What are You Willing to Risk?

FIRST — Video Trigger Warning: You are probably going to be pissed. Please refrain from throwing your phone, tablet, or laptop out the window.

SECOND — Yes, I really wanted to title this post, "Without Risk, Resistance is Futile" but I resisted 😄

Below is a video of "The Department of War" Secretary Pete Hegseth's recording of The Lord's Prayer (Delivered while addressing troops and after requiring them to take a moment to honor Charlie Kirk.) placed over a military montage complete with missiles, jets, battleships, tanks, guns, paratroopers, the prerequisite waving flag, and a poor unsuspecting flying eagle.

After watching this, I don't think I have been as angry or as disturbed as I have been in a while, and, as we all know, there have been many things to be angry and disturbed about that have recently come out of official government channels. That "Amen" over the Department of War emblem put me over the edge, and seriously, what did that poor eagle do to deserve being dragged into this mess?

Militarized, state-sanctioned violence grounded in Christian (white) Nationalism has now been clearly articulated and spoken out loud from the highest levels of our government. We can now only assume that, with this blatant communication, along with the lack of any political will to stop it, this ideology will now be reinforced, funded, and manifested with court-approved impunity, nationalized cruelty, and militarized force.

But Bruce, they are just "trolling the libs" so why give this ideology and theology any oxygen? Aren't you just helping to spread their message?

Fair questions. First, they need no help spreading the message. And second, and most importantly, if I had to place a wager on why Trump and those in the upper echelons of power do what they do, I doubt they believe much of this ideology and theology themselves; it is just the best tactic to accomplish their own aims. What they do know is that many do. They know that lifting up "white Christian Nationalism" is a strategy that will motivate a group of people for whom it resonates. They understand that this ideology will galvanize those who find white Christian nationalism attractive. It will inspire and incite those who believe that the United States was founded as a Christian country, that a theocracy is a great idea as long as it reinforces a particular version of Christianity, and any action — ANY ACTION — is justified to make sure that the United States returns to being the white Christian nation it was always intended to be.

I believe that those in power are more motivated by increasing their global influence and accumulating personal wealth than by any deeply held ideology or theology. However, their personal gain is certainly not as motivating for the masses, so they employ faux-populist rhetoric and tap into and manipulate genuine discontent and concern to their own benefit. This does not mean that individuals should not be held accountable, but it does mean that I will hold space for empathy and understanding for those whose theological convictions, no matter how wrong I believe they are, have been exploited.

As we know, this ideology and theology are not new, but what is new is the ferocity with which its proclamations are being made and how quickly this ideology is being normalized into policy and action at the highest levels. Yes, this thinking has existed for generations, but as we have begun to see, it's coming to a city near you in the form of ICE agents blatantly grabbing and targeting people because of how they look, the military being encouraged to use US cities and training grounds, the US is blatantly acting as if we have some God-given right to kill at will if we decide it is justified, and other actions that are showing that there is a narrowing of who is considered worthy of rights: civil or human.

As I have been traveling to different places over the past few months, it is clear that people are worried and yearning for ways to resist, not just in ways that feel good, but in ways that will actually make a difference. This has so moved me because it feels as if some folks are beginning to realize that this time in our history is not just one more phase in the natural rhythms and seasons of the life of a baby democracy, but that we are looking at the real possibility of an authoritarian regime that is going to lead to death and suffering beyond our imagination. Civil war, military action, or armed rebellion no longer feels hyperbolic, and it is not difficult to envision a future where my own adult children will experience such institutional and personal pain, rage, and trauma that it will take generations for healing to happen.

So what will we do? I keep hearing people talking about fighting back and resisting. I listen to others telling others to fight back harder on their behalf. And then some are choosing to ignore it all because it's all too depressing. While I cannot do anything about those who are choosing to ignore the fact that at some point the guns will be pointed at them, for those who want to push back on what is happening, I say, find the act of resistance that truly presents a risk to you. Choose an action that brings you into solidarity with those who are responding out of their own places of risk. Show the communities to which you belong that this is so important to you that you are willing to risk something important to you for a movement greater than yourself. When we risk, we inspire others to risk, and the movement grows. When we risk, resistance becomes real.

