General Discussion

Imagine our children learning this every morning instead of "I Spread The Peaches."

1.) Do not obey in advance. (Anticipatory obedience gives authoritarianism most of its power before a regime even demands it.)
2.) Defend institutions. (Courts, ethical boards, and democratic structures cannot protect themselves; citizens must take their side.)
3.) Beware the one-party state. (Support and defend a multiple-party system and active, fair elections.)
4.) Take responsibility for the face of the world. (Symbols of hate enable the reality of tomorrow. Remove them and set a positive example.)
5.) Remember professional ethics. (When leaders set a bad example, professional commitments to truth and justice become critical.)
6.) Be wary of paramilitaries. (When armed groups acting outside the law begin wearing uniforms and marching, the end of normal politics is near.)
7.) Be reflective if you must be armed. (If you carry a weapon for public service, recognize the gravity of your responsibility.)
8.) Stand out. (It can feel strange to do or say something different, but without that unease, there is no freedom.)
9.) Be kind to our language. (Avoid adopting clichés and mass-appeal phrases. Think for yourself and speak with individual clarity.)
10.) Believe in truth. (To abandon facts is to abandon freedom. If nothing is true, criticism of power is impossible.)
11.) Investigate. (Spend time reading long-form journalism and figure things out for yourself rather than just consuming information online.)
12.) Make eye contact and small talk. (This is not just polite; it breaks down social barriers and builds trust within your community.)
13.) Practice corporeal politics. (Get out from behind the screen. Put your body in unfamiliar places with unfamiliar people and march.)
14.) Establish a private life. (Maintain parts of your life that the government cannot easily monitor or track.)
15.) Contribute to good causes. (Be actively involved in political or non-political organizations that align with your values.)
16.) Learn from peers in other countries. (Keep friendships abroad and realize that democratic struggles are a global trend, not an isolated local problem.)
17.) Listen for dangerous words. (Be alert to language meant to manipulate, such as the constant use of "emergency," "exception," "extremism," or "terrorism." )
18.) Be calm when the unthinkable arrives. (Modern authoritarians consolidate power by exploiting sudden tragedies. Do not fall for panic-driven power grabs.)
19.) Be a patriot. (Set a good example of what your country and its values should mean for future generations.)
20.) Be as courageous as you can. (If you do not stand up for freedom, you will lose.)