spilling @spillingandspillingand - Tumblr Blog

I’m in my 20s and this is where I dump art

We visited some relatives who all in on some deep right-wing conspiracy theories over the holiday, and one thing I noticed, is that none of their conspiracy theories require them to do anything. All they are told to do is keep watching videos or reading posts, or keeping tabs on forums and watch it all play out.

The truth IS going to come out… sometime soon. Probably in the next six months, maybe. The medbeds ARE coming! In a year or two. No need to see a doctor about a very common and treatable condition before it gets worse and disables you. Just watch and wait, and everything will work out without you having to lift a finger.

And what’s really troubling to me, is that I see people on the left also drifting towards that same attitude.

“The Epstein Files will be released and everyone will turn against him.” “The economy will continue to suck for young and working people, and everyone will turn against him…” “People will turn against him for attacking Venezuela…” Just watch and wait, and everything will work out without you having to lift a finger.

None of that includes a plan for improving things after “everyone turns against him.” None of that addresses the problems with disinformation and misinformation and radicalization that are fucking up our country, and the broader world.

The only effective counter seems to be organizing and talking with people in person. That takes time and work. That takes empathy. That takes meeting people where they’re at and politely listening to their concerns and taking those concerns seriously, even if they are different from yours or less urgent to you than yours. It does NOT allow for everyone to sit back and wait for things to improve on their own.

It doesn’t have to be huge, but people do need to start building the communities and networks we need to fix this shit. Throw a potluck get-together for the neighbors on your block and chat with them. Find a candidate who has a chance to win your congressional seat or state legislative seat and whose policies you like well enough, and go volunteer for them at least once a week. Find a church or organization in your area that’s helping immigrants and show up and help. Start going to events for the LGBTQ community in your area. Get to know the people in your community and build connections and relationships with them. Because we will not get out of this mess by watching and waiting for deliverance.