Reinventing Activism, Part 2: What Would a Personal Trainer Do? Mickey Z.

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Photo credit: Mickey Z.

Mickey Z. -- World News Trust

June 29, 2020

(Part 1 of this series can be found here)

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100213680393

The first line of the book, Becoming a Personal Trainer for Dummies, reads as follows: “When it comes to choosing a career, unless you're a masochist, you probably want to do something that you enjoy.” For me, becoming a personal trainer was far more accident than choice… an accident that remains in progress to this day.

As a result, I’ve spent more time in gyms than I can ever begin to calculate. Yes, this choice instilled in me a skewed and sometimes unhealthy body perception and heavily reinforced my masculine conditioning. However, there were also meaningful and affirmative life lessons to be learned within those mirrored walls.

Why am I telling you all this and what does it have to do with activism? Well, after Part 1 of this series was posted, I got some predictable demands for “solutions.” I’ve said it before and I stand by it:

Far too many folks imply that unless a critic expounds a specific strategy for change, their opinion is nothing more than worthless negativity. This reaction misses the essential role critical analysis plays in a society in which problems and their causes are so cleverly disguised. When discussing the future, the first step is usually a demystification of the past and present.

Besides, of what value would my alleged “solutions” be while we are still in the midst of myriad global crises? I like to imagine if we began detaching ourselves from this oppressive system, we'd create a space in which younger, wiser folks than I could identify paths and options currently beyond our line of sight.

All that said, I have been suggesting a HUGE first step for quite some time now: Recognize and accept how ineffective we have been and how badly we need new perspectives, voices, and ideas.

Q. How do I know this is a good idea?

A. I’ve been working in the fitness industry for most of my life and I have lessons to share.

(more)

https://worldnewstrust.com/reinventing-activism-part-1-marching-in-circles-mickey-z