Everyone has a part to play in the revolution. No one is exempt. This is a full contact spectator sport. There are no “civilians” or “Non-