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Realize that we're winning. A sense of failure and hopelessness is normal for this stage in social movements.

We're all a bit burned out, but we need to stay engaged, stay positive, stay non-violent.

There are 8 stages to social movements. We're at stage 5.

Stage 5: Movement Identity Crisis — A Sense of Failure and Powerlessness

Those who joined the movement when it was growing in Stage 4 expect rapid success. When this doesn’t happen there is often hopelessness and burn-out.
It seems that this is the end of the movement; in fact, it is now that the real work begins.

Movement: numbers down at demonstrations, less media coverage, long-range goals not met. Unrealistic hopes of quick success are unmet. Many activists despair, burn out, and drop out. “Negative rebel” and “naive citizen” activities gain prominence in movement.

Powerholders and media claim that movement has failed, discredit movement by highlighting and encouraging “negative rebel” activities, sometimes through agents provocateurs.

Public alienated by negative rebels. Risk of movement becoming a subcultural sect that is isolated and ineffective.

Movement goals of Stage 5:

Recognize movement progress and success. Counter “negative rebel” tendencies.
Recognize that movement is nearing Stage Six and pursue goals appropriate to that stage.

Read the eight stages of social movements online

“We’re all a bit burned out, but we need to stay engaged, stay positive, stay non-violent.”

That probably isn’t going to work this time. I’m not directly advocating, but part of being conservative is to see reality as it is.

Non-violence doesn’t work very well when the other side has firepower and the determination to use it to quell opposition. And reconciliation becomes impossible when two sides have drifted so far apart as to have become ideological enemies, each of whom sees the other’s core philosophies as poison to their own natures.

Some years ago, while talking with a friend, he made a comment I still remember.

I made mention of the Amish’s ability to live outside the system if need be. He replied that they are only able to live like that because we permit them to.

His payoff line:
“How do you think the Amish would have fared against the Nazis?

This is a big ship, but it’s sinkin’ all the same. And close to half of the souls on board seem to want it to go in EXACTLY the direction it’s going — down.

We have two choices that I can see:
1. Hang onto our part of the ship and go down with ‘em, or...
2. Break off the stern, and let the bow sink along with the corrupt crew up on the bridge.

At some point _in the past_, it might have been possible to patch the leaks and save the entire ship. But not now — too much “water in the bow” to have hope of ever “righting” it again.

I know full well what I’m implying. So be it.

But I’m old, and a realist, and that’s what I see.