When a man points a finger at someone else, he should remember that [three] of his fingers are pointing at himself.
– Louis Nizer
We blame the victim. In this case, that’s the 99 percent. It’s appropriate. Here’s why.
The 99 percent continually allows the swindle. Rarely have we not swallowed the bait that keeps us hooked into that which we complain about. Yes, we are complicit in our own oppression. Time and again we choose oppression over freedom, while claiming we’re free when we’re not. Then we get mad when we’re shown how un-free we are. We demonstrate, we vote. But remain un-free.
Why do we choose oppression over freedom? Why do we pursue capitalist wealth, luxuries we’re convinced we need to “look good,”? Why do we fall for politicians promising “safety and security and jobs” and the semblance of “peace, prosperity and democracy” instead of real freedom?
We, the 99 percent (which includes this author) fail to see, understand and neutralize strategies oppressive governments use to divide us. By “governments” I mean powerful people who successfully concentrate power then use that power to control everyone else through force, fear, propaganda, fraud and criminal acts.
At Copiosis, we’re very specific about what we mean by “power”. This gets close:
We the 99 percent think wealth equals power. Wealth isn’t power, but it helps facilitate it.
The 99 percent, including those protesting on the streets these days are like Dizzy Bat Players. We spin around dazed, attacking each other instead of doing something about what really prevents our real freedom.
Like the word power, we’re specific when we use words like “real freedom”. You probably think you know what freedom is. Let us suggest you don’t. Here’s what real freedom sounds like:
A person who is free can do nothing if that’s what they want to do. A person who wants to spend all their time learning to paint, play video games all day, or fish or whatever, can. And they can do those things (or anything else) without going hungry, living on the street, or getting care for their body (or mind) if necessary. If they’re free that is. They can also get all the education they need or want to learn or improve any skill while doing whatever they want without having to earn money to get those things. And…the person exercising their freedom can do so without anyone else having to do anything they don’t want to do to support that person.
That’s real freedom.
A brief look at our complicity
Just when we start to awaken, we take another swill of mind-numbing propaganda from the “right” or the “left” while relay racing on the hedonic treadmill.
What numbing propaganda are we referring to?
- The idea that a factual human category called “white” exists, when actually the idea was created in colonial America to control economic opportunity and oppress “non-whites”.
- It is widely believed Japan attacked the United States un-provoked at Pearl Harbor. However, we now know the US government provoked Japan into attacking the United States opening the door for US involvement in WWII.
- That America is the global symbol of peace, democracy and freedom, when in actuality, the United States, through its Central Intelligence Agency and other organizations has been complicit in economic “destabilization” activities in many countries as well as within its own borders.
- That our leaders really are serious in fighting the “war on drugs”, when in many ways our government has unwittingly facilitated the illegal drug trade.
- Through television shows and movies such as S.W.A.T., CSI and others, we have accepted police departments gradually turning themselves into occupation armies.
Is it too far a leap that other “conspiracy theories” could ring with elements of fact? Could 911 have been an inside job too? False Flag campaigns got us into major conflicts, including Vietnam. Why would government stop in the 60s?
I was once part of the unbelieving masses. I LOVED the original television show S.W.A.T. I remember running round with plastic M-16 in hand, leaping over walls and taking cover behind bushes, pretending to wage an assault on crime. I once lived as a dizzy bat player too. I believed in our government as a benevolent force in the world and in our lives. I served in the military. I voted.
I’m not saying any of these agencies are malevolent. I’m saying I see the world and our government as it is: deeply captured by those with power and while mostly keeping order, it often over reaches.
From this awareness I’ve disclaimed victimhood in exchange for positive action leading to empowerment and permanent change, not just for me, but for everyone. I don’t ask that you blindly follow me. I only offer that apathy is compliance. Complaining while comfortable does little.
Drink KoolAid that frees you
Granted, shirking off apathy and acting effectively requires self-confrontation. Not everyone is ready, but not everyone is needed either. Not now anyway.
Clearly, many are moved to demonstrations. Returning from Safeway yesterday, a parade of 1,000 Oregonians marched by protesting for #BLM and ACAB. We Americans protest ad nauseam. Show your public outrage if you want, but really, do such efforts pay off these days?
I think the answer is mixed.
Incremental change is one thing. Protests and demonstrations can bring that. When it happens though and oppression remains, especially institutionalized oppression, how effective is it really?
Government has so powerfully rebounded after the Occupy protests of long ago, we now find the 99 percent nearly impossibly mired, unlikely to mount any meaningful revolution peaceful or otherwise. Even as it does so right now.
Going forward, the 99 percent will have to make some tough inner-directed choices:
- Get committed internally to making real change happen. The time for complaining is near-over. Soon, we’re going to have to take real action. To do that, you’re going to have to get out of your comfort zone(s). Drink KoolAid that frees you. The only permanent solution is evolving our civilization out of needing government and debt-based monetary systems.
- Forget in-the-box thinking depending on government to “do the right thing”. Protesting government or government leaders to do the right thing. They won’t.
- Forget about waiting for collapse to happen. Expecting a positive solution will fill the power vacuum a collapse creates ignores history. Right now we’re in what looks like an economic collapse borne of a pandemic and note how so many clamor old solutions, not new ones.
- Get over your fear of death. Harder said than done, I know. If you’re reading this, odds are against you living indefinitely. Fear of death is easily manipulated, meaning you can be controlled. You may not have to face actual death. Still, getting over that fear opens possibility.
- Hone your critical thinking skills. This includes examining knee-jerk responses determining your world view. Are rich people really evil? Really? Are GOP members really out to destroy the middle class and enslave the poor? Are Democrats really out to socialize America? Really?
- Hone an ability to remain calm. Again, easier said. People in upset are easily manipulated and easily defeated. Developing an unshakeable spirit is paramount given the road ahead.
I would add to this “get over vocal protests. That’s what they expect and little may come of it”. Today’s protests remind me of this excellent scene from House of Cards:
Victimhood = power. Victimization can cause one to recover their power. Shaking off powerlessness begins when you own your role in the perpetrator/victim dynamic. You go from being a victim to being powerful.
Thus begins the first step to a new world. Calmly, but boldly, is how we create the world we wish to see. We at Copiosis are far beyond this first step. We invite you to join us.
