Wayward Guide: Politics And People
Okay, so I know we're, like, weeks past Wayward Guide in Rewatchers, but I can't stop thinking about the politics of it all. I always forget that, next to Black Friday, Wayward is probably the most political work in this extended fandom of ours. And it's not just the story's local election, or even the scapegoating of the werewolves for political gain. It's the individual people and the roles they play in the disaster that hits Connor Creek.
It's Desmond Brewer, who has power, who has influence, who cares about others. Who has spent so long hiding himself, losing ground bit-by-bit, watching his pack struggle to recover as the outside world moves on, that he no longer believes in his ability to change anything. At least not until it's too late.
It's the Irons family, who have been failed so thoroughly by the system--abandoned without education or support--that in their fear and desperation they will turn to anything that claims to promise something new. They are being exploited and used by elitists who know or care nothing about them, but why should the Irons even notice? Neglected to exploited is not that far to fall...
And mostly, to be honest, it's Sybilus Silver II, who advocates for himself and his pack in his political and personal life, but spends his professional days at the beck and call of those who would destroy him. Because it is his job, and the capitalist system he lives under, and how can a young man with a stutter say no to that? So instead he fights back in every other way he can, but it's not enough, it's not enough, it's not enough, and suddenly his friends are dying while half of his neighbors unknowingly scream for his blood.
And these people, they are us. Desmond is people doomscrolling on twitter, too tired to fight for small change because what does anything even matter? The Irons are these written-off conservative small towns, making terrible choices that only serve to alienate them further when we should be pouring resources into giving their next generation a fighting chance to be better. And Sybilus is us every day, buying something on Amazon because we have to save that bit of money, driving a car instead of taking public transportation because we simply don't have the time, making all these small sacrifices and concessions because we have no other choice.
And, it's like, fuck. Yeah. The Tin Can Bros really nailed that part.
