s speeches did.

It offers encouragement to a life and community bigger than ourselves. To with humility look at our own predilections and view others through the same journey we view ourselves. Highly recommended.

[Avory Faucette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book joins several recent titles placing #socialjustice movements at a tipping point, suggesting that a wave of change is coming that must center healing and relationship. Current thinking can make this important shift seem like bypassing or denying urgency, and I’ve personally felt this fear and uncertainty in transforming my own relationship to activism. We may see the potential for a momentous collective shift, but also fear punitive dynamics within communities. And it’s tough to reject these dynamics and *also* avoid saviorism or dogma. The call is to come together, acknowledge our tremendous pain and grief and desire for something new, and integrate approaches: centering accountability, but also healing.

I thought Ginwright did an excellent job in this book of presenting what this change might look like at an individual and collective level, balancing acknowledgement of the astounding current level of need and oppression with a critical understanding of how our tactics need to change. The “four pivots” form an overarching framework to guide the reader through vulnerable storytelling, direct suggestions, and honest reflection on our present moment, shared history, and potential futures. The stories Ginwright chose to illustrate his points are broad enough to touch a range of readers, pulling from his own life as a parent, husband, community organizer, funder, and Black man. I also appreciated contextualized reflections from Ginwright’s past mistakes as a social justice leader, since funders and Board members are so often in CYA mode.

Through each pivot, you can consider a different mode of being: how to be more reflective, engage in transformative relationships, open up to possibility, and move through the world with greater spaciousness and adaptability. If the subtitle “Reimagining Justice, Reimagining Ourselves” appeals to you, you’ll find this book to be a valuable support. I would also recommend for organizational use.

[ARC provided by NetGalley.]

[Colleen Rice · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 / 5 ⭐: Man, I do wish this book had existed while I was still working in higher Ed. It captures so many of my issues within social justice circle- scarcity mindset, lack of imagination, and non-stop grind. While I understand the root of them all, I struggled to enunciate what was so toxic about those mindsets and why they made the work so unsustainable (when embraced as The Only Way). Dr. Ginwright captures this all with clarity, love, and gentleness without making it feel any less than ground-breaking. Love, love, loved it.

[Katrina Kauffman · Rating 3 out of 5]

this one's probably like a 3.5 - it had me in the first half, but at some point it started to be a little repetitive, and some of the ideas felt half-baked. this book definitely discusses some very significant ideas in terms of leadership and social justice, and I don't want to discredit the importance of Dr. Ginwright's work - the book just didn't land as strongly as I hoped it would. all in all, it's far from being the worst book I've had to read for a class, so I really can't complain.

[Staci · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this audiobook and it is a little dry at times but the information the author has to share is extremely valuable. It can help you have a more open perspective of the world and feel a little more hopeful that things can be better. Many of the things discussed I had already been doing prior to listening to this book. My actions were born out of frustration and hopelessness about so many issues that seemingly never really improve. These feelings prompted me to shift the focus of my effort to better understand the world around me. Stop putting out fires. Read this book. Take a deep breath. Highly recommend.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Agreed with a lot of points, was not a fan of some others! I think I just have less faith in people than the author lol

[Alicia Jessop · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important read and roadmap for a better world.

[Larkin Tackett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Shawn Ginwright, an eduction professor and expert on youth development, describe four important pivots to improve our justice work.

1. From lens to mirror calls us to self-reflect before we analyze. He channels the likes of Grace Lee Boggs who remind us that "social change is fundamentally about individual and collective responsibility for creating, imagining, and relating together in new ways."

2. From transactional to transformative is best summarized in the words of Benjamin McBride, a community safety advocate he interviews. "The wrong first question is, What do we need to do? The right first question is, Who do we need to become?" Ginwright and McBride's approach is part of what the book describes as the new-world view of social change. As opposed to the old-world view, which "focuses entirely on building the power that's necessary to exert influence over people, processes, and events... New-world power is based in the capacity to foster and sustain a beloved community, a sense of belonging, and human connection even with those who are in your out-group (them)."

