Get a job, wasters

national | miscellaneous | opinion/analysis Monday October 23, 2006 19:29 by Waster?

'Get a job' is always the first criticism labelled at activists- should we go out and join the workforce or not? Are most activists on the dole? If so, why?

We live in troubled times -nothing new there you might say- but this time it IS different.

Whereas in the past, war, disease, emigration and misery might have been the reality for many, this time humanity as a whole is threatened because of the threats of global warming and a looming energy crisis. In addition, cut-throat capitalism pushes society into a crazy rat race encouraging us all to overconsume and overwork so that can pay for our ridiculous unsustainable lifestyles.
The politicians have failed us, our economic system has destroyed society and the planet ,and government inaction has therefore left a void for NGOs and activists to fill.

I don't know how many activists are on the dole, but there is certainly no shortage of full time activism to be done out there.
One of the problems I have is that voluntary work is not taken seriously in this country. Indeed, I think a lot of voluntary work should be paid work or grant aided (community work, environmental work etc. ). I've certainly done a lot of voluntary work and continue to do so (as opposed to activist work- sometimes there being a thin line between them).

So, yes -I'm on social welfare, but I also do more voluntary and activist work than most members of society will do in a lifetime. Quite apart from the fact that most work out there is incredibly boring and only serving to enrich already rich employers, it is frustrating to see so much 'real work' (i.e 'saving the world' to use an airy fairy hippy cliche!) to be done and yet, working in a regular job, no time is left for more worthwhile stuff.

In a way, it could be argued that just being on the dole and dossing around you are 'being a better citizen' in that you are contributing less to GDP (economic growth) since presumably you have much less spending power. However, I think the time for such 'passive activism' is over. I come into contact with plenty of dopeheads and doleheads who should be getting out there and doing more in whatever way they can (that might mean musicians who 'get the message through' through their lyrics' or writing to newspapers etc). And no, I don't mean working till you drop and having no life at all- I mean getting a balance. There's so much apathy and indifference out there, not least on our university campuses. So many students seem to be happy to study business and get drunk every second day. (not that there is anything wrong in studying biz if what you want to do is get to know your enemy.......)
The other thing I want to get across is that unless you're doing a job you like, or that is worthwhile, then why not join the dole queues -if it means you will use that time to get some 'real work' done?
such as: writing to newspapers/politicians on things that concern you, work for an NGO, demonstate over an issue you feel strongly about, set up an organisation to draw attention to an issue close to your heart, organise a debate/ show a film etc. (God, this is starting to sound like an Al Gore film!!!!). Any comments?