All Forms of Resistance Matter

At this horrific time in our country’s history, every form of resistance matters. It’s the cumulative effect of all of them together that have a bigger impact than a single act alone.

A friend reached out to me on Bluesky recently. We discussed the current political nightmare the United States is currently going through. With his permission, I’m replicating his initial message to me here.

You recently posted something about protests and their importance. I’m likewise trying to get people engaged and activated. One pushback I repeatedly encounter is the cynical notion that “this won’t work,” won’t achieve the desired result.

Personally, I think all these things together, over time, whether they’re protests, writing or calling political representatives or people in power, or boycotts, or whatever, are all pieces of the overall puzzle, and that together, if done consistently and persistently by enough people, it will help and change things.

No one action is a magic pill that solves it all, but it’s all part of the machine of change.

I’ve heard the same arguments my friend has heard.

“Protests don’t work.”

“My representatives don’t listen to my calls or read what I have to say.”

“Boycotts are a waste of time.”

“The national situation is too bad for us to change it now.”

“No one ever changes their mind.”

“Showing up to town halls is just political theater.”

I could go.

The number of people who exert more effort discounting effective protest and political action rather than use the same effort to actually do something about our situation is sadly larger than I’d like.

Also, I must admit when I hear such protestations, I think to myself that they’re trying to justify their lack of action and engagement. Maybe that’s not always true, but it sure seems to be the case far too often in my experience. Those who seem to lob the biggest negatives are the ones I perceive doing the least.

Anyway, my friend is correct that no one action is going to be the magic pill that solves it all. All of the many types of resistance taken together absolutely have a significant effect on moving the political needle a bit more toward justice and democracy. It’s not about one single action. It’s the massive overall effect of multiple actions on multiple fronts and the cultural mindset shifts they bring about that will ultimately be what saves our democracy and protects our freedoms and civil rights.

History is replete with examples of tyrants, dictators, and authoritarian regimes being toppled. When not toppled, they’ve been hobbled to the point that they were eventually beaten in elections or through other changes in power structures.

So, if you’re in engaged and taking action, keep it up. If not, please consider joining the resistance in some way. Even tiny actions taken every day add up to reclaiming power for the people.

Check out my post, “Citizen Power: Turning Advocacy Into Impact.” I update it regularly with actionable resistance tasks and useful information and resources.

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