3. From problem to possibility is really a shift from problem loving to possibility thinking. "The greatest challenge before us is not simply a political, economic, or social transformation," he writes. " Rather, the greatest challenge we face is failure to try another way."

4. From hustle to flow is frame well in the words of Howard Thurman, who Ginwright sites throughout the book. "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. As yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who come alive."

[Lisa McMillon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Four Pivots was selected as a book study for the Equity Team at my school. I feel it was an excellent choice because the writer includes so many thought provoking questions that lead to great discussion. The writer, Shawn A. Ginwright also challenges the reader with questions for self reflection that allows us to to become more clear and honest with ourselves in order to grow into the best version of ourselves as leaders, activist and human beings.

[Alicia Atkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stop what you are doing and read this book. It’a one of the most important books I’ve read in the realm of racial and economic justice in the last five years.

[La-Shanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author Shawn A. Ginwright addresses difficult topics centered around social justice and perspectives. He offers ways to be vulnerable when in trusting relationships as well how to heal when life is unkind. Dr. Ginwright seems hopeful even though he admits there are so many problems to solve. He speaks from his experiences with and/or understanding of the AIDS epidemic, Apartheid, Domestic Violence, Education and Students of Color, Gay Rights, Police Brutality, and Racism. The book covers social issues over the past three decades. I appreciate him offering the “third perspectives” as well as the possibility for everyone to feel like they belong and have the same rights (creating possibilities). The book is covering so much! I would like to see the author cover each decade in separate books. For example, Gays Rights of the 1990s AIDS epidemic and “coming out” versus today’s LGBTQplus acceptance and safe spaces maybe similar but the movement then and now are different. I really appreciate Dr. Ginwright willingness to offer not to get stuck and comfortable. You cannot grow or build capacity staying in a safe zone. Get to know people who don’t think like you. Bridging one owns perspective with those who don’t share a similar lens/outlook allows the opportunity form a third perspective.

[Mandy B · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “The Four Pivots” offers valuable insights for readers of all backgrounds. It transcends being just a social justice book, serving as a guide to personal growth and understanding as well. The book is structured with clear, digestible pivots and chapters, accompanied by compelling examples. A great roadmap!

[Aimee Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this book for a grad class that I teach. Every one of my students said it was transformative. Several other professors told me they started reading it and said it was because they were told by students they should read it. This book is an absolute must have, especially with our current sociopolitical environment.

[la.reads.audiobooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm going to read this again and reflect. A lot. I invite you to read it- we can reflect together.

[Travis Batista · Rating 3 out of 5]

I dedicate this read to @cannonjoiner.

[Lauren Morton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I heard Dr. Gainwright discuss this book on Brene Brown’s podcast “Unlocking Us”. As another reviewer shared, I began reading and stopped to find my highlighter. This book is powerful and transformative on a personal and social level. I believe we are all at point where the pivots are going to redirect us to peace and belonging. The realization we all want the same thing.

Adding this to the list of books the are ground shaking.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really well written, accessible, and hopeful.

[Jake · Rating 1 out of 5]

