Why can’t I be happy sitting in the pew and doing a little something to help out at church? Why can’t I be content to be a part of community association and help out at various fundraisers? Why can’t I become a part of the system and just shut up? Look at all of the people who just love their involvement in these kinds of activities. What’s wrong with me?
I really do wonder about me from time to time. But, it’s not just me! Time Magazine’s person of the year is the protestor. Most of the protests seem to be directed toward unresponsive governments and corporations, but there is something much, much bigger happening.
We live in a time when there has come to be an unsustainable gap between our societal institutions and the people they supposedly serve. Most of the people feeling this tension are not protesting. Instead, they are complaining a little here and there and wondering at times if they are crazy because other people seem to be just fine with the way things are.
Their experience with church, community service, customer service, education, government, and other institutions has left them feeling shut out. That’s good because it may well be easier to give birth than to raise the dead. I believe that being disenfranchised and having solidarity with others who are disenfranchised and getting angry about injustices and unresponsiveness is very good, if leads us from criticism to creativity.
Back to original question about why I am no longer willing to blend in with some existing social structures.
- I am not heard nor respected.
- The chances for paradigm shift are very small.
What do I do that spooks people?
- I ask questions that are threatening to their mode of operation.
- I look at things from the perspective of an outsider, rather than an insider.
- I dream big.
And I don’t plan on changing!
Originally posted December 14, 2011.
