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The 4 Syndromes of Passivity in the Face of Pending Tyranny
As the era of Trump approaches, some of you are succumbing to the follow four syndromes:
"Millions of others feel equally powerless. But taking action--demonstrating, resisting, objecting, demanding, speaking truth, joining with others, making a ruckus, and never ceasing to fight Trump's pending tyranny--will empower you."1. Normalizer Syndrome. You want to believe Trump will be just another president - more conservative and pompous than most, but one who will make rational decisions once in office.
Dec 15, 2016
As the era of Trump approaches, some of you are succumbing to the follow four syndromes:
"Millions of others feel equally powerless. But taking action--demonstrating, resisting, objecting, demanding, speaking truth, joining with others, making a ruckus, and never ceasing to fight Trump's pending tyranny--will empower you."1. Normalizer Syndrome. You want to believe Trump will be just another president - more conservative and pompous than most, but one who will make rational decisions once in office.
You are under a grave delusion. Trump has a serious personality disorder and will pose a clear and present danger to America and the world.
2. Outrage Numbness Syndrome. You are no longer outraged by what Trump says or what he does--his incessant lies, his cabinet picks, his bullying, his hatefulness--because you've gone numb. You can't conceive that someone like this is becoming President of the United States, so you've shut down emotionally. Maybe you've even stopped reading the news.
You need to get back in touch with your emotions and reengage with what's happening.
3. Cynical Syndrome. You've become so cynical about the whole system--the Democrats who gave up on the working class and thereby opened the way for Trump, the Republicans who suppressed votes around the country, the media that gave Trump all the free time he wanted, the establishment that rigged the system--that you say the hell with it. Let Trump do his worst. How much worse can it get?
You need to wake up. It can get a lot worse.
4. Helpless Syndrome. You aren't in denial. You know that nothing about this is normal; you haven't become numb or stopped reading the news; you haven't succumbed to cynicism. You desperately want to do something to prevent what's about to occur.
But you don't know what to do. You feel utterly powerless and immobilized.
Millions of others feel equally powerless. But taking action--demonstrating, resisting, objecting, demanding, speaking truth, joining with others, making a ruckus, and never ceasing to fight Trump's pending tyranny--will empower you. And with that power you will not only to minimize the damage that is about to occur, but also get this nation and the world back on the course it must be on.
If you find yourself falling into one or more of these syndromes, that's understandable. Normalizing, numbing, becoming cynical, and feeling powerless are natural human responses to the gross absurdity and genuine peril posed by Trump.
But I urge you to pull yourself out. We need you in the peaceful resistance army, starting January 20.
We are at a crossroads
This country and this world are at a monumental crossroads. US voters have an opportunity to beat back the forces of fascism and confront the billionaires who are rigging the economy, our media system, and our democracy, making it increasingly impossible for ordinary people to get by. We’re not just talking about the election. We’re talking about what must be done once these fascist elements are vanquished from power. We need a bolder set of solutions than what either major party has so far been willing to offer and a working-class movement ready to fight like hell for it. Trump didn't emerge from nowhere. The conditions that fueled MAGA authoritarianism were created by decades of radical neoliberal economic policies and a corrupt political system dominated by corporate interests. They slashed taxes on the super-rich, promising that the benefits would trickle down. They said giveaways to the corporate titans would make life more affordable for the rest of us. It was all bullshit. And when a bitter, betrayed populace searches for someone to blame, right-wing demagogues have little trouble finding scapegoats. People know when they're being lied to, but you won't hear any of this from the corporate media. Only independent journalism—powered and funded by people who believe in building a better world—can deliver truly trustworthy daily news. If you share our vision, please contribute whatever you can to sustain our work. |
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 License.
Robert Reich
Robert Reich is professor emeritus of public policy at Berkeley and former US secretary of labor. His latest book is the No. 1 New York Times best-seller, "Coming Up Short."
As the era of Trump approaches, some of you are succumbing to the follow four syndromes:
"Millions of others feel equally powerless. But taking action--demonstrating, resisting, objecting, demanding, speaking truth, joining with others, making a ruckus, and never ceasing to fight Trump's pending tyranny--will empower you."1. Normalizer Syndrome. You want to believe Trump will be just another president - more conservative and pompous than most, but one who will make rational decisions once in office.
