Why do we try?

THE REASONS TO BE AN IDEALIST

For years, I was told that I was an idealist, and that I should stop.

The vision I had of the world to be would never be; simply because it was too perfect or beautiful or (worse for those in charge) fair for all.

I have encountered people who are realistic. They think they see the entire world is as it is right now.

Realistic people think we must deal with that reality within the present boundaries as efficiently as possible, with the least amount of fall-out for those in charge.

The question I have then is, how can we change — without discomfort?

The system has to change course, and changing course means challenges for all — not just the ones who cannot speak.

Or whom we do not want to hear because that would make us uncomfortable.

I have met people who call themselves pragmatists.

The world will continue generally along the lines it embraces now, so we must prepare within those parameters to retain the status quo of comfort.

Heating pumps and solar panels for all.

Because only then can we effectuate a change for the ‘better’ — which is not happening for ‘all’, at all.

So how do we create change from within the prevalent system, when we don’t realise ‘better’ and ‘all’ represents the presently already comfortable?

The need for comfort by those already comfortable comes at the price of more discomfort by the people living close to the mines, close to the tailings dams, close to train yards, close to the manufacturing plants, close to huge cities, close to the pollution.

What does ‘better’ look like when all changes we will allow exist within already pre-defined parameters of comfort?

And my final question: can we even envision that ‘better’ from the present system, or are we simply continuing the world’s present inequities to create ‘more equity’ for those people living in America and Europe?

Of course, there are also people who are embedded in the status quo.

They want the inequalities that exist now to continue. To be able to tell themselves and share with the world, their story. They do not want to consider a different perspective, one less comfortable, because the world is as it is.

And there are people who rebel. Actively and continuously.

The rebels know how to live better, they embody their philosophical foundation.

Rebels experience difficulties hearing any critiques of any kind because their ideology leads.

Compromise is a word they find extremely difficult. Because compromise means the ideology was imperfect to begin with.

Of course there are also people who challenge the world from their gut feeling of the world’s inequality.

The idealists.

Where is fairness? Where is justice?

Should we who are comfortable do with less, to share more?

Justice for all has been flung out from society, far into the future, along with climate action. If it doesn’t touch you as a person, it doesn’t really exist.

Yet I will continue to dream, with other idealists.

Because, unless there exist people who dream, where do we know to head?

Who will form the ideals we aim for as a society?

How do we know where to turn?

How do we know when to change direction?

When do we consider enough to be enough or not good enough?

I try because I cannot do anything else. I am proud to be an idealist. If I stop, it means I have given up — which I won’t, because I love this earth.

And I love all of it.