The Role of Fantasy in Escape and Empowerment – Written by Isha Popat

Everyone once in a while, people need a haven. A world where they can let loose and be happy. Fantasy is a type of genre in which people have the opportunity to find strength, courage, and love. Stories have a way of being able to make things which one wants to be true, to actually be true. It offers an escape. A place of empowerment. A place which one can call their own. 
It is important for individuals to have this safe place where they can be themselves and feel comfort in a world full of change and inconsistency. As long as individuals are able to separate their fantasies and real life, they can have their own secret world, and still be good human beings. It is of great importance that the line here does not get blurred as that is something which could cause many problems. 
Now let’s focus on fantasy's role in empowerment. Fantasy has the ability to push for reforms once thought impossible. They can jumpstart movements with power that then guid people to work together. Fantasies can build communities. They can build love. And empowerment. 
Empowerment should come from the people, therefore books written by the people on strong opinions that they hold, have the power to transform, and create. With the known socioeconomic disparities and the inequalities across the globe, these stories can create communities which give strength and maybe just the right amount of power to have people continue their lives, as all they need is to feel a sense of connection with another individual. The people's voices are important. They must be heard. They must be followed. They must be kept safe. And worlds have the power to do so. They can keep people inspired, loved, and remembered. 

This blog post was written by Isha Popat.