You are under a grave delusion. Trump has a serious personality disorder and will pose a clear and present danger to America and the world.
2. Outrage Numbness Syndrome. You are no longer outraged by what Trump says or what he does--his incessant lies, his cabinet picks, his bullying, his hatefulness--because you've gone numb. You can't conceive that someone like this is becoming President of the United States, so you've shut down emotionally. Maybe you've even stopped reading the news.
You need to get back in touch with your emotions and reengage with what's happening.
3. Cynical Syndrome. You've become so cynical about the whole system--the Democrats who gave up on the working class and thereby opened the way for Trump, the Republicans who suppressed votes around the country, the media that gave Trump all the free time he wanted, the establishment that rigged the system--that you say the hell with it. Let Trump do his worst. How much worse can it get?
You need to wake up. It can get a lot worse.
4. Helpless Syndrome. You aren't in denial. You know that nothing about this is normal; you haven't become numb or stopped reading the news; you haven't succumbed to cynicism. You desperately want to do something to prevent what's about to occur.
But you don't know what to do. You feel utterly powerless and immobilized.
Millions of others feel equally powerless. But taking action--demonstrating, resisting, objecting, demanding, speaking truth, joining with others, making a ruckus, and never ceasing to fight Trump's pending tyranny--will empower you. And with that power you will not only to minimize the damage that is about to occur, but also get this nation and the world back on the course it must be on.
If you find yourself falling into one or more of these syndromes, that's understandable. Normalizing, numbing, becoming cynical, and feeling powerless are natural human responses to the gross absurdity and genuine peril posed by Trump.
But I urge you to pull yourself out. We need you in the peaceful resistance army, starting January 20.
Robert Reich
Robert Reich is professor emeritus of public policy at Berkeley and former US secretary of labor. His latest book is the No. 1 New York Times best-seller, "Coming Up Short."
As the era of Trump approaches, some of you are succumbing to the follow four syndromes:
"Millions of others feel equally powerless. But taking action--demonstrating, resisting, objecting, demanding, speaking truth, joining with others, making a ruckus, and never ceasing to fight Trump's pending tyranny--will empower you."1. Normalizer Syndrome. You want to believe Trump will be just another president - more conservative and pompous than most, but one who will make rational decisions once in office.
You are under a grave delusion. Trump has a serious personality disorder and will pose a clear and present danger to America and the world.
2. Outrage Numbness Syndrome. You are no longer outraged by what Trump says or what he does--his incessant lies, his cabinet picks, his bullying, his hatefulness--because you've gone numb. You can't conceive that someone like this is becoming President of the United States, so you've shut down emotionally. Maybe you've even stopped reading the news.
You need to get back in touch with your emotions and reengage with what's happening.
3. Cynical Syndrome. You've become so cynical about the whole system--the Democrats who gave up on the working class and thereby opened the way for Trump, the Republicans who suppressed votes around the country, the media that gave Trump all the free time he wanted, the establishment that rigged the system--that you say the hell with it. Let Trump do his worst. How much worse can it get?
You need to wake up. It can get a lot worse.
4. Helpless Syndrome. You aren't in denial. You know that nothing about this is normal; you haven't become numb or stopped reading the news; you haven't succumbed to cynicism. You desperately want to do something to prevent what's about to occur.
But you don't know what to do. You feel utterly powerless and immobilized.
Millions of others feel equally powerless. But taking action--demonstrating, resisting, objecting, demanding, speaking truth, joining with others, making a ruckus, and never ceasing to fight Trump's pending tyranny--will empower you. And with that power you will not only to minimize the damage that is about to occur, but also get this nation and the world back on the course it must be on.
If you find yourself falling into one or more of these syndromes, that's understandable. Normalizing, numbing, becoming cynical, and feeling powerless are natural human responses to the gross absurdity and genuine peril posed by Trump.
But I urge you to pull yourself out. We need you in the peaceful resistance army, starting January 20.
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