Old or Disabled? Think You Can't Be in the Resistance?
Your Contributions Are Still Needed
Friends, as the meaning of the word “resistance" slowly becomes more clear, and as we figure out HOW, I have begun to consider an issue that has come into my field of view several times.
The problem of how to be an active member of the opposition when you are older, weaker, or disabled in some way. I know I am not combat ready. Even a big protest could exceed my physical capabilities.
And if this gets into hot war territory I would be more hindrance then help.
I know a bunch of us feel the same. So, what to do?
First, understand support roles. I can cook in big quantities. I can provide shelter. I have a bit of herbal lore under my belt. I survived the street days of the late 60s and 70s and still know how to make do.
These are all contributions that I and many older people can make.
But there is more. Being a consigliere, a wise ear, and a strategist are all possible even to the physically challenged.
And, at least for me, I can write. Articulating the positions of anti-fascism is valuable. Conceptualizing the better world that could be is valuable.
Even just BEING what you are, having the value system you do is adding to the strength of the resistance. This war is being fought on many levels, and the intellectual and spiritual are two of them. You can be spiritually aligned with regeneration, justice, and freedom right up to your last breath.
So whatever you can do is valuable.
And consider this--the young and strong will tell you they fight for the most vulnerable. That may mean you. If so, you are giving meaning and honor to those more able to fight. Just appreciate it. That is both a motivator for our young comrades and a gift that costs us nothing.
It takes a vast coalition to win a struggle this big. We old people have our part to play.
My New Gray Panther Army. we are old. We are patriotic. We March in the street. We March pass the White House. We turn our backs to the White House in unison. We bend over and all 500 of us fart. The stench will knock over any MAGA personal within range.
I had a conversation with my mom about this recently. She has mobility issues and not much confidence in being able to help with much. What will always stay with me around this is that someone I used to serve with on a NPO board told me a story about how his mom was an amazing community organized - even while being bed ridden. She would call people up, coordinate things, share info, connect others, all from her bed. Most people can do something small, and small gestures and actions add up.