Cultural forces can be a little like a river that carries us through life without giving it much thought if we let them. Some of those forces we would consider good, and in this case, the current is a good thing as it moves us effortlessly in the right direction. However, other forces deform our humanity and oppress our ability to behave in life-giving ways. If we want to, the power of the current can be too much to fight. By monopolising our attention and rushing us from one thing to the next, our culture removes the space where we might be able to choose differently for ourselves. Intentionally setting aside time to step away from social media distractions and productivity allows space for thought and deliberation. This space will enable us to reset ourselves and decide where we want to put our attention, what we think about a particular issue and how we want to live.
One of the problems we confront is that even the ability to step away becomes less of a possibility the more stretched we are. The resources we have available to us affect our options for resistance. I need to keep this in mind in my expectations of myself and others and in how I communicate my efforts at resisting cultural forces. Advice offered by privileged people can come across as victim blaming. A lack of action or progress may not be due to an individual’s weakness but rather the systems and circumstances they are stuck in, making it much more difficult to act.
As someone with time, flexible work, and financial resources, I have opportunities to act in ways that might not be open to others. That is a privilege and a responsibility. So how do I act responsibly while avoiding guilt and frustration for myself and others?
- Understand and acknowledge my privilege and limitations. What are my current circumstances?
- Listen to the experiences and strategies of other people for inspiration and guidance while acknowledging my circumstances and priorities.
- Share what is working for me as examples of possibility, not a requirement.
- Realising that every choice has pros and cons, I need to decide which decisions will ultimately align with who I am and my values.
- The actions enabled by my privilege may open possibilities for others.
- Facing the way of Jesus and stepping out in that direction is more important than what we achieve in the face of pervasive powers.
As Jenny Odell writes, “wherever we are, and whatever privileges we may or may not enjoy, there is probably some thread we can afford to be pulling on.” 1