What if our apathy is self-sacrifice?

What if we can no longer be impassive or indifferent?

In conversation this week with friends, we pondered the firehose of mis- and disinformation spewing forth globally and were curious about what is being snuck through while we are being intentionally distracted.

What does our apathy from overwhelm or fear keep us from knowing?

Voter apathy

As a woman, voting is a privilege and I never forget the Suffragettes; without their courage, I could not vote. I’m often curious about voters who show apathy; I wonder how they feel later.

Ever since the Brexit referendum, when just 52% of the 72% of people who could vote decided the fate of the UK, I have wondered what would have happened if the other 28% had voted. If the apathetic had been less so. If they’d researched via that mobile contraption that gives them access to information instantly. If they’d fact-checked the firehose of mis- and disinformation and understood that their vote mattered.

Foreseeing its impact; I cried when I saw the Leave result and we now know the outcome: ‘Brexit has disrupted supply chains, driven up the cost of imported goods, and added to inflationary pressures. Families across the UK are already seeing the impact at the checkout, with food prices rising faster than wages, while energy bills and other essentials remain high.‘

I wonder if this act of self-sabotage would have happened if the other 28% had exercised the power in their vote instead of apathy. Sadly. we’ll never know.

Late last year, The Guardian wrote: It is estimated that close to 90 million Americans, roughly 36% of the eligible voting age population, did not vote. Perhaps they felt powerless in a voting system that doesn’t feel fair, but I wonder how they felt as 47 gave someone non-elected access to payment systems and their private financial data. (This is an ongoing situation.)

Do they feel powerless, scared or angry, or do they simply shrug with apathy?

I don’t have words to express the emotions I feel for what is happening in the US right now, but I do have many for what I feel for my favourite and diverse American friends. Concerned for their safety and sanity is an understatement. Beautiful souls who do not deserve to feel unsafe in their homes or for simply existing.

The fallout

As I watched the tariffs play out and witnessed the strength and determination of both Canada and Mexico’s leaders, I wondered about the UK. Where do we stand now we are no longer part of the EU? While we fight to keep our beloved NHS out of any potential trade deals, what are we losing? Is being forced to import US beef and chicken the price? Knowing that chemicals banned in the UK are permitted in the production of US food, I fear the health implications on naive British consumers; most of whom remain unaware of the damage caused by highly processed food let alone this.

As the thoughts go on, surprisingly I don’t feel despair or powerless. I like thinking and am naturally super curious. I read, research and want to understand. And I have an innate knack for seeing the patterns at play.

The current global – because the US impacts global citizens – firehose of dis and misinformation is designed to make people feel discombobulated and apathetic. It’s designed to exhaust and overwhelm you to the point you feel powerless and don’t fight back.

But your voice can be heard.

You do have power.

Look at the 250 thousand Germans pushing back or the rallies in the US this week.

This is the opposite of apathy.

You have choices

It might be uncomfortable. It might take courage. But there is always a choice!

During my healing journey, I learned to look at how something was serving me – even how self-damaging behaviour helped me. For example, my child abuse created a deep-seated fear of rejection and though I needed to attract more business, by avoiding cold-calling I reduced the chance someone would reject me. Even though I knew it wasn’t personal. Even though I knew I would then be stressing over the empty pipeline and growing bills. Until I faced my fear I continued to self-sabotage.

Many people are yet to awaken to what is happening in the US and across the world or simply don’t want to know. Many will choose apathy because it feels safer and they’re overwhelmed or scared from the firehose of dis- and misinformation.

I hope though that people will stop, breathe and centre

I hope they will go within and listen to their hearts and trust their inner guidance.

I hope people will choose and stand up for love, kindness and community, unite, and face the road ahead together.

💛