Rebecca Solnit on the silver lining of this chaotic, incompetent authoritarianism. Plus: resistance, coalition-building, purity politics, hope, gathering, and roses
I Uber in and around DC, helping 60 people a week arrive safely at the next destination in their personal journey. Something new has happened this week - people are opening up! They’re starting to recover from the shock and awe, the flooding of the zone, the intentional chaos and they want to talk. They want to share and bond!
Some have lost their jobs; almost all federal, contract and non profit workers still employed live in fear they will be next. Many are seeking community and I direct them to Substack and The.Ink.
Thank you for posting this. According to Timothy Snyder (among others), the reason European reporters were able to "sense" the danger in the air was because they attended rallies and kept their eyes and ears wide open to observe a frenzied movement in the making . . . a cult . . . .
Agreed. And, @Debbie Kitchen, I also think that we need more workplace democracy, as a significant sphere where people can learn about democracy -- not necessarily voting for representatives, but definitely collaborative problem-solving where everyone's voices can be heard. AND we also need much more of a curb on the unlimited power of CEO's... more of a social contract where companies need to contribute to social well-being, otherwise their charters are revoked... which of course is why the techbroligarchs are seeking to destroy government...
I am being visible in my resistance. I have made my front lawn a billboard of messages. I have had people stop and thank me. It makes them know there is a resistance and people not afraid of speaking up. I would love to see lawn signs, signs in windows everywhere. We are the patriots defending America
Agreed, @constance... I would also add a note of caution re the word "stupid"... that word is not particularly useful when attempting to do outreach for bridge-building / coalition-building / expanding our base. Then there's that saying (don't recall who originated it?) about "never underestimate the intelligence of your opponent".) Yes, there has been a tremendous amount of bumbling, which many of us are grateful for... AND, there are some extremely bright folks who are currently on the "dark side", including Peter Thiel and Curtis Yarvin... so let's be vigilant, strategic, and, respectful... hard as it may be to do the last of those, when so many of us have been disrespected. (Even more reason to do so....)
I wholeheartedly agree with you. I also feel that assuming they are stupid is a mistake. I feel it’s part of the strategy to create chaos and confusion.
Oh my. I just listened to this video with Rebecca. So So powerful and motivating! Thank you. I 100 percent agree the Dems need more proactive leaders. My Orwell's roses - actually my rose garden - over 100 of them - my way to decompress..
Seems like they are acting by do everything they can and see what they get away with. Not sure it’s stupid as opposed to preplanned mass chaos, disruption, theft and cut public be dammed. This is for the kleptocrat billionaires and a Russian style of capture money, control, other countries, people on speed.
Sorry, don’t see joyful aspect. There are grave issues from the regime that have killed people, women, and will continue to do so. I will be joyful about the wins from our resistance. Wins that see the regime being destroyed. We are far from that.
There is joy in resistance. It's in the new relationships and connections we make, the community we build, and our re-imagining together the kind of world we want to make.
For me, that will come after our resistance actually has an effect on the business at hand—dismantling the coup and fascist regime. There is natural pleasure in socializing for a common cause. But I have often seen it replace the real focus on coming together. And that is distracting and very dangerous.
I find the connections I am making with people new to the movement, and how my relationships with those I've been organizing with for years have deepened, incredibly joyful, the results of our work notwithstanding. I think the danger is in latching on to grumpiness and anger as a strategy and way of being until we win. Not good for the body, or the movement.
Again, as I said to the other comment, there is a natural satisfaction and connection in fighting for a communal cause. Be joyful about it if u want. My respect for those who have died from fascist Maga policies and those who continue to is more important to me. I am in despair for them and all of us. I don’t apologize for it, nor will I focus on my joy as the “prize” or silver lining from others’ suffering. If u feel the need to call that grumpy, why u go right ahead. You do you.
As destabilizing as this time is, I am finding energy and resolve in envisioning building a better world of true equity and the things that Rebecca mentioned. There is movement building to do. Underneath smoldering ashes are usually sparks ready to burn bright. I am not just holding onto that, I am fighting for it. We need to lead and bring government with us instead of waiting for them. We are doing it, just need to do more. We can do this, because “we” is all we have. As Americans, it’s also who we are. Let’s remember that and practice a politics of abundance and nothing less. ❤️
Bernie is demonstrating that the platitude of MAGA are deeply criminal and destructive when narratives demonstrate human experience as a real consequence in clear language . In this way the authoritarians stete is exposed for its platitudes masking / and causing oppression rather than propogsnda claiming it is the solution . Havel discussed this at length in his essays about resistance in Czech Republic .
Love your observation, Anand, about needing more anger and more joy. I feel like these are actually quite related. We need the anger that goes with honesty to name the injustice and the joy goes with the fight of speaking out for what we lovey.
