There isn’t one Anarchist out there who hasn’t become extremely frustrated at the brick wall they often find themselves face to face with when someone makes a blatantly ignorant statement like, “Government is us.”
I have ruined relationships with family members, annoyed a whole lot of people, and wasted tons of energy and many hours in my effort to de-brainwash people, get them to open their eyes and hearts, and break people out of the American cult. Through much trial and error, heartbreak and frustration, I’ve learned that you can’t break people out. They have to break themselves out. No amount of force on your part can make them do it.
There is no bigger waste of your time than to try to get people to see your way. The only reason you would have to try is if someone is unreceptive. If someone is unreceptive I don’t think there is anything on the planet you can do to change their mind. If you try, you’ll only alienate them from you, and you want to be there when they are ready. If someone is receptive, you don’t have to try. You’re there to simply share.
So here’s how to know if someone is receptive:
Gauge the stubbornness or receptivity of their words. Let’s say you make the statement, “I don’t vote because the existence of government is immoral.” A highly receptive response would be something like “Oh yeah, why’s that?” On a one to ten scale of receptivity with one being the most receptive and ten being unreachable slave, this would be a one response. If the response was, “But we’re the government”, that would be at about a five level. If the response is, “We are the government, and I will never give up because I have kids. We have to work on the system from the inside, and you’re giving up, and you’re the reason this country is going downhill. Besides, (insert name of their preferred presidential candidate) will turn this country around.” then that is a ten response, and I would run from that person as fast as my feet or mouse could take me.
Are they ready to argue? I’ve never personally seen anyone win anyone over through argument. Move on to a better use of your energy.
Are they combative or sarcastic? These are sure signs they’re closed off and will defend their stance at any cost. Never meet them with combativeness or sarcasm. Your power is in rising above that.
Read their body language. If they’re talking with their arms and hands and smiling at you, then they’re receptive. If their arms are crossed, their eyebrows are furrowed, or you can see that they’re trying to escape the conversation, then they aren’t receptive.
Keep reading their receptivity so that you can meet them where they are and know when to stop. The skill in being a leader, a teacher and a revolutionary is to know where a person is and what they’re ready for.
Don’t worry. The pressure isn’t all on you, friend. The revolution is building, and there’s no stopping it. Everyone comes around at their own time. You’ll be there when they’re ready, and so will a lot of other people. Thank you for your work.
This article “Waking People Up- 4 Ways to Tell If They’re Ready” is free and open source. You have permission to republish this article under a Creative Commons license with attribution to Brittany Forrester and emancipatedhuman.com.
