I’m still of the mindset that change is evolution, not revolution. After much experience, it’s taken me some time to realize this. I know this now because resistance to any power reinforces the power it resists. In other words, when I resist anything, I confirm its existence. If I see a flawed system, the worst thing I can do is attack it head-on. There isn’t a problem unless someone else with the power to change it sees that there is a problem.

In most cases, the person in power has no incentive to change. A revolution leaves me tired and powerless. The energy I put into fighting can be reserved for creating something new. I’ve always been the person who would call out of the problem, but with experience, I’ve learned that being that person only makes me perceived as negative. Instead of pointing out problems, I should feel empowered to find solutions to bypass these problems. While naming issues, I’ve only felt stuck and disempowered to do anything.

The purpose of a system is to exist. It doesn’t know whether it’s an effective system or not. Outdated systems used for long periods typically have deep roots embedded in them that make it difficult to uproot. A system, whether social norms, organizational structure, or personal habits, will make it hard for anyone to change it without struggle.

As someone who constantly pointed out the problems with the systems I worked with, I began to polarize myself against my coworkers. They worked with the same systems as I did. Some felt personally attacked because they helped create the system I had issues with. When this became the dynamic, fighting against the system became the focal point rather than finding a solution. Again, it takes everyone involved to realize that there is an issue, not just me. If someone disagrees, we’ll spend most of the time arguing. Instead, if I decided to build something new, I wouldn’t have to deal with anyone feeling slighted. People can see the new system’s benefits and choose which benefits them.

Think of Other Innovators

I haven’t considered many examples of innovation rather than revolution until now. The Wright brothers never had a bad word to say about rail travel. They didn’t need to fight trains. Instead, they decided to use their ingenuity to create the airplane, a more efficient means of traveling long distances. One could also say Martin Luther King Jr. didn’t resist systemic racism. When asked about his philosophy, he said he decided to be nonviolent, so he didn’t fight. He instead gave a vision where people of different colors can be equal and seek justice. This might be why MLK had a holiday, whereas Malcolm X was villainized. This is not to say that Malcolm X was not needed. He surely was, but after his trip to Mecca, I believe he had a bit of a change of heart in his approach.

Questions and Responses