2. Everyone has a voice. Capture it, record it, on one of these 'smart phone' things, and send it to at least one other person. What's to record? Simple: "Can you tell me a story of something you've learnt that matters to you?" That's all for starters. (More anon ...)
brilliant, Roy... great practice in reflective and empathic listening, which are key movement-building tools... and while simple, not always so easy to do. Along these lines, you may want to check out and share the free resources and learning & practice opportunities at the Empathy Circle website... https://www.empathycircle.com/
I so appreciate Solnit's comment about building a new coalition. My best friend and I say this all the time, from the great Maya Angelou - When you know better, do better. The only answer I make to disillusioned Trump voters on social media is "Welcome, glad to have you. How can we help?"
Loved her description of govt and its intent at its best anyway. However I must take some exception to the stupid coup. Yes appearing to be stupid looking but what if the intent is not to fix things but to disrupt. Yes musk/trump are power predators with no real concept of representative govt but they love power in their hands. This they are doing by smoke mirrors lies and chaos. These are the tools of fascism. I do wonder if we are asking the wrong question and or looking at the content
And
Not
Seeing the bowl and the carefully laid out agenda of heritage group
And 2025 and the remaking of our govt in their image and
Vance and the carefully placed Beasley and Vought (sp) and the so many things happening we are not seeing or asking ?s about. So what is or are the right ?s and I like Anger well placed. ANGER well yesterday I was angry yesterday and so I made a new protest poster and took a
Great interview, appreciate Solnit’s repetition: we have power and need to use it. She’s so right about language and framing, DOGE is not about efficiency. On that note, I do wish the left would stop using the phrase: redistribute wealth; the right has framed that as an unfair taking of one’s money and giving it to people not smart or capable enough to make their own mini-fortunes. Easy to replace with: we need an economy that works for more than the owing class, or a more democratic economy, or an economy that values/rewards workers for the role they play in generating profits.
As upset as I am about what Trump/Musk &CO are doing, I become really infuriated when I received an Update email from my “representative” that’s “business as usual” with no mention of what is really happening.
Go to the March marches. the 14th, 15th and 16 in DC at noon. Try one, try them all we need you to give your voice loudly and clearly to tell "them" what you think of what they are doing.
I Uber in and around DC, helping 60 people a week arrive safely at the next destination in their personal journey. Something new has happened this week - people are opening up! They’re starting to recover from the shock and awe, the flooding of the zone, the intentional chaos and they want to talk. They want to share and bond!
Some have lost their jobs; almost all federal, contract and non profit workers still employed live in fear they will be next. Many are seeking community and I direct them to Substack and The.Ink.
Thank you for posting this. According to Timothy Snyder (among others), the reason European reporters were able to "sense" the danger in the air was because they attended rallies and kept their eyes and ears wide open to observe a frenzied movement in the making . . . a cult . . . .
This is great to hear. Thank you for sharing!!
Government is not a business and that’s the wrong headed thinking of many!
Agreed. And, @Debbie Kitchen, I also think that we need more workplace democracy, as a significant sphere where people can learn about democracy -- not necessarily voting for representatives, but definitely collaborative problem-solving where everyone's voices can be heard. AND we also need much more of a curb on the unlimited power of CEO's... more of a social contract where companies need to contribute to social well-being, otherwise their charters are revoked... which of course is why the techbroligarchs are seeking to destroy government...
I am being visible in my resistance. I have made my front lawn a billboard of messages. I have had people stop and thank me. It makes them know there is a resistance and people not afraid of speaking up. I would love to see lawn signs, signs in windows everywhere. We are the patriots defending America
Okay, they are incompetent as leaders/managers, but they are extremely bold and competent as grifters.
Agreed, @constance... I would also add a note of caution re the word "stupid"... that word is not particularly useful when attempting to do outreach for bridge-building / coalition-building / expanding our base. Then there's that saying (don't recall who originated it?) about "never underestimate the intelligence of your opponent".) Yes, there has been a tremendous amount of bumbling, which many of us are grateful for... AND, there are some extremely bright folks who are currently on the "dark side", including Peter Thiel and Curtis Yarvin... so let's be vigilant, strategic, and, respectful... hard as it may be to do the last of those, when so many of us have been disrespected. (Even more reason to do so....)
I wholeheartedly agree with you. I also feel that assuming they are stupid is a mistake. I feel it’s part of the strategy to create chaos and confusion.
Oh my. I just listened to this video with Rebecca. So So powerful and motivating! Thank you. I 100 percent agree the Dems need more proactive leaders. My Orwell's roses - actually my rose garden - over 100 of them - my way to decompress..
Seems like they are acting by do everything they can and see what they get away with. Not sure it’s stupid as opposed to preplanned mass chaos, disruption, theft and cut public be dammed. This is for the kleptocrat billionaires and a Russian style of capture money, control, other countries, people on speed.
Sorry, don’t see joyful aspect. There are grave issues from the regime that have killed people, women, and will continue to do so. I will be joyful about the wins from our resistance. Wins that see the regime being destroyed. We are far from that.
