sorry if this is off topic, i really don’t know who else to ask about this.

basically back in march i attended a peaceful protest that ended up having heavy police presence and all it took was one small thing and suddenly i was seeing protesters get brutalized really badly by police and i left because i was terrified.

fast forward to today, more protests regarding the same issue are picking up again and because i still run in these circles, I’ve been asked to come a few times but i’m still terrified after that last time and the thought of being there again around so many people and so many cops makes me feel like i’m going to vomit.

has anyone else experienced this and how do you recommend i stay involved with the movement while afraid of being on the frontlines again?

once again sorry if this is off topic

Originally posted by u/Just_Lime5134 on Reddit.

Top comment by u/Wackrobat

There are many ways to be an activist. Ways that help people directly right now. Mutual aid, networks, community building, skill sharing/teaching, organization, etc…

Not everyone has to be a frontliner in the Revolution. The lesbians that took care of gay men with AIDS during the crisis are just as important as the queer people that torched cop cars during the White Night Riots. We all contribute in our own ways using the skills and resources we have access too.

That’s one of the big reasons I became a therapist specialized in queer populations. These are skills I have accumulated with the resources I’ve had access too and I will use them to help people who need it right now. I also host community convos on how to do/organize activism in sustainable ways to avoid burnout.