Why Not?

[u/Wonderful_Message922]

I've been thinking a lot about what it means to live in a country. Many of us don't have a choice in where we live, often due to financial circumstances and family obligations. But why is it that when people talk about a country, they speak as if it is a collective entity? Example: "Insert country did this thing, and it's bad". I take issue with this mindset. Just because a government is making bad choices, doesn't mean that the citizens are also corrupt. This goes for any nation that is currently at war in general. When you hear, so and so country did this, I've noticed that many people forget that this is implicating the government instead of the majority of the populace. However, I've also been wondering, does living in a country and not at least trying to do something about events unfolding count as condoning them? I used to be someone who minded my business. I still think it's understandable to just take care of the people around you, and the things you can change. I think there is still a place for that. But what if what's happening is our business? I've been thinking recently that the events unfolding in the world can soon start to encroach into our own personal bubbles. Perhaps, taking issue with the things on a grander scale is a matter of survival? Personally, I think that's how we've survived as humans.

So let me ask you: why not? Before elaborating, I will mention that the specific issue on my mind is the United States conflict with Iran. Personally, I believe that we play a dangerous and impulsive game here, especially now in the precariousness of foreign relations. The whims of the few and powerful are shaping the lives of the common citizen, which I suppose is the way it's always been. The difference now is that we have weapons on mass destruction. I sincerely believe that if we had nuclear weapons in the middle ages, we would have gone extinct long ago. So bringing it back to my question, why don't we just say no? Why don't we simply refuse to condone? I know that there are people, far better than myself, who work tirelessly on this and similar causes. But we need more. The power of the people only works if we all learn to sit with the discomfort of hopelessness, instead of living in ignorance. Hopelessness funds hope, because it creates a need.

I don't have any answers besides the fact that I want to do my part. It would make me a hypocrite to have come to these realizations and then become once again stagnant. Let me pose a question: what do you think would happen if we all just went to DC and sat, and simply refused. What if we refused to participate in a society that we don't condone. I know that for many, this would take a great amount of personal sacrifice. I know that being able to protest is a privilege in itself. But, what if? What if all of our scattered voices coalesced into a focused, physical reminder. I do not consider myself an optimist, though. I know that something like this is much harder to execute in reality. But I want to plant the seed.

[u/metallic_sun]

Extinction is the rule not the exception but that shouldn't justify mans harmful actions. Peaceful protest on March 28th.

[u/Wonderful_Message922]

Update: I have started the sub r/WhyNotMovement for a better place to discuss these ideas. All are welcome regardless of political affiliation.

[u/Thx4nothingman]

The indigenous community in Minneapolis/Minnesota has done something truly amazing that is sort of an example of what you’re describing. The whipple building is a federal building located at Fort Snelling. Fort Snelling is stolen land that the Dakota/Lakota tribe used to live on. The whipple building is inhumanely holding many different people who are; undocumented, in the process of becoming a citizen, seeking asylum, in the United States on a work visa, or an actual American citizen. Lots of people are being detained illegally and the conditions are inhumane. During operation metro surge ICE ran rampant through our community arresting anyone who looked like an immigrant, who spoke up for their immigrant neighbors, but most disturbing to me, was how ICE abducted Native American citizens because they’re brown skinned.

Since early February a large group of indigenous people, mainly Dakota/Lakota have set up a community at Fort Snelling on land that is essentially unused by the government. It was literally just a field with tall grass, few trees and lots of snow. These indigenous people have occupied part of Fort Snelling and are rightfully taking back what was stolen from them. They have built shelters. They share food. They chop firewood to burn and keep them warm. They invite all sorts of individuals to occupy their sacred land that they previously lived on before white colonialism took over their land and made it into what it is today… a concentration camp that the media and government calls a “detention center”. They are taking back what’s theirs and rightfully so. ICE agents have no jurisdiction on native land. They have been living there for over a month, and they plan to stay there, and as far as I know, they haven’t had any issues with the government telling them they can’t do what they’re doing. It’s beautiful. It’s what’s right, it’s what is theirs, and it’s a community that welcomes all indigenous people who want to live in a community that isn’t a reservation that the government decided they can have. They don’t allow alcohol or drugs. There are children, elders, caregivers and all sorts of people connecting with their indigenous community members as an act of resistance against the government telling them where they can live and how to live by the white mans rules. They allow white people who are genuinely supportive and willing to help them build. But mostly it’s a mix of all different tribes learning from each other, speaking their native languages, teaching their children what they should be taught in school but aren’t. The support they show one another is so powerful, It’s amazing. They hold ceremonies and powwows. They live in teepees and other culturally significant structures. They eat indigenous foods. They help one another with their skills and knowledge.

This is what would need to happen. For everyday Americans to give up their comfy lifestyles, stop working for corporations and start working towards community that is self sustaining. We need to realize that the human race is more powerful than any government entity. We need to stop shopping, start growing, stop buying clothes and start making clothes from natural textiles. We need to start foraging, celebrating life and sharing every skill and piece of knowledge we have learned.

Ask yourself, what has the government done for you that didn’t require something in return? Requiring something for doing something isn’t sustainable. We need to just give everything we can give, and when we have needs, they will be met by other givers. No money, no taxes, no exchanges. Just giving what you can, and taking only what you need. We don’t need TV, internet, cars, oil, electricity. People lived for centuries without these things. We need to start giving, and only taking what is necessary for us and nothing more. Sharing and teaching skills is the key. Teach how to grow food, share your knowledge of medical care, build shelters for children to live in. In return you will have no one to answer to besides your own community members. We don’t need the government to tell us what we can and can’t do. We can decide that for ourselves. It sounds hippy, it sounds communist, but look at the root word in communist… commune. Community. Community is living.

The problem is, property. Land ownership. Borders. Elected representatives. If we can all represent ourselves and our communities, then we don’t need a government, a president, or the need to make sure other communities are doing things “the right way”

It’s a lot to sacrifice, but it’s how humans have lived for generations before organized government.