W. G.The Woven Guild

When we think of ‘Revolution’, the first images which pop up in our mind include large-scale, fiery protests, strikes, ultimatums, and rage. This is exactly what happens during the later stages of any revolution, but at its inception, the heart of mass movements is not rage; it’s change. This aim, however, is transformational in nature. It changes, and as history has it well recorded in its pages, the progression is initially alarming and, ultimately, destructive.

This nature is exactly why several revolutions fail to assume an absolute revolutionary character. Considerable parts of society think they are ‘too weak’ or ‘too insignificant’ to participate in protests and productive action, let alone take charge. Fear clouds their judgement, and submission takes the lead. On the other end of this spectrum of internalised inferiority, we find the group of people who wait upon others to take action. They do not seek inspiration; they seek shelter. A ‘Plan B’ if those who lead succumb to totalitarian regimes.

This has been written as a reminder of the beauty in insignificance and the freedom that comes with anonymity. Unimportance is the greatest shelter one can seek when mutiny takes charge.

Often, our role as a citizen is downplayed by adding prefixes such as ‘ordinary’ to it. We’re not just ‘ordinary citizens’ or the ‘general public’, we are the intellectual, decision-making, civil society with histories, thoughts, and voices of our own. Our power lies in the expanse of us. When insignificance unites, terror murders authority and gives birth to change.

Fear has withheld us for long enough. Liberty of life is a promise to one and all, whose violation is a wound to freedom and the death of pragmatic thought.

We’re one, but one can become all, and one can represent all. We’re builders of the self, and builders of the self are builders of nations. As individuals, the world may seem too big, which it is, but unanimity takes you far, and when you go far, power becomes conspicuous.

Our minds seek answers. Our souls seek peace. If we struggle together, we move forward together. We speak together. We rise together.

History has sufficient evidence to prove unity as the foundation of the destruction of all things vituperative and all systems corrupt. We are bound by the same struggle, and while the colours of our ties might vary, the torment remains the same.

To the ruins of the potential of revolutions never led and wars never waged – our struggle is collective, and so will be our effort. We’re separated by flesh, but we’re all children of the same misery.

Let your identity be rooted in your strength, not chained by your fear.