Even posting that persecution already has a definition is a sort of persecution of those who believe that persecution is not persecution, when they’re the ones doing it.
Internet forums, such as this, are full of both persecutors and people presenting themselves for persecution. It’s a two-way street. You can’t verbally or emotionally persecute someone who isn’t defensive and if you voice an unpopular opinion with the expectation of being persecuted for it, then why say it in the first place?
I defended the persecuted when I was younger, which basically means I used to bully bullies. But even in grade school, it was obvious that the persecuted were, more often than not, just persecutor-wannabes who enjoyed the persecution of their persecutors immensely. There were exceptions, obviously, but the exceptions didn’t actually feel persecuted, despite the efforts of others to persecute them.
People persecute because they’re afraid. Whether they actually fear for their safety, fear a continuation of abuse or fear appearing socially weak, it doesn’t matter because, like “persecution”, “fear” also has a definition.
You can’t be persecuted if you’re not defensive. “Touchy” people are persecuted. Frightened people are persecuted. Persecution is merely an effort to appear as one who can’t be persecuted. It is bullying and you live in a society that teaches it, practically from the cradle. You live in a society that encourages and even demands it but, even so, it is only ever your own choice, whether or not you participate in it.
That said, those of you who neither persecute nor feel persecuted must share some of the responsibility for this current state of society. By refusing to openly be who you are, you are depriving this society of the visual of what living as a free being looks like. It’s a stifling, suffocating environment, granted, but it’s where you are and you can easily express yourself without participating in the fear-fest.
It is true that “unpersecutable” people appear threatening to others. The “unpersecutable” have always been rare, alone, surrounded by the fearful and, often, subject to physical destruction - but now is not then.
This is the internet. This is a virtual representation of the world in which you live and there are more people ***in ***this world who are ***like ***you than there has ever been before.
You have thoughts on these subjects. Not just thoughts, but far more clear-headed thoughts than the thoughts of those who live, day in and day out, acting and speaking from a constant state of fear.
This world does not belong to “the fearful”. You were born here. You live here. This is your home, as well. Your avoidance of “the predators” is the worst form of persecution. You think you’re above them and you’re not. You’re happier and less fearful, but that isn’t superiority and you know it.
You’ve been surrounded by these people, all your life. You’ve seen them in circumstances where they didn’t feel threatened and were free to be themselves and how brilliant they really are, when their minds aren’t preoccupied with the fear. It’s what you resent most about this society. You think it deprives you of interaction with the “realness” of people and the brilliance of people but that’s all on you. You shut yourself off from them to the extent that you appear “special”, when you do show yourself.
I know you. I ***am ***you. You aren’t a follower and have no desire to encourage others to follow by being a leader. You want people who can walk beside you and you’re not going to find any if you confine your living to the inside of your head. Stop looking at society as one big group. As a group, they coalesce into blobs of “followers” but society is made up, entirely, of individuals. Shift your view. perceive it as individuals and go find individuals who share your interests. Not one individual who shares all of your interests, there’s no such thing. Instead, look for individuals who share individual interests and don’t “compromise”. You don’t have to say “I’ll participate in your interest if you’ll participate in mine” like a “fearful one” who seeks the security of just being with someone - that’s ridiculous and you don’t need that. Nobody needs that.
***Everybody ***is just as sick of this persecution shit as *you *are. The only difference is that you know you don’t need the approval. You don’t need social approval. You don’t need a flashy car or the latest fashion or millions of dollars or the most clever commentary. They don’t need it either, but they don’t know that. How can they know it when those who know the freedom of not needing such crap are avoiding any and all contact with those who are living neck-deep in the muck of it? How can they know they don’t need it if they can’t see how much easier and more fun life is without it?
Don’t be “special” - just be you. If somebody tries to “follow” you, poke 'em in the ribs and tell them to cut it out. If somebody tries to “lead” you and show you the “error of your ways”, do the same. Be honest. Tell them it’s not your “thang” and that you’re just there for the ride. Let it be their “thang”, if that’s what they want. As long as you don’t enter into the mix, they’ll leave you and go along their not-so-merry way. Let them. They’re all tired of the crap but the ones who will walk beside you are the ones who are SICK and tired. They’re there, you’ll recognize each other.
I’m posting this in “the pit” because it’s going to offend just about everybody.