seeing a lot of posts, especially from white americans, stating the reasons why resistance is hard—losing a job, losing access to healthcare, fractured communities, a system designed to keep us subdued—and they... resign themselves to it.
first, i want to acknowledge these truths. there are families in poverty who cannot afford to lose work. there are people who need treatment and medication in order to live. systemic barriers are numerous and meant to keep us "in place."
second, i want to point out that our nation is not the exception. our sob story is not unique. movements and revolutions have arised from places with similar situations. hell, they have arised from places with less resources, less people, less chances than we have! to think that a strike or protest or change is not possible because there is too much to lose is dangerous, and frankly ignorant, thinking.
because there are already people losing these things, and it's not by choice. there are families now without work, struggling to eat, because they cannot leave their houses. there are people losing access to healthcare from rising costs, there are people dying because of the bills being passed (by a government you think will save you??). there are communities being torn apart, harrassed, and murdered. and if the possibility of death scares you now, i want to remind you that this is not a new occurrence nor a new fear for countless communities in this nation. so learn from them. listen to us.
if you want change, actual change, not just the idea of it, then you have to get used to being uncomfortable. you have to get used to the idea of sacrifice. you have to get used to knowing that real change requires risk.
is it overwhelming? yes. can you do it? yes. donations, creating mutual aid groups, sharing your skills, protesting. can't protest? making signs, organizing rides, patrolling your street now and then. book clubs to connect, read banned books and think about them, research past movements and their success, make a zine, make pamphlets with helpful information, make a website. use your creativity, connect with artists, learn. attend a training, document and observe. join a union, start a union, strike whenever possible. not possible? stand with the picketline, support their families, give giftcards, call the companies, annoy the elite, boycott, start the business you want to support. pay attention to elections but don't let them be your only involvement. find your local community and ask them what help they need.
push yourself out of your comfort zone. you still have the ability to choose to do so. many do not. many will not—you may not, if you don't start now.
this is not to fearmonger (if you feel discomfort, i ask you to sit with it for a minute). this is to rile you up, though. stop waiting for change and let the change be you.
