One of the challenges we have is to sustain healthy social movements, able to withstand the pressures associated with swimming against the current, without people burning out. This requires a high degree of thoughtful practice on the part of activists and shift disturbers.
1. Recognize that you are dealing with deeply entrenched power dynamics
People and organizations will defend their power, their place in the world and their worldview. If you are involved in a movement that gets in the way of a government agenda, be prepared to feel the effects of its power. If you are challenging something that has become normalized in the culture or the economy, you will get a push back. If you are attacking a deeply held belief system, expect resistance, denial, unfair tactics, marginalization, and more nastiness. We can’t afford to be naive. […]