Lesson 5.1: Grassroots resistance
4. Safety and visibility
Visibility is both empowering and dangerous. Communities must constantly assess risk. Some activists choose to remain public despite personal harm. One German participant asked:
‘Who does it if not me? And if I leave … no one will do it.’
Others rely on pseudonyms, coded art, private events, or closed digital spaces. These decisions reflect a spectrum of strategies rather than a hierarchy: both strategies are political and both are necessary.
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Managing visibility requires collective effort. Digital safety training, emotional support, and shared decision-making help communities weigh risks and reduce individual vulnerability. |