if you take four pivots, you'll wind up exactly where you are

[Lucas Maas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shawn Ginwright’s The Four Pivots is a transformative contribution to the field of youth development and education. With relentless conviction, he elucidates a holistic framework that addresses the multifaceted needs of both marginalized youth and communities. He emphasizes four interwoven ‘pivots’ that fall under the concepts of awareness, connection, vision, and presence.
Ginwright challenges our notions of leadership through the self and a lot of the self-inflicted issues of social justice movements. Ginwright holds no punches as he confronts the ugliness of social justice work and movements. Though well-intended, they fail to achieve their goals and aspirations as a group. His work requires an introspective journey of the self and a bolstering of self-awareness. This is not only to become one’s best self in order to lead or be a contributor to a group but Ginwright’s main purpose in this book is to heal the world. And only by journeying within ourselves and rectifying avoidable problems within the social justice realm can we truly heal the world.
Ginwright includes a lot of personal anecdotes to support his emphasis on healing which underscores the significance of acknowledging and addressing trauma and emotional well-being in youth development. By also foregrounding ‘belonging’, Ginwright highlights the importance of creating inclusive environments that foster a sense of community and group identity. He also believes that engaging and being engaged within your community fills the necessity of meaningful and participatory learning experiences that resonate with the lived realities of young people, which a lot of his work is centered around.
The limitations of his work though are glaring. There is a level of complexity to the four pivots and practical implementation can prove difficult as those who are taking things from this book such as educators, policymakers, and facilitators, might struggle to implement all four pivots into their work. That can be based on cultural and contextual variations. A lot of Ginwright’s work revolves around Black youth development, even establishing a camp for Black children named Camp Akili. Much like the camp, his work solely revolving around Black youth development is inhibited by self-segregation. It reveals a slight overemphasis on youth development. This is also to take into account, the lack of empirical evidence to support his pivots. Although, while sharing powerful anecdotes to keep the reader interested and to better illustrate the four pivots, the lack of empirical data can question the long-term sustainability of his ideas.
In conclusion, Ginwright’s Four Pivots presents a holistic approach to youth and community development by emphasizing healing, belonging, and engagement. While very insightful, its complexity, overemphasis on youth specifically colored youth, and lack of empirical evidence need to be subject to careful consideration if these ideas are to be sustainable for the long term. The framework of the four pivots should be tempered by these limitations, enabling practitioners to adapt it how they see fit in order to create contexts of meaningful impact.

[Anna Katharine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book over the past year as part of a diversity, equity, and inclusion cohort, and appreciated having the chance to read it in chunks, reflect, and talk it over with other readers. Some of the most helpful concepts were:

The four lies of social change:
1. Deep change can be achieved through shallow solutions
2. The more power we have, the more change we can create
3. We can strategize solutions for social change (this one is BIG for me)
4. It's us vs. them

To change our perspective we have to "...interrogate our mental models, question our assumptions, and ponder our meaning making about events we see in the world." This includes the "deeply held mental model of who is human, who belongs, and who deserves."

It's harder to identify and articulate problems than to imagine new solutions- and moving from this 'problem loving' mindset to 'possibility-creating' mindset is HARD. But worth it.

It was also helpful to hear about justice efforts- and their failures- from the point of view of an African-American man about my age but from a different place and with different life experiences. A different lens always helps efforts to see a more complete view. I have few quibbles with Ginwright's work; the final section on moving from 'grind to flow' feels a bit idealistic, but maybe he'd say I was just 'problem loving.' :D I also have some discomfort with the way he dealt with his discussion with a childhood acquaintance of very different political views- but perhaps that is the type of transparency and vulnerability that we need to practice. On the whole, this is a solid method for reconsidering a personal approach to life and social justice, with some helpful (if somewhat intuitive) methods for self-reflection and relating across difference.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

MY NOTES

Pivot 1: From Lens to Mirror
The Lens: We spend all our time looking outward, analyzing problems, and judging others.

The Mirror: We must look inward to see how our own biases, traumas, and habits contribute to the very problems we want to solve.

Bare-Bones Action: Practice self-reflection. You cannot lead others to a place of healing if you haven't visited it yourself.

Pivot 2: From Transactional to Transformational
Transactional: Treating people as "tools" or "resources" to get a job done. Relationships are based on what you can do for me.

Transformational: Prioritizing deep, authentic connection. It’s about "being" with people rather than just "doing" for them.

Bare-Bones Action: Slow down. Build "vulnerability equity" by sharing your true self with your team or community.

Pivot 3: From Problem to Possibility
Problem-Based: Focusing entirely on what is "wrong," which leads to "empathy fatigue" and cynicism.

Possibility-Based: Focusing on what we want to create. This uses "Dreaming" as a political and social act.

Bare-Bones Action: Instead of just being "anti-something," define what you are "pro-something." Ask, "What would a healthy world actually look like?"

Pivot 4: From Hustle to Flow
Hustle: The belief that "busy-ness" is a badge of honor and that we must burn out to be effective.

