But resisters seem to be the much smaller group. Activists often speak about apathy, prevalent in many communities. However if we look more deeply, we will find the cause of our apathy stems more from the fear we feel surrounding despair than from indifference. Apathy is a defence that prevents one from facing fear. It is a refusal to feel that, which unattended, creates numbness and ultimately non-action.
Many people tend to follow what the family dictates-and in most cases it suggests obedience.
In place of hoping to see a change in that ancient pattern, maybe it is better to work out methods of involving more people in dialogue, and eventually in common projects. Empowerment may be a more promising concept than others that have been offered in the development debates of previous decades. Tangible change is not exactly around the corner. However, that does not dissolve my desire for change or diminish my will for accountable power. Even if it does turn out that empowerment has been just another phrase.