I’ve been thinking more about apoliticism lately. In its complete privilege. In confronting the staggering number of eligible voters who do not vote. In the desperation for neutrality (in our companies, organization, lives) or maybe just the desperation not to feel the rage and conflict and exhaustion that comes with even conversations about politics.
But nearly everything is political. @soyouwanttotalkabout had a great post on his yesterday that’s worth scrolling through.
Today this Glennon Doyle passage from Untamed came to mind again as she reflected on the work her non-profit, Together Rising, was doing:
“When I started looking upstream, I learned that where there is great suffering, there is often great profit. Now when I encounter someone who is struggling to stay afloat, I know to first ask, “How can I help you right now?” Then, when she is safe and dry, to ask, “What institution or person is benefiting from your suffering?”
Every philanthropist, if she is paying attention, eventually becomes an activist. If we do not, we risk becoming codependent with power—saving the system’s victims while the system collects the profits, then pats us on the head for our service. We become injustice’s foot soldiers.”
I think this strikes at the heart of some cognitive dissonance people can play when they give to charitable organizations but then actively vote against solving the systematic problems that lead to the need for some charitable organizations in the first place. Is it really about helping people then or the performance of it? Are you really paying attention?
I feel like I’m learning more right now than any other point in my adult life. And it’s really fucking painful and hard and I’m still so scared of getting it wrong or making it about me or not doing enough. But I’m also really fucking angry. Protestors being kidnapped off the streets in unmarked vans by our government. Black people continuing to be incarcerated in mass in modern-day slavery. 150,000 people dead. And so many people, silent, silent, silent, nearly half of white people reporting that they’re voting for Trump in November.
Philanthropists, listen to Glennon: it’s time to become an activist too.
With Love,
Natalie