There is joy in resistance. It's in the new relationships and connections we make, the community we build, and our re-imagining together the kind of world we want to make.
For me, that will come after our resistance actually has an effect on the business at hand—dismantling the coup and fascist regime. There is natural pleasure in socializing for a common cause. But I have often seen it replace the real focus on coming together. And that is distracting and very dangerous.
I find the connections I am making with people new to the movement, and how my relationships with those I've been organizing with for years have deepened, incredibly joyful, the results of our work notwithstanding. I think the danger is in latching on to grumpiness and anger as a strategy and way of being until we win. Not good for the body, or the movement.
Again, as I said to the other comment, there is a natural satisfaction and connection in fighting for a communal cause. Be joyful about it if u want. My respect for those who have died from fascist Maga policies and those who continue to is more important to me. I am in despair for them and all of us. I don’t apologize for it, nor will I focus on my joy as the “prize” or silver lining from others’ suffering. If u feel the need to call that grumpy, why u go right ahead. You do you.
As destabilizing as this time is, I am finding energy and resolve in envisioning building a better world of true equity and the things that Rebecca mentioned. There is movement building to do. Underneath smoldering ashes are usually sparks ready to burn bright. I am not just holding onto that, I am fighting for it. We need to lead and bring government with us instead of waiting for them. We are doing it, just need to do more. We can do this, because “we” is all we have. As Americans, it’s also who we are. Let’s remember that and practice a politics of abundance and nothing less. ❤️
Bernie is demonstrating that the platitude of MAGA are deeply criminal and destructive when narratives demonstrate human experience as a real consequence in clear language . In this way the authoritarians stete is exposed for its platitudes masking / and causing oppression rather than propogsnda claiming it is the solution . Havel discussed this at length in his essays about resistance in Czech Republic .
Love your observation, Anand, about needing more anger and more joy. I feel like these are actually quite related. We need the anger that goes with honesty to name the injustice and the joy goes with the fight of speaking out for what we lovey.
Thanks Rebecca and Anand. Keep on keeping on.
A few thoughts;
1. Whatever brings joy into your life, do it.
2. Everyone has a voice. Capture it, record it, on one of these 'smart phone' things, and send it to at least one other person. What's to record? Simple: "Can you tell me a story of something you've learnt that matters to you?" That's all for starters. (More anon ...)
Second attempt ...
3. Story Trees.
(This is the hard, and wonderful, part ...)
While they are telling a story ...
Record, Listen, and Write - in their exact words, no ifs, no buts, no why's, no wherefore's.
Anything they said which carried some feeling ...
Everyone take a few breaths.
Reflect: "You said .... (in their exact words) ... Is there anything you would
like to add about that place / time / feeling?"
('No' is always a valid answer. Trust takes time.)
Give / play / back the stories. They don't belong to you. (A week later is a good
time to do this)
(You can ask them if you can keep a copy)
brilliant, Roy... great practice in reflective and empathic listening, which are key movement-building tools... and while simple, not always so easy to do. Along these lines, you may want to check out and share the free resources and learning & practice opportunities at the Empathy Circle website... https://www.empathycircle.com/
I so appreciate Solnit's comment about building a new coalition. My best friend and I say this all the time, from the great Maya Angelou - When you know better, do better. The only answer I make to disillusioned Trump voters on social media is "Welcome, glad to have you. How can we help?"
SO key to have this welcoming attitude, Jackie!!!!
Loved her description of govt and its intent at its best anyway. However I must take some exception to the stupid coup. Yes appearing to be stupid looking but what if the intent is not to fix things but to disrupt. Yes musk/trump are power predators with no real concept of representative govt but they love power in their hands. This they are doing by smoke mirrors lies and chaos. These are the tools of fascism. I do wonder if we are asking the wrong question and or looking at the content
And
Not
Seeing the bowl and the carefully laid out agenda of heritage group
And 2025 and the remaking of our govt in their image and
Vance and the carefully placed Beasley and Vought (sp) and the so many things happening we are not seeing or asking ?s about. So what is or are the right ?s and I like Anger well placed. ANGER well yesterday I was angry yesterday and so I made a new protest poster and took a
Long break from pol info.
Great interview, appreciate Solnit’s repetition: we have power and need to use it. She’s so right about language and framing, DOGE is not about efficiency. On that note, I do wish the left would stop using the phrase: redistribute wealth; the right has framed that as an unfair taking of one’s money and giving it to people not smart or capable enough to make their own mini-fortunes. Easy to replace with: we need an economy that works for more than the owing class, or a more democratic economy, or an economy that values/rewards workers for the role they play in generating profits.
great suggestions...
As upset as I am about what Trump/Musk &CO are doing, I become really infuriated when I received an Update email from my “representative” that’s “business as usual” with no mention of what is really happening.
Go to the March marches. the 14th, 15th and 16 in DC at noon. Try one, try them all we need you to give your voice loudly and clearly to tell "them" what you think of what they are doing.