Can Activists Be Good Human Beings?

"She and Gordon spoke little, except to argue the small and petty arguments of those who fear the big arguments, knowing that the only things that were left to be said were too huge to be said without destroying both their lives." (Smoke and Mirrors by Neil Gaiman)

A few months ago, I attended a dinner at a friend’s place. During introductions, my friend described me as someone associated with the BJP.

As the conversations progressed, one of the guests, a woman who I later learned was a left-wing activist, casually said: “I hope you all die.” Her statement, laden with hostility, left me wondering—why would someone wish death upon another that she had met mere minutes ago!

The woman, despite being highly educated, displayed an unsettling level of intolerance. This incident made me reflect on whether activists, regardless of their cause, can truly be good human beings.

Over the years, I have observed that activism often seems fueled by anger—an emotion that, whether inherited or shaped by early life experiences, becomes a driving force.

This anger, I believe, precedes the cause that just acts as a lightning rod. We rationalize our emotional inclinations and then align ourselves with organizations or ideologies. In short, the cause chooses you, than the other way around.

Self-Awareness in Activism

If activists were more self-aware, acknowledging the emotional underpinnings of their motivations, they might become more compassionate and balanced in their approach. Instead of discriminating based on beliefs—a form of bigotry no less harmful than racism, casteism, or sexism—we should judge people by their character and actions.

Martin Luther King Jr.’s urging to evaluate individuals by the content of their character rather than superficial attributes, resonates deeply here. Ideologies are merely belief systems, sort of signposts pointing to paths. They should not make us blind to the humanity of others.

Contradictions among Activists

The author, Manu Joseph has argued that activists who display outward empathy often have turbulent inner lives. Many are unkind to their families and friends as if their public compassion cannot coexist with personal harmony. This dichotomy raises questions about the emotional health of activists and the cost of their commitment to a cause.

Recent studies in the U.S., conducted around the time of polarizing elections, revealed an unsettling trend: Democrats were seven times more likely than Republicans to sever friendships or avoid business dealings with people holding opposing political views.

Interestingly, these tendencies correlated with higher education levels, suggesting that ideological rigidity is not confined to the uneducated.

Elon Musk commented that he believes that the Right thinks of the Left as misguided, while the Left outrightly hates the Left.

While most activists are not inherently evil, for they care about something and are willing to make sacrifices for them. But, their inability to manage their personal emotions and relationships can detract from their noble intentions.

The great ones, like Shankara or Buddha, teach us to transcend anger in their activism, letting righteousness and compassion guide their efforts. They serve as a North Star for what activists should aspire to be.

Politicians are milder

Political activists often exhibit more ideological rigidity than practicing politicians. Politicians, though guided by beliefs, are typically pragmatic and value the art of the possible.

In contrast, hyper-polarized debates on social media are exhausting and unproductive. The younger generation, perhaps recognizing the toxicity, is moving away from these platforms.

So how do we address these challenges?

Activists often sacrifice a part of themselves for a larger cause, but they risk losing perspective. Modern therapy, which many of my liberal friends rely on, often fails to address the deeper issues.

Therapy sometimes appears more focused on perpetuating dependence than fostering genuine healing. It does not always confront the primal emotions driving our behavior, instead masking them with coping mechanisms.

I propose an eight-fold path to alleviate the aforesaid human suffering:

1. Focus on Ideas: Strive for rationality in your beliefs and actions.

A Call for Duty

Activism, at its best, should inspire positive change without losing sight of humanity. Uncontrollable external events must not be allowed to have a disproportionate say in our lives. If you take a quantum approach to argue, in every thread of the multi-verse the only constant is you and every thread has its pros and cons.

For the sake of personal growth and as an example for the next generation, people in their 30s and 40s must elevate themselves to become more responsible citizens, in the way they engage in political arguments. This requires cultivating empathy, engaging in meaningful dialogue, and embodying the values they wish to see in society. 

Taming our inner beasts should be part of not just self-care, but also a milestone in becoming healthy social beings. By tempering our anger with love and our convictions with self-awareness, we can strive to be better individuals and, ultimately, better activists.