[preamble: this diary has evolved quickly since I started writing it and almost abandoned it. Bottom line here: resistance requires frequent, local, face-to-face meeting, collaboration, and action. Actions speak louder than words. Talk is cheap and “the tongue is a fire” (James 3:6).]
Addiction involves a lot more than just drugs and alcohol. I wrote a diary a few months back viewing white supremacy as an addiction (“Recovering from Addiction to White Supremacy”). It may seem to be a stretch. However, there is a recognized need for programs of social reintegration for offenders of all sorts (the search returns 816,000 results). Among such programs, the 12-step Alcoholics Anonymous model has many advocates and participants.
Anonymity is a core concept in 12-step programs. Here at Daily Kos, there may be good reasons for some of us to remain anonymous. However,
A downside with anonymity on Daily Kos is that we have no protection from trolls, bots, or troublemakers of various shapes.
Serenity is also a key concept. Expressed more in “spiritual” than “religious” language, the “Serenity Prayer”, says something like this:
My Higher Power, grant me
- the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
- the courage to change the things I can, and
- the wisdom to know the difference.
Serenity, the first point is a red flag for folks here and elsewhere who, whatever the grievance, simply cannot accept what they cannot change. Such folks claim a license to surrender and to be angry.
Courage, the second point, is key to action. But the question is, what CAN I change? Above all, I can change MYSELF. I can also engage in constructive efforts wherever I see an opening.
Reference to Wisdom is perhaps a bit tongue in cheek. I simply cannot know the difference. But in context of the “prayer,” this is not a counsel of inaction.
***
I have no doubt that many reading this will recognize what I am saying, and many more will regard it with disdain. For me, as I suggested at the top, the key to keeping it real is to “keep coming back” , to participate regularly in our local, face-to-face resistance political groups, and to take action to change the things we can.
PS Here’s a search link for “white supremacy addiction.”