"Being a Wolf Amongst Sheep"
on activism and those who agree with the cause but impede progress through inaction
©2001 David J Rust

"Getting worked up about current events is pointless; everything will work out for the best in the end."

This paraphrased comment, so succinctly stated by a close friend, underscores one of the most frustrating problems a person in our society must face. Even if an individual does not call themselves an "activist", the motivation to change the environment is universal. Every person strives to ease pains, improve lives and take steps toward more stable ground; this is the unstated goal of just about every bit of activism whether aimed at one's own life or towards the lives of others. However, when you use the terms "fighting for rights", "grassroots efforts" or "reform activism", the image of sign-waving, we envision cadres of 60's radicals.

And, to be fair, why shouldn't we? Many stirring reforms and positive changes had their roots in the 1960's. The trouble is that -for many people- those images are disturbing.

I think the roots of this reaction to activism lie in the human desire for stability. It's not that humans are inherently lazy, but we -as a species- don't tend to rock the boat unless we're actively in jeopardy. We make great efforts to reduce our stress and make our world more predictable. The presence of people around us who demonstrate strong emotions about their lives and problems seems to aggravate those who have it better off. After all, aren't we supposed to help those in need? Aren't we taught to stand side-by-side with those who are downtrodden and suffering?

This is the problem. There are so many concerns that our multi-media world presents to us, that we are constantly feeling as if we are not doing our share. We look around us and -no matter where we are- we see signs that things are not as good as they could be for someone. And this observation rankles us; it fosters the view that we would be spread too thin to make any appreciable change despite our inherent desire to make things better in our world. Instead, we start to lash out at those mustering for reform. Because they represent "doing something" while we sit idly by, stymied by the massive amount of changes that need addressing, we resent those who take part in activism and demonize their efforts as "rabble-rousing", "law-breaking" and "rocking-the-boat". True, violence and upheaval are sometimes the painful truth and pain is almost always the result. But, whether we admit it or not, each of us does get involved to some extent in some form of reform activity, and we must recognize that the stereotypes of violent, Kent-State-like confrontations are -by and large- in the minority.

People talk to friends about their beliefs. They vote in elections. They may even write a letter to congress or a corporation to voice their concerns. But they aren't "activists"; heaven's, no! In their minds, this is simply being responsible or "normal". To them, their activism is restricted to small, everyday concerns and does not qualify being called such since it does not fit the stereotype of the sign-waving gatherings of our popular culture.

The trouble is, many of these people stay silent or removed from big causes out of the fear of being demonized and placed into the activist stereotype. They don't want to be seen as rabble-rousers; after all, they are good, solid, respectable people! And so, paralyzed by both the scope of the world's problems and their own fear of being considered a "radical", they do nothing more than what they can rationalize as everyday life.

Now, fear is something I understand. I see it around me in the faces of those who are threatened by religious minorities. I see it when a white businessman crosses the street in order to avoid having to walk by a group of black teenagers. I see it when I look into the mirror and find myself at odds with the vast array of responsibilities I have taken on. We all feel fear, so -in my mind- it isn't something to be condemned.

Rather, fear is something to be channeled, used or resisted. To allow fear to goad us into inaction is as much a demon of our common paralysis as comfort and the desire for stasis. These two forces, by contrast, are the ones that I loathe. We can control our complacency and challenge ourselves, if only we have the courage. And it's not the sort of courage that fear can permanently impede. Rather, it's the courage that rises from knowing that we must do right in the face of overwhelming comfort. We have to risk what we have in order to improve the lot of those who don't have it yet. We have to risk what we possess in order to possess even more ... to possess the universal standards of living that are denied to so many.

Now, keep in mind, this is an impossible task.

Like the unstated goal of each and every doctor out there to stymie and defeat Death, achieving universal equality and opportunity for all people is impossible. However, look at all that has been accomplished in striving towards such impossible goals!

Not everything we have done in our pursuit to cheat Death has been admirable or good. And not everything we do in our goals to help our fellow humans will be something to be proud of. But, over time, we achieve more good than ill as long as we strive to maintain true equality.

Those who sit back and say that everything will be all right are fools. They either allow their fears to paralyze them or their complacency to still their inherent objections to the injustices of the world. Worst of all, the ranks of these people are growing.

As residents of planet Terra and adherents to the Democratic principles of freedom, equality and opportunity, it is incumbent upon us to do more than just sit back, open a beer and watch Monday Night Football. No, we cannot change everything and we should be prepared to recognize this crusade as an impossible one. But most activists -those who will call themselves "activists"- take on only what they can handle. Others can do the same.

You don't have to march in Gay Pride Parades or join the crowd down at the capitol building. You don't have to go confront the corrupt politicians or police officers. You don't have to gather food for homeless shelters, donate money to Habitat For Humanity or join a group of volunteers cleaning up local parks. But don't demonize or discount the actions of those who do.

People who change the world through their actions -even if they make a part of you feel guilty- are not the problem. Rather, take that small feeling inside you as a guide to do something ... even one thing. No matter how little money you have or how insignificant you think you are, the combined hands of a community of like-minded people can move mountains. Even if an individual cannot stem the tide of every problem they see, they can take a stand against a handful.

In the end, its all we can do. Stand up and get involved. Hold a position and allow yourself to become impassioned. Show respect for those who are doing jobs you are not. In the end, even if there is no agreement on what needs to be done, we can at least motivate ourselves to become involved and try to take our world in a positive direction.

We may not beat Death, but the road we take while attempting it can yield some amazing results.

©2001 David J Rust