The Privilege to Be Unbothered
Dust Explosion Elevator, c. 1900-1920, Via National Gallery of Art
You, who are staying silent. Going about your daily lives as if nothing has changed. Who do you think you are? We are way beyond “let this radicalize you, baby,” because the content has been shared, the violence has been witnessed, the murders and genocides have taken place, the rights have been taken away.
How about you just give a shit that people’s rights and ability to stay alive are being taken away in a frenzy of executive orders by gloating politicians and their rich counterparts.
You think you are so far removed from what’s going on? That you’re untouchable? That your shit doesn’t stink, too?
I hate to break it to you, but that Supreme Court decision to make it harder to limit water pollution? That’s going to affect YOUR water. The dismantling of the Department of Education? That’s going to affect YOUR schools, children, and people living in your area. The dismantling of DEI programs? Guess what, babe, they FOOLED YOU—know any white woman? They were the primary beneficiaries. These government “efficiency” cuts including Social Security? That’s going to be YOUR future stability when it comes to retirement. The FAA layoffs and union busting? That could be YOUR plane that crashes or sets on fire. Those ICE raids and round-ups? Looks like they’re already getting to you.
And oh I get it, babes—you have the money, the privilege, and a sense of security that you’re going to be fine. Or just a shitload of ignorance and denial. Or that sweet combination of the two. You’re like that frog in the boiling water from that fable. While all of us tried to flee and got cooked instead, you think you’re chilling in a bubble bath, but it’s really a pot of death. They’ve fooled you into thinking that you already have everything, but they’re going to move the marker of what power and privilege look like. They lie to you and tell you if you side with the oppressor you’ll be safer and less vulnerable, when in reality you are used as a tool and discarded when no longer useful.
Oh, and don’t get me started on those of you who seem to be aware there are problems but you’re planning on fleeing “if it gets bad enough”. That’s somehow worse: you know exactly what’s going on, but instead of using your influence, power, money, and access to help us fight back, to create a better space for YOU and for us; you’re going to use your privilege to get the fuck out of here. How DARE you. Especially when many of you are the reasons we’re in this mess to begin with.
Do you realize that you are no longer wanted anywhere, coming from this measles- and COVID-ridden, anti-vax, pollution-ridden, fascist regime, human rights annihilator, and corporation-led country? So you can afford the $25 eggs now and you put your not-cute Honda logo on your stupid-ass Cybertruck, but that means nothing in the end. Just because you can still keep your nose clean while the rest of us are actively drowning in this sewer of a country doesn’t mean you’re not still right there in the sewer with us.
Where exactly is your head? We are two months into one hell of a fascist overthrow, oops, I mean, presidency. You have no one in your life who is an elder, veteran, woman, child, disabled, has experienced mental health issues, identifies as LGBTQIA+? I can answer that for you—yes, you do.
At this point, is it your sociopathic lack of empathy or absolute delusion that makes you believe you have enough proximity to power and whiteness to remain safe and unaffected? You think you have the “in” or the funding to be in a place of power in the Musk-Trump era? Probably not. So what the fuck are you doing.
You want to wait until it gets so bad that it disrupts your life? Maybe you haven’t connected the threads yet, but for those of us who have been shouting about this broken and corrupt system for decades, we can tell you that we’re there. I hate to break it to you, we’ve been here.
I want to be clear that I’m not just talking about bougie white people. And I’m not just talking about Republicans and Trump voters. I’m also talking about all of those marginalized folks who divested from their own identities or harmed their people to access power. I’m talking about your liberals who have been remarkably silent and telling us that the Democrats will find a way, that this is only for four years. I’m talking about all those people who professed solidarity with their stupid pink pussy hats and black squares and talked about making HERstory and now are back to posting about brunch. I’m talking about those rich donors who only give a shit about the tax breaks and choose not to give directly or fund grassroots movements. I’m talking about the white women who hosted anti-racist book clubs, wore the pantsuits for Hilary—who cried and now go about posting their aesthetic content, sharing stories of their fancy meals and ultra-luxe colonizeresque 5-star travels but nothing about mutual aid. All those people who post about their charity gala and ensure they help “get out the vote” but don’t listen, support, or amplify marginalized voices and the very real issues going on right now. Those folks who somehow get seats at the table and claim they are do-gooders, yet when you reach out with a GoFundMe or mutual aid they leave your DMs on read.
Finally, for those who don’t get into it for their mental health or just don’t have the time—I understand. For those who have young kids and a lot on their plate or are dealing with complicated challenges—I get it. But here’s the thing: there is privilege in both stepping away and immersing yourself in the business. People are literally dying because of this regime of terror—the first trans veteran, an 11-year-old girl bullied about her family’s immigration status, and more.
I’d also like to remind you that many movement leaders, past and present, are also parents or caregivers, have poor mental health due to racism and systemic oppression, and are people who already carry a heavy load. The people at the front are often working with fewer resources, access to capital, stability, and comfort. Everyone’s part in the movement is different, but you need to be A PART of it. Find small ways you can make a difference. Speak on these topics with others. Bring people into the conversation. Support mutual aid and if you can’t give, share with your people. Don’t just skim headlines, read the full piece from trusted sources so you understand the very serious impacts these issues are having in real-time.
If you take umbrage with what I’ve written, feel anger, want to give me a “fuck you”, or want to come at me with your excuses: go ahead. And then I’d like you to sit with those feelings and think—was it something I said or do YOU already KNOW there are things you can do right now to help others and yourself? Stop ignoring what’s right in front of your face. It’s not going to go away.
So you think you are different or special? You’re not. They don’t care about any of us. You think the world is made for you because you receive a few more crumbs? You believe it’s fine for others to suffer because you remain above it? The truth is you are part of the system, and as uncomfortable as it may be, you are one of us. Always longing and desiring for better and more is also part of systemic oppression—it leaves you yearning, in a state of lack, wanting, stripping away your humanity and your ability to care for and look after others. We’ve seen this before. They’ll pick us off, group by group. And trust me, they’ll come for you too.
Please. Don’t let it come to this. Invest in mutual aid. Support direct action and aid. Read books and think about news critically. Acknowledge your gaps in understanding and find people to learn from. Do the work and be proactive.
I can’t force you to give a shit about us. But I hope you’ll wake the fuck up. You are not as different to us as you may think. We need you in this fight against the big lie that caring about us means you get less. Caring about us means more care for YOU too. I hope you can see that soon—before it’s too late for all of us, yourself included.