Flow: Aligning your work with your well-being. It recognizes that rest is not a reward for work; it is a requirement for it.

Bare-Bones Action: Prioritize "restorative practices" (like the ones in The Common Rule). High-impact work requires a regulated nervous system.

[vane · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book offers a framework on how we show up in this work and in our own lives in a way that’s healing-centered, sustainable, and grounded in care. That said, the ending felt a bit abrupt. I was hoping for more to help wrap it all up and think about how to carry these ideas forward.

1. From Lens to Mirror
Instead of always focusing on external systems and other people’s actions, this pivot encourages deep self-reflection and inner work. It emphasizes healing, self-awareness, and understanding how our own experiences, traumas, and identities shape our approach to justice.

2. From Transactional to Transformative Relationships
Many justice efforts focus on outcomes, policies, and metrics (transactions). This pivot urges us to prioritize relationships, community building, and long-term transformation - grounding activism in love, trust, and care.

3. From Problem-Fixing to Possibility-Creating
Rather than centering what's broken or wrong, this pivot encourages us to imagine what’s possible. It’s about cultivating hope, vision, and creativity in our approach to change, especially in communities often only defined by struggle.

4. From Hustle to Flow
Activists and change-makers often burn out from overwork. This pivot encourages slowing down, embracing stillness, and working from a place of alignment, not exhaustion. It values rest, joy, and intuition as essential to sustainable justice work.

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most book describing the activist process describe almost frantic and ceaseless movement to make the world a different place. From this perspective, Shawn Ginwright's The Four Pivots is almost an anti-activist book. Instead, he recommends four "pivots" that are largely internal: examining oneself, transforming one's self and relationships, seeing possibilities rather than only problems, and finding flow. When, for example, has such a book focused on and advocated for rest and sleep?

But Ginwright's insights are in line with Tania Israel's, Beyond Your Bubble , or Sharon Salzberg's Real Change. It is our ability to listen and who we are that changes people, not any loud, rational (or irrational) argument. Reminds me of a 1977 Nuance ad: "If you want to capture someone's attention, whisper"

What I've said here does not mean that I'm accusing any of these writers of passivity or complaisance. Sometimes, paradoxically, we are more successful at changing a person's mind by our passion, commitment, our willingness to listen, our willingness to be authentic. Try it.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not so much a review as a journal entry. This book landed in places of active enquiry for me so I’m making notes for ongoing work (ha and to hold myself accountable for them by writing them here)

I enjoyed this book, arriving to answer questions and poke into others where I’ve work still to do.
Weaves together integrity, vulnerability, and working across difference with radical empathy with heartfelt stories, told in a community organising way entirely at home in this big hearted practical book.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by the author over a few evenings, and feel the need now to go back to words on a page to scribble in the margins, piece together the work here with other profound material, as well as to help me more fully engage in exercises presented.

The pivots
Awareness, connection, vision, flow … they sound familiar but the contexts and contents are fresh.
The telling of awareness shifting from lens to mirror, a sweet wise way to bring this in! Connection from transactional to transformative, feels like pure community organising … and here I would like to see more practical examples in currently transactional situations. That could be a whole other book.
Vision, this part I think I wanted some of the later content earlier, and that’s an editing thing.
Something felt a little unsatisfying about introducing the term design thinking almost flippantly, but still I appreciated how the flip to positive creative thinking was introduced. Nails the problem with problem thinking! Surely required reading for all government people.
Talking to the ‘other’ or ‘othered’ in the last section felt like a strong call for brave and radical empathy.
And it’s from that place where I wonder where I seek to put this into place in the public sphere.
Is it possible to make deeper explorations like this one the norm? How might we support *that* to happen at scale?

Anyway, back to ordering the paperback to dig in deeper and of course share.

[Ugn Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting book, with a refreshing perspective.

All four sections are interesting, but I found the first section (from lens to mirror) to be the most powerful.

- Can we examine our own thoughts? What do our thoughts say about us?
- Even if we disagree with someone, can we recognize there humanity?
- sometimes it's easy to get caught in our own clutter, and to forget our common humanity...

