Communities of
Resistance
by Sally Van Vleck
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I have been struggling with how to live in this world. I feel more and more out ofstep with the mainstream. I find myself at odds with the basic assumptions of the predominant culture in this country: 1. acquiring material possessions is good without any regard to the effects on our resources; 2. the land and resources are there for humans to use and use up with no regard for long-term consequences; 3. the global problems of hunger and poverty aren't solvable so don't worry about them; 4. war and violence are inevitable and are the only solutions to conflicts between countries or groups; 5. our personal habits, life-style and choices are our own business and don't affect the rest of the world; 6. we're entitled to consume whatever we can afford; 7. the most important pastimes are shopping and watching TV; 8. to be a good person we should have strong feelings of patriotism for our country.Fortunately, we live in a free society in which I can choose to reject these premises. I think of this as living a life of resistance. I can and do choose not to engage in wasteful consumerism. I can decide not to eat meat because of the toll it takes on the planet and to go out in nature instead of watching TV. But, my country can go to war and kill innocent people over my objections. And, the degradation of the natural systems that support life on Earth continues nonstop.
Still, I can speak out, I can protest, I can educate, I can vote.
Living a life of resistance take energy. It's easier to just "go with the flow". It gets tiring, always forging a different path, constantly objecting, incessantly going against the grain. So, that's why we need communities of resistance. Joining together with others who don't support war, untethered consumerism, environmental domination and unquestioning patriotism helps us to keep going. We find strength and support and validation in community. We affirm each others' commitment to a path of resistance.
Often, this path feels more negative than positive. We speak out about what we're against, but it's more difficult to articulate what we're for.
Bringing the Bioneers Conference to Traverse City is a way of articulating what we believe in: ecological medicine, sustainable farming, renewable energy, simple living, a non-corporate-controlled media, alternatives to violence to solve conflicts, preserving native cultures, protecting our water, sustainable forestry. On October 18th, 19th and 20th people who are interested in forging a different path for our country and the world will gather at Northwestern Michigan College to share ideas and learn from each other. Will it change the world?
I hope so.