I feel like this post might end up being a rant ha ha - and for that I apologise. But I want to share something with you today that has been showing up for me over the last couple of years.
There’s a phrase that I stumbled upon a while back that articulates so much of what I feel about the state of our planet. It originates from Juvenal, a Roman poet who was active in the late first and early second century. He used the term to describe how the government could effectively distract & placate citizens with just enough sustenance & light entertainment.
“Give them bread & circuses and they will never revolt”
Cicero, a Roman statesman remaked -
"The evil was not in bread and circuses, per se, but in the willingness of the people to sell their rights as free men for full bellies and the excitement of games which would serve to distract them from the other human hungers which bread and circuses can never appease."
I guess you’re wondering why I’ve led you down a rabbit hole talking about Roman history ? I’ve been fascinated with this phrase, and more so, the belief behind it since I very first heard it - because, let’s be honest, things aren’t much different these days are they ?
Perhaps it’s not always the government doling out the bread and circuses, right now it feels like it’s fuelled by huge corporations, social media platforms & the media at large - but either way, it’s insanely prevelant right now. The 21st century version ? Fake news, reality tv shows, celebrities and sugar.
Earlier this year, in the midst of the Black Lives Matter protests, I was watching footage of police brutality with tears streaming down my face - angry tears. How the fuck is this happening in 2020 ? Why are we not , collectively, looking at this and demanding change ? How is that, after a few days of it being on the news, most folk went back to their normal lives, seemingly forgetting about it all ?
Same goes with the bushfires in Australia and the wildfires in the US - we need to be paying attention. Trump has been a master of these circus antics - creating noise and BS news whilst sneakily reversing environmental rules.
Here’s my take on it - You cannot possibly be tuned in to every issue. You can’t be effective in change making across the board. But holy smokes, please pick something.
I know, I know - the ‘news’ has been pretty full on this year. And I think we’ve all had moments of extreme fatigue or anxiety, when we just can’t bare to hear another story about coronavirus.
But let’s be honest - If there was ever a year to refuse your bread & circuses - this should be it. My approach ? Seek out the folk who are doing the same. Be inspired by those who are side stepping small talk and are willing to dive into the real conversations that we need to have.
Remember that you are not separate from these issues. We are interconnected to every single one - which means you can create positive impact wherever you are.
Find your thing. Be it climate change, gender equality, poverty, ocean conservation - and go all in.
I know one thing for sure - Magic happens when we build a sense of agency.