Separately, the author had an interesting point around vulnerability that I really appreciated..."Who has earned the right to hear my story?" having been a bunch of a number of awkward forced vulnerability discussions, it kind of helps me realize what was getting under my skin a bit...

Generally the book recommends approaching justice with a sense of grace, compassion, charity and curiosity, vs. victimization, aggression and dehumanization... Look at yourself!

I like the call for an "evolution of our collective consciousness" - pretty powerful. there is a lot of reactivity in this world today. can we take a moment, and recognize that we are all humans before lashing out?

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great writing and good voice in the midst of our differences in this country. Important point at the begining in learning about yourself and self-reflection on what’s happening around you. Showing up for your community as a civil servant listening to other voices that you don’t necessarily agree with. I loved this part of the book. The author sort of went off the rails when talking about racism and some of the past history of this country. I believe we all know the history but what can we do about it moving forward. We need to stop labeling groups of people and just discuss people. A lot of groups have had horrible histories, I can’t name one group who hasn’t but it’s not something we need to rehash in every social justice book. It just gets regurgitated over and over again the same rhetoric. Let’s find a way to build bridges and acknowledge what happened in the past and move forward to find ways that are common between us instead of what could divide us. Time to reflect and have dialogue across the aisles.

[Heidi Dumke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book over the last couple of months. As I was reading, I would ask myself how his proposed pivots and overarching theme on healing would impact me in my relationship with myself, others, and students.

His work is a testament to how framing can reconfigure everything. For example, if the true work of social justice is to heal and create belonging, what are the actions I can take to make that possible? I learned it’s through seeking truth revealed to me like a mirror, doing the hard work of transformative relationships, reorienting goals to states of possibility, and prioritizing flow and rest.

He aptly reminds us throughout these pivots that there are hard truths to reckon with and limitations to confront.

At the heart of his teachings, he is asking us to focus on bettering ourselves so that we may better the world. His many anecdotes made him very relatable in this important and personal journey.

[Kara Ayers · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was fascinating to read this book in the middle of what I hope (wish?) is a weird part of history where the loudest voices are demonizing "DEI" and fighting for its removal-as if ignoring our differences will somehow mean we will work better together.

This was a great read-especially for people invested in social transformation and human rights. It may have been a 5-star read for me but it was segmented by a few weeks (hold ran out at the library). I enjoyed the second half more than the first because somewhere between there it seemed Dr. Ginwright acknowledged that ableism is a form of oppression.

I really liked one of the metaphors presented about what kinds of roles are needed for social transformation: firefighters, builders, and architects. I wrote more about this on my Substack.
I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys nonfiction books they can apply to their work.

[Allie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Won an ARC in a giveaway for an honest review - thanks, I love it

I have and will keep recommending this book to my colleagues, peers, and friends.
Within the first 20 pages, I knew this is going to be the book defining 2022 for me.

Acknowledging, but not dealing with, the feeling of burnout I've had was what set the stage for Dr. Ginwright's points to really hit home. It took me a while to get through the ~230 pages, because I needed/wanted the time to sit with the themes and exercises (and then: chapter 11).

Coming out of a global pandemic and burnout of virtual life, Dr. Ginwright's ideas and suggestions made me feel more hopeful about the communities we have and the futures we can imagine together. We need time and space to heal and connect, and whoever is interested in that - read this book.

[hiaa123 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another book for work. I really liked the messaging here about the four pivots for social movements. Though I still have a hard time imagining a world where everyone makes this change, and unless everyone is willing to commit to reflecting, building transformative relationships, possibility-creating, and seeking flow, I'm not sure if social movements will really move forward.

Though I think these are great personal values, and I certainly would like to adopt my own way of being to them. I just don't enough faith in everyone else.

Also, I can't fully get behind shared vulnerability at work...I'm not particularly interested in sharing my personal history and struggles in that context.

Fully support Dr. Ginwright's ideas, but the cynic in me just can't see the practical shift in our society. I wish I could be so idealistic.