I’ve written plenty about the lessons I learned during my time as a high-profile “activist.” The “left” I knew back then was not yet the cesspool of hypocrites it is now but… the signs were already there.
No matter labels such as left or right, if someone is working to better their neighborhood, and people who surround them, that is winning in activism, and it goes by many names in the West, though I notice real life changing people always get badmouthed as they focus on facts, instead of ideology.
Facts vary from: this thing I do, I build with my hands or I connect with my feet benefits me and people around me, to doing this overtime has benefitted my community, whether via a small business, or again community connection shaping and so on..... many ways of doing stuff that ends up working, not one size fits all.... thankfully people vary from place to place and culture and community.
14. Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.
15. Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are.
I keep re-reading this passage, because his words are so POWERFUL. Imagine the Son of God calling someone a son of hell? That's beyond a sick burn. That's an existential threat.
And yet here we are, witnessing that exact Pharisee behavior in the "Truther" community. How dreadful, to know that Jesus would've called them sons of hell.
Yes, martyr activists with the same venomous frequency as “the other side” do no good. Still, IMO courage to speak truth is different than willful deception and power grabs like teachers of written law over GOD’s law. Change happens inside first and certain truthers are one possible stop on the course to realizing that IMO.
Thank you, Christine. If I'm reading you correctly, I will clarify that I am not targeting those sincere souls who unknowingly share false info. I've done that myself and fear I will again.
Ha, I think we agree in certain ways and maybe missing each other in others. To me truthers are often synonymous with conspiracy realists/ awake. But it doesn’t matter. Solipsism or whatnot, true to ourselves is what matters IMO (heart and soul not ego)
Americans (and other nationalities) pride themselves on being rugged individualists. True or not, we are faced with BOTH a herd mentality and a failed attempt to herd cats.
As you say, many activist movements ( you name the special interest group) are interested in self-anointment as saviors, cannot stomach activist competition and are not below sabotage. “Charismatic leaders” are often malignant narcissists in disguise. They are the ones who perpetuate the vicious cycle. I don’t see a way out of the conundrum in our “me first” society.
Well said. When we individuate and don’t need to be seen as a good girl or good boy and just do things because it’s right for us without asking permission or seeking recognition then we’ve grown up.
I fully agree with both of you. Modeling by example and being a free-thinker is right. But even when we lead from behind, work behind the scenes (where you get a lot more done and without interference) and let others take credit (credit is the least of our troubles), the envy is enough to drive you to drink. It took me at least 20 years to accept that unsavory reality.
That meme... where the kings advisor tells the king, just make the pitchfork people think that the torch people are coming for their pitchforks....yea, that one.
For the big NGOs, performative activism is a good business model. They rely on funding from people who are committed to the status quo, but want it slightly improved. Those donors can be satisfied with a splashy effort to "raise consciousness".
Excellent essay! If I actually solve the problem, I am out of work!
In the 50 since "the War on Poverty", U.S. taxpayers have spent over $22 trillion on anti-poverty programs. A trillion dollars is an unimaginable amount of money! Where did it go? Into pockets of corrupt officials!
"Los Angeles County spends close to $1 billion a year caring for and managing homeless people, with a majority of the money going to their health needs, according to a new report."
Today's protests make me laugh. They are all astroturf. And mostly angry mobs, like Antifa and the Trans Agenda. And they're funded by Soros. OWS was probably even engineered. Marching does nothing. Organizing locally does, and not "demonstrating" but working with local councils on actual issues.
You stated it perfectly, Tl. Thank you.
No matter labels such as left or right, if someone is working to better their neighborhood, and people who surround them, that is winning in activism, and it goes by many names in the West, though I notice real life changing people always get badmouthed as they focus on facts, instead of ideology.
I hear you, Deb, and I concur.
Also, on your last point, I find myself pondering lately about how rarely facts cause people to mobilize.
Facts vary from: this thing I do, I build with my hands or I connect with my feet benefits me and people around me, to doing this overtime has benefitted my community, whether via a small business, or again community connection shaping and so on..... many ways of doing stuff that ends up working, not one size fits all.... thankfully people vary from place to place and culture and community.
Another relevant banger from Jesus:
Matthew 23
14. Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.
15. Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are.
b a n g e r
🙏
I keep re-reading this passage, because his words are so POWERFUL. Imagine the Son of God calling someone a son of hell? That's beyond a sick burn. That's an existential threat.
And yet here we are, witnessing that exact Pharisee behavior in the "Truther" community. How dreadful, to know that Jesus would've called them sons of hell.
It's heartbreaking to recognize how little has been learned but also motivating to keep evolving and sharing.
Yes, martyr activists with the same venomous frequency as “the other side” do no good. Still, IMO courage to speak truth is different than willful deception and power grabs like teachers of written law over GOD’s law. Change happens inside first and certain truthers are one possible stop on the course to realizing that IMO.
Thank you, Christine. If I'm reading you correctly, I will clarify that I am not targeting those sincere souls who unknowingly share false info. I've done that myself and fear I will again.
Ha, I think we agree in certain ways and maybe missing each other in others. To me truthers are often synonymous with conspiracy realists/ awake. But it doesn’t matter. Solipsism or whatnot, true to ourselves is what matters IMO (heart and soul not ego)
Excellent! This needs to be recited to the numerous false prophets that make billions off their clueless victims. With no effect.
"To whom shall I speak and give warning
That they may hear?
Behold, their ears are closed
And they cannot listen.
Behold, the word of the Lord has become a reproach to them;
They have no delight in it." - Jeremiah 6:10
🙏
Yes, thanks. Looking at secondary gains for changes not happening illuminates a lot. And important respecting someone’s free will and path.
Right on, MZ.
Americans (and other nationalities) pride themselves on being rugged individualists. True or not, we are faced with BOTH a herd mentality and a failed attempt to herd cats.
As you say, many activist movements ( you name the special interest group) are interested in self-anointment as saviors, cannot stomach activist competition and are not below sabotage. “Charismatic leaders” are often malignant narcissists in disguise. They are the ones who perpetuate the vicious cycle. I don’t see a way out of the conundrum in our “me first” society.
Thanks, Lucine...I know you've seen this in action, too.
And yes, I sometimes wonder where the way out is. But until I can find that path, I continue living as a free agent and leading by example.
Well said. When we individuate and don’t need to be seen as a good girl or good boy and just do things because it’s right for us without asking permission or seeking recognition then we’ve grown up.
I fully agree with both of you. Modeling by example and being a free-thinker is right. But even when we lead from behind, work behind the scenes (where you get a lot more done and without interference) and let others take credit (credit is the least of our troubles), the envy is enough to drive you to drink. It took me at least 20 years to accept that unsavory reality.
Yep. We even have those who speak out against the COVID shots now talking about how to make mRNA safe, lol.
It's almost like they were in the movement for some other purpose besides truth?
Maybe they serve too many masters.
Maybe it was never a "movement."
That meme... where the kings advisor tells the king, just make the pitchfork people think that the torch people are coming for their pitchforks....yea, that one.
🎯🎯🎯🎯
For the big NGOs, performative activism is a good business model. They rely on funding from people who are committed to the status quo, but want it slightly improved. Those donors can be satisfied with a splashy effort to "raise consciousness".
Indeed, NGOs and non-profits learned plenty from the Pharisees!
Excellent essay! If I actually solve the problem, I am out of work!
In the 50 since "the War on Poverty", U.S. taxpayers have spent over $22 trillion on anti-poverty programs. A trillion dollars is an unimaginable amount of money! Where did it go? Into pockets of corrupt officials!
"Los Angeles County spends close to $1 billion a year caring for and managing homeless people, with a majority of the money going to their health needs, according to a new report."
https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-county-homelessness-spending-20160205-
story.html#:~:text=Officials%20last%20spring%20reported%20that%20the%20city%20of,people%2C%20the%20city%20said%20in%20its%2021-page%20report.
Again. There are still homeless. Where did all the money go?
Today's protests make me laugh. They are all astroturf. And mostly angry mobs, like Antifa and the Trans Agenda. And they're funded by Soros. OWS was probably even engineered. Marching does nothing. Organizing locally does, and not "demonstrating" but working with local councils on actual issues.
I concur, Vida, but I saw all the same delusions in action when I attended anti-vax and anti-mandate "protests" in 2021.
Amen.