Guiding Principles of Resistance Under Repression

My kid is having a tough time with the current political climate and asked how to handle it. This was all I could tell them.

Understand that power isn’t monolithic Even the most oppressive regimes rely on obedience, legitimacy, and cooperation from many layers of society. Identifying and exploiting fractures within that system can be more powerful than direct confrontation.
Use low-visibility, decentralized tactics When open protest is too dangerous, resistance can take quieter forms: art, small acts of defiance, mutual aid, information sharing. These sustain morale and spread awareness without putting everyone at risk.
Build resilient networks Focus on relationships of trust. Have redundant ways to communicate, coordinate, and provide aid if repression increases. The strength of the network determines the movement’s survival.
Control your own narrative Fascism thrives on propaganda and fear. Counter it with truth, humor, and symbols that carry moral weight. Storytelling and art can undermine authority in ways overt protest cannot.
Expect repression and plan for it Assume surveillance, arrests, and propaganda attacks. Have contingency plans: legal aid, emergency contacts, safe exits, and methods for protecting others.
Hold on to ethical coherence Resist the temptation to mirror the cruelty or dishonesty of your oppressors. Integrity is a shield. If the movement loses its moral clarity, it becomes what it opposes.
Seek leverage points within power structures Not everyone inside the system is loyal to tyranny. Winning over or neutralizing insiders—bureaucrats, officers, business leaders—can erode the regime’s stability.
Recognize and join tipping points Fear keeps people silent until someone acts. Small acts of courage often cascade into mass defiance. Timing and trust in others’ bravery are crucial.
Document everything Keep evidence of abuses, testimonies, and events. Truth is a weapon and a record for future justice. Authoritarian regimes depend on erasing memory; resist that erasure.
Stay flexible and keep learning No single method works everywhere. Study other movements, experiment carefully, and adapt to changing conditions. Survival and persistence are forms of victory.