Of course, risk is easy to call for, but much more challenging to embody. Many of us have the privilege to step away from the fray due to our status or resources, or even worse, we participate in actions that we tout as risky but, because of our privilege, are not. Resistance without risk is performative activism. For instance, if I post pro-Palestinian, anti-genocide content on my socials, there is zero risk in that. I have no job to get fired from, nor do I have any members or friends that I am risking relationships with. However, if you are a fitness influencer or photographer (Follow them on IG) who decides to do the same, you risk public backlash and a possible/probable loss of clients and income.

Risk is relative, personal, and based on our privileges, life stages, and other realities. That said, when it comes to risk, resistance and fighting back, when push comes to shove, I fear that most of us will not put our livelihoods, our bodies, or our freedom in harm's way for the sake of what we believe in. At the end of the day, we will protect our security, our safety, our status — until avoiding risk is no longer an option.

However, as we have witnessed on the streets of Chicago, Los Angeles, and other cities, when risk is forced upon us and our neighbors, there is no choice but to resist.

So what does risk look like exactly?
Risk will manifest differently for each person.

I know that I may risk more than others and far less than most. I have written about this before, but my spouse and I have both been arrested in the past and understand that another arrest in the future is a strong possibility. We also recognize that we are in a position and at a life stage when we can take this risk. We have the resources and flexibility to navigate the court system, our adult children are independent and self-sufficient, and if federal time were to be served (which is a possibility with this current administration), we will be okay. We are not chasing any of this, but we are not running from it. Not many can risk this level of direct action, so we will do so on behalf of those who cannot.

It is important to remember, however, that civil disobedience is not the only nor even the best form of resistance. It is only one tactic. Civil disobedience is not a risk that everyone can or should take. Some folks have children or family members to support, some have health issues to deal with, some do not have a financial safety net to rely on, and many others cannot risk their immigration status. I might even argue that civil disobedience is one of the last things people should risk, and that by emphasizing it too much, we may diminish other, more effective forms of resistance. I also think it is too easy for the general public to dismiss people who get arrested as those "radicals" (which we may be) who are just trying to cause trouble (which we are) and just want to disrupt things (which we do), but may not always have the kind of impact that we hope to on our own (we need one another).

At the end of the day, risk is deeply personal and contextual, lending itself to its contextual power. For some, taking part in a march like the Women's Marches of the past or No Kings, is a huge step and will feel like a deep personal risk. There may be many in their circle who may be impacted by that act. They may even risk damaging relationships and possibly even jeopardizing their employment. For others, the same action may be easy and seen as mainstream with no risk at all, either personally or professionally. For these individuals, they might risk being part of a larger scale action, participating in an action at work, organizing a public demonstration, or speaking out at a public hearing where their name is entered into the public record.

And for others, risk could look like . . .

• posting on social media
• running for office
• taking part in less mainstream protests
• leading workshops
• writing to someone in detention
• showing up when asked
• staying in relationships
• leaving relationships
• being trained in de-escalation tactics
• becoming a legal observer
• preaching sermons
• providing housing
• teaching children about justice
• accompanying people to court
• taking part in vigils
• volunteering with a non-profit
• leading prayers
• writing articles or op-eds
• giving more money
• being that one voice
• and so on and so on...

It seems as if 'unprecedented' has lost all meaning, but it is, in fact, the only word that accurately describes where we are as a country, culture, and democracy. While we are far from perfect and one could argue that some parts of the system need to collapse, the acts of cruelty, violence, and impunity that we are being threatened, enacted, and supported publicly on our streets, in the halls of government, and in our courthouses, are not how I want to get there.

It has been said that apathy is the greatest friend to authoritarianism, and the way it seems to be creeping up on us is proving this to be true. So for those who have been risking, truly risking, thank you, and keep it up. And for those who are wondering how and what you will risk in the future, know that you are not alone. In fact, the more of us that join together, risking more together, the more we will accomplish together.

See you at the barricades.

Peace,