What does my grandmother, Star Trek, a deleted X post by Eric Trump and resistance have to do with each other?
On May 8th of 1989 Star Trek the Next Generation aired the episode “Q-Who”. In this episode we were introduced to the cybernetic humanoid race known as the Borg. They wanted every race they assimilated to lose their identity, freedom, and rights. They seemed powerful beyond belief. In later seasons they almost destroyed all of humanity, but humanity survived.
How did it survive? When they heard the powerful tell them that resistance is futile, they resisted. What can we learn from science fiction when facing seemingly impossible odds from a force much larger than us? Resist like hell!
We were exposed to this imaginary threat in the 80’s, but Gen X teenagers got to see real life resistance make a difference.
The Backdrop
The 1980s were marked by a rise in conservatism, which often presented obstacles to progressive social movements.
According to Amistad Digital Resource, in the first year of Reagan’s presidency the number of Americans living below the federal government’s poverty line grew by over two million. The conservative answer to this was to reduced federal assistance programs by 20 percent and cut federal assistance to state and municipal governments in June of 1982. Add to that a strong backlash to the civil rights movement that included strong opposition to school desegregation in the North, hostility to increased integration in higher education and professional occupations through affirmative action programs, and a resurgence of racial violence, the 80’s started off a few steps back.
As former governor of California Reagan had a history of disparaging protestors, threatening universities with harsh tax penalties, and using the National Guard to shut down free speech with intimidation and violence.
The message was clear, do not resist. The actions that allowed the rich to get richer and the poor to suffer further indignations was clear. We the people did not matter.
But there was more going on. The media was growing and changing. The market competition of newspapers, radio, network television and the new advent of cable news in a culture hungry for accurate information led to reporters amplifying voices seeking change.
Some of these voices were grassroots organizers who refused to be assimilated and resisted. And as those stories were told, nations paid attention, joined, and change was made. Resistance was not futile, it was necessary.
Public pressure from resistance movements led to legislative changes and government policy adjustments.
AIDS Activism

In the 80’s AIDS was new and on the rise. People were dying and the government response was to lean into the narrative that it was the gay cancer. But grassroots efforts introduced the world to Ryan White. Ryan White was a child who contracted AIDS though what was supposed to be a life saving blood transfusion. Instead, he received a death sentence.
He was given 6 months to live and even though he was able to go to school, parents and administrators did not understand the disease and did not allow him to go to the school. The family and concerned activists fought. Media picked it up. Ryan got to go back to school and with an international spotlight on him, he lived almost 6 years dying just before his high school graduation.
For those of us old enough to remember him, he was a bright light with an amazing smile. He went from not being allowed to play with other children and go to school to being a catalyst that met celebrities and dignitaries. The public resistance and love for one young boy created awareness, empathy, and removed stigma for this horrible disease.
The 80’s ended with the 1990 Ryan White CARE Act, which provided, and does to this day (for now) funding for HIV/AIDS research treatment.
It was not just memorial quilts in the national mall, but there were marches and a soundtrack to the crisis was created. As they marched, a soundtrack was chanted.
“Boy Blue” and “True Colors” by Cyndi Lauper, “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor, “People Have the Power” by Patti Smith, “And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda” by The Pogues, “I Want to Break Free” by Queen, “Smalltown Boy” by Bronski Beat, “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)” by Sylvester, “Like a Prayer” by Madonna, and “Jesus to a Child” by George Michael.
In the marches lyrics became battle cries, chants, and part of the resistance that could not be ignored.
It took almost a decade for change to begin, and there is still change that needs to happen not only in America, but the world in regard to AIDS and HIV research and treatment.
But Wait…There’s More!
The 1980s saw a surge in resistance against apartheid in South Africa. Environmental concerns gained traction with protests against nuclear power, toxic waste dumping, and deforestation, leading to increased focus on sustainability. Continued struggles for gender equality, including issues like reproductive rights and workplace discrimination, remained prominent and the needle kept moving forward in increments. Worker strikes and union activism fought for better wages and working conditions, particularly in industries facing economic challenges like the automotive industry that was not seeing improvement as promised by tariffs against Japan by Reagan. Finally, there was the civil rights movement. Despite the backlash, they continued to advocate for equal rights and address issues like racial profiling.
If you were a white Baby Boomer with a college degree, you had an amazing job and access to consumer goods the likes of which Gen Z will never get to experience. But if you were anyone else, you had to fight for every scrap and every right. And the reason we have these rights are not a benevolent government or politician bestowing them onto us. It is because resistance forced rights.
The grass roots activists needed their voice amplified so more would join. When enough were on the streets chanting the truth of the troubadours, the governments had to change because we the people are at our most powerful when we resist.
Storytime! Grandma and the Seeds of Change!

In 1988 a girl I was dating, who we refer to as Cassie in Gen X Watch, and I had lost a battle. A man in my church turned out to be her rapist when she was 16. I fought for justice, but we lost. I was more deflated than she was. She was pleased that someone believed her and stood up for her and with her. The best I could do was stand up to them but we could not beat them. All I saw was the loss and not the fact I fought.
I walked her out of my house and when I came back in feeling lost and dejected my grandmother lit a cigarette, straightened her house dress, and told me to sit down in the living room. I did. So did she.
She looked at me and said, “Pat. When you are shoved in the dirt and covered in shit, you are a seed planted and ready to grow. Growing means you’re going to have to push through the mud and shit. Weeds are going to try to choke you. But there are flowers everywhere you look that did that. Women can get an abortion. Jim Crowe is over. Seeds pushed through the dirt and shit and spread more seeds. You and that little girl lost but if you two keep pushing and keep fighting, you’ll get what you deserve.”
“Promise?” I asked
“No.” She said as she stamped out her cigarette. “But if you don’t fight to see the light, you’ll never get there. You know what I love and I hate about you?”
“What?”
“You’ll run into the gates of hell with a bucket of water for someone you love. But you don’t plan. Use that library card if you want to win because wishes and prayers don’t get you anywhere. Learning how to fight will. Wish or pray in one hand, shit in the other and tell me which gets full first. Fill that empty hand with a book or a sign or a goddam pen. That’s how you win and if you don’t win, at least you pushed.”
Resist and Grow

I know things are scary and there are people telling you that resistance is futile, but they are wrong. Resistance is how you grow. Stay informed about current events, learn who is resisting and how, know the rules, break a few, get a soundtrack to inspire you, and push! Resistance is not futile, even if you lose.
Stay Totally Awesome!
Stay True to You!
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