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#1 Defense against Authoritarianism? Circles of Community.
Those who lived in countries that were overtaken by authoritarian regimes shared their number one recommendation: Be connected to a group of people you know you can trust. This has always been humanity’s greatest strength as we evolved over the millennia facing huge survival challenges. Obviously, industrialization changed those realities. The natural world doesn’t pose as a great a risk to life as it once did. Today our greatest danger is other human beings, particular those dedicated to domination and control, and our greatest risks now will likely come in the effort to stand up to those in power. If You Want to Go Far, Go Together People have to…
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If you only have five minutes per day, there are still powerful actions you can take.
Seriously, there are many good reasons you may have little time for democratic action. Mothering children, working two or three jobs just to survive, coping with debilitating trauma or disease–the list is long. And, I will say, that if you belong in any of these groups (or several at once) you likely need the resources a true democracy can offer–protective social services, social justice, and affordable medical care, just to name a few. We can all contribute to the effort of creating freedom for the protection of all life, and, if we can, we need to do so. That is why having options that don’t require major lifting helps everyone…
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Boycotts Work!
If you need inspiration today, I recommend this potent read from one of my favorite activist leaders. Daniel Hunter is a Quaker and a giant in the strategic non-violence movement. He has authored valuable books on activism for social change. Additionally, he founded the platform Choose Democracy to prepare Americans for the possibility of a Trump Coup. As an international trainer in the field of Democracy building, his words, concepts, and expertise inspire thousands across the globe to act skillfully in combatting authoritarian power grabs. In short, he knows what he is talking about, so when he talks I enjoy listening. Daniel Hunter often pens essays for the platform Waging…
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If you love libraries and librarians, EveryLibrary could be your jam
Who doesn’t love libraries? Apparently, right-wing power-mongers. Libraries and librarians are under serious threat at the state and federal level. Perform a search under “rural libraries closing” and you will see a world on fire. According to recent reports it increasingly looks like America’s rural library systems are heading for collapse. Why? This administration has frozen all grant funding to libraries, archives and museums, and the effect on libraries is devastation. If you want to support something you can know with certainty is effective at mobilizing communities and achieving real, tangible results, here it is! EveryLibrary is as close to a superhero for the reading public as you can get.…
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Watch party: Grab your popcorn, relax, and learn how much community groups juice up democratic power.
Knowledge precedes change. Two decades ago Robert Putnam’s groundbreaking book, Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community, showed readers how fundamental community groups were to the health of democracies around the world. For a quick shot of inspiration into why this is true, you can start with this 2023 film that reviews the legacy of the book’s impact and examines the state of American community today: Join or Die: A Film About Why You Should Join a Club (And Why the Fate of America depends on it!). It is available on Netflix. Don’t just think. Do. Powerful ideas can create big waves of attention, but if these ideas…
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#1 Defense against Authoritarianism? Circles of Community.
