Reply To: On Tyranny Lesson 8: Stand out
For this topic, I had similar thoughts to Jane’s assessment with respect to standing out. To stand out, to me, doesn’t necessarily equate to calling attention to oneself or being a public figure. I also strongly agree with Jane that “any action other than acceptance and complacency is an opportunity to set an example”.
As history has shown that the majority of people conform to the societal expectations, we may find many different opportunities to resist ourselves, creating our own examples of standing out. For example, an act as simple as initiating thoughtful conversations with friends, family and neighbours about current events would make one stand out, as avoiding awkward situations is what is typically expected. While historical figures are often credited for inspiring change, it just may be the case that millions of possibly awkward, unrecorded moments have also inspired activism and have been just as effective in spreading knowledge and paving the way for change.
