Is the time for activism gone and passed?
musicismylife78
Posts: 6,116
I used to be a radical activist, and while I still hold those believes, and have only gotten more radical and cynical. I got burned out on politics and activism in 2006 and havent gotten back into it since then.
The reasons were varied, one of the main, was that I felt frustrated and upset with the lack of radical tactics by any activist organization, to do anything other than old fashioned tactics like petitions, and marching with signs. While those are important things, I felt, obviously with evidence, that this was doing little to nothing to stop the war, global warming, animals from being tortured and so on.
Several years ago I read an article, which suggested that "the machine is too broken now. its beyond fixing. Whats needed now is people to fight the power now, in their own quiet lives".
I find alot of truth in that statement. I feel much kinship with the 1970's "activists" who fed up and burnt out from the decade of protests in the 1960's, just sort of worked on personal issues for the 1970's decade.
Is the time for activism gone and passed?
The reasons were varied, one of the main, was that I felt frustrated and upset with the lack of radical tactics by any activist organization, to do anything other than old fashioned tactics like petitions, and marching with signs. While those are important things, I felt, obviously with evidence, that this was doing little to nothing to stop the war, global warming, animals from being tortured and so on.
Several years ago I read an article, which suggested that "the machine is too broken now. its beyond fixing. Whats needed now is people to fight the power now, in their own quiet lives".
I find alot of truth in that statement. I feel much kinship with the 1970's "activists" who fed up and burnt out from the decade of protests in the 1960's, just sort of worked on personal issues for the 1970's decade.
Is the time for activism gone and passed?
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Our government is the potent, the omnipresent teacher. For good or for ill, it teaches the whole people by its example. Crime is contagious. If the government becomes a law-breaker, it breeds contempt for law; it invites every man to become a law unto himself; it invites anarchy. - Louis Brandeis
We live in a detached country where most people don't know about what's happening in other countries. That's why people don't care. They only know what's going on in our plush country where we consume, dispose and do it again every day. Way too detail-oriented and very small minded.
People need to look beyond the mainstream media, see how people around the world are living, and understand that we're all the same. It changes your perspective to see a 3rd world country and their lifestyles. That alone, wakes people up.
it difificult to get people focused on the right things in this country, they get so fired up over the most insignificant ideas, and they see the illusion of debate on tv, and are so distracted. its going to take a lot to get people moving. we have to deal with the most advanced propaganda machine of all time, its going to take a bigger effort this time around.
but its not impossible. it can change, and its going to take activism.
But thats the whole thing. I felt so powerless. That was why I gave it up. Its empowering to stand up for what you believe. Its scary as well. To be protesting the afghanistan war in 2001, let me tell you first hand, it was new territory. But I felt so powerless in 2006. I had been protesting for 5/6 years, the war was still going on. Bush was still in office etc...
Thats another scary feeling, powerlessness. That despite the fact, I knew and know the wars are wrong, that I can write letters to the editor and go out and protest, but the wars continue...
Its also as I said, the feeling of being powerless to change things even within an activist group. Joining Greenpeace or an antiwar organization feeds two hungry animals in an activist: 1. The need to go out and do something about issues you feel passionate about, and 2: to feel part of a group, the need to feel like you are not alone.
As I said, I did all that, and it pissed me off to no end the slow pace of change. Not the Obama version of change, but change in terms of ending global warming and ending the war, or ending homelessness or name an issue. And it seemed like whatever organization I supported or joined, their idea of activism revolved around tactics that were antiquated and useless in terms of colassal issues like war and peace.
Maybe I will get back into the activism arena in the future, but for now walking away from it was the smartest decision I ever made in my life. I learned more about myself by turning my back on it, than I would have otherwise. I literally changed my entire personality, from staunch radical commie, to someone who doesnt even read the newspaper. But it was necessary.
mass popular protest has been the only way any country has ever seen any sort of significant social progress. we just need an informed public.
back when they were talking about women's rights, before they could vote......there was no term for what they were talking about. they called it "the problem". that's how hard that struglle was to get off the ground and running. but it worked.
now we're dealing with complex issues dealing with the military industrial complex, corporate whoring of the state and ideas that take more than a passing conversation to explain. its going to take time. its not impossible
I dont know the alternative, and I know you Commy have been protesting for awhile, just like me. You have always been political on this board, just as I have. You must have particpated in antiwar protests since 9/11? Didnt you notice how nothing changed? How the wars are still going on? What did we accomplish?
It does seem like its gonna take time. But I dont think we really have time. Time lost, is more salmon dying, more polar bears drowning, more soldiers dying etc... The time for organizing and dilly dallying was yesterday.
I personalized the war and the political issues I fought for. I looked at videos of what was going on in Iraq. Videos and photos of what is involved in providing meat for consumption, and saw videos of racial events. I still havent fully recovered, and I am not joking. These things began to become real. They invaded my dreams. These events, videos and pictures became real, these people were living in my house. "She can feel this war on her face" is a brilliant line in a song, but I lived it first hand, only difference was I am a he.
peace
are you mocking me or are you serious?
Our government is the potent, the omnipresent teacher. For good or for ill, it teaches the whole people by its example. Crime is contagious. If the government becomes a law-breaker, it breeds contempt for law; it invites every man to become a law unto himself; it invites anarchy. - Louis Brandeis
Hence, we are detached by choice. You said everything I already meant. If people show no interest in the world happening outside our own, we are indeed detached from the situation. Understand?
i guess it depends on what the definition of activism your using is. small things locally can be considered activism though, i rather dislike having to assign a certain label to things....for me i can't just do nothing and turn to some shitty reality tv show, i feel like i have to do something even if it means giving money, making less money, giving time...now it seems like more and more people just don't want to be bothered. they feel voting every 4 years is enough and just want to watch dancing with the stars and 24hr op/ed networks that help solidify and affirm their opinions be it hannity, olberman....
but i understand your frustration in no real progress or momentum and the feeling of 'this is it? this is our effort??' i went to a war protest 1 year that was in such an odd location....it wasn't near any streets or populated areas, it was kind of off to itself and it seemed like a bunch of people who already agree looking at each others signs, preaching to the choir and stroking their own egos....
sometimes it seems like nothing will change but the way i look at it at least i did something
what are you but my reflection? who am i to judge or strike you down?
"I will promise you this, that if we have not gotten our troops out by the time I am president, it is the first thing I will do. I will get our troops home. We will bring an end to this war. You can take that to the bank." - Barack Obama
when you told me 'if you can't beat 'em, join 'em'
i was thinkin 'death before dishonor'
as far as your quote saying the videos of these wars invaded your thoughts, dreams, etc, just think about the soldiers who have been deployed numerous times, and have witnessed the horrors of 'war' firsthand. maybe you could focus your 'activism' toward them.