There is understandably a propensity to fear when you realize how the world truly is ruled by slavery and violence. This fear can be especially infectious when one first learns that nearly everything they have been told about society is a lie. It is fairly common for someone to think that the sky is falling when they begin their path in activism, but many soon learn that they have merely discovered a situation that has existed in the same basic function since many ages ago. At this point, they can move on in their research towards finding empowering solutions, both in their personal growth and their impact on those around them.
Sadly, there is a sizeable group that struggles to escape the fear-based mindset as they continue their research and activism. Some people stay trapped in this mindset for years, some for their entire lives. This does not mean that we should stray from scary or negative topics, there is some very messed up stuff going on in this world, and we need to face it head-on with a healthy level of fear. However, we do not want this fear to distract us from solutions, or to keep us so apathetic that we do not seek solutions out.
All too often, when solutions-oriented activists suggest that action needs to be taken, whether it be through protest, defensive armament, agorism or other means, the fear-based activists will be quick to tell us that our actions will bring us closer to disaster, or that they will spark the final showdown that will result in the total genocide and/or enslavement of humanity. It should be easy to see how this thinking can be paralyzing and counter productive.
What we are going through right now may seem crazy and unusual, but really it’s nothing new. Sure, it is true that the paradigm that we live under is currently in a free fall to collapse, but this has been a long time comin’, and it has happened to nearly every civilization that has ever erected a palace and asserted authority over large groups of people. This type of system is out of line with the natural balance, and will never last, this is a simple fact of life.
For this, we have every reason to make any and all preparations that we deem to be necessary, but we should not be consumed by fear to the point where we are considering violence or nihilism. The reason why there is so much fear surrounding the obvious downfall of our civilization is because people have grown detached from their communities and have lost their ability to be self-sufficient.
Fear can be an extremely healthy thing that can motivate us to seek solutions, and that is exactly how the feeling should be reacted to. Fear can also be an unhealthy thing when it overwhelms them and drives them to believe that no solutions are even possible.
John Vibes writes for True Activist and is an author, researcher and investigative journalist who takes a special interest in the counter-culture and the drug war.
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