Neighbor, I usually write lengthy descriptions of my podcast episodes, but this time I think I’ll keep it simple and encourage you to listen (or read the transcript) instead.
The position I offer up here is that, in addition to developing local networks of support for ourselves and our vulnerable neighbors, we have some important evangelizing to do. I’m not talking about a religious message but a human one.
When we share the truth of our experience, we not only reclaim narrative ground but we also can light the way back to our shared humanity.
I understand if you think this is maybe too “woo woo,” but I’m not wrong here. If stories weren’t so powerful then fascist elites wouldn’t have bought up all the television stations and newspapers— nor would they flood online spaces with bots, trolls, and rigged algorithms that incite helplessness, isolation, and outrage. For decades, fascist elites have flooded the zone with shit to knock us out of alignment with each other. They do that so they can stay in power and, to do that, they need to control the narrative— and not even just the official story: they want to control what we think and what we say, because they are terrified of our stories.
Why?
Because authentic stories that lead people back to their shared humanity and values reclaim the power from fascist elites. Their stories cannot compare to ours. Our light is bright— all of us.
Fascist elites also have spend billions telling you that your voice doesn’t matter, that no one cares how you feel or about what’s on your mind. Fascist elites need you to believe that there are two intractable teams, and once someone is on the other team they’re unreachable. Neighbor, that’s fascist elite propaganda, because they know your stories will pierce the veil so they don’t even want you to try.
That’s why they go after writers, teachers, artists, musicians, journalists, and many other neighbors who light the path back to right relationship. And right relationship is quite literally the antidote to fascism. There’s a reason why people say campaigns (and wars) are won through hearts and minds. Neighbor, we are at war— one that is not only political and physical but also spiritual in its violence.
It is time to start recognizing that story, art, emotion, authenticity, hope— all these things have been so thoroughly shamed out of us precisely so that people in power can stay in power. The very things those in power have attempted to mock, marginalize, and discount as “weak,” “trivial,” and “unimportant” are exactly the opposite. They don’t want you to access your power so they have spent centuries convincing you and your story don’t matter.
They don’t just matter: they’re the source of our power.
If you wanna find a way back to your story, check out the podcast. I think it might be one of my better ones. (Maybe.)
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