Opposing oppression in daily life
My friend Sam just released a new video about things you can do in your every day life to resist fascism and systems of oppression.
Some quick notes from my first watch…
There’s a scale of resistance. Most folks start at step 1. Ideally, you work your way up the scale over time.
- Recognizing systems of oppression, but doing nothing to fix them.
- Signaling your values. This happens a lot on social media, but can also happen IRL through pins and badges, logos on your clothes, and so on.
- Educate and support. Teach folks who are still in step 1. Support people financially or with your time and labor.
- Sneaky non-compliance. See below.
- Overt resistance. Refusing to let ICE into your building. Striking against your company if they contribute to oppressive systems.
While non-compliance can be overt, it’s often a lot more subtle.
- Do not comply in advance (wait until you’re explicitly asked)
- Delay for as long as possible
- “Forget” to do something
- Misplace instructions, paperwork, and so on
- “Let me get back to you” (then don’t)
- Bog things down in paperwork and rules
- Be “a Karen for good!”
Go watch Sam’s whole video. Lots of concrete examples!
I’ve also built up a whole section in my digital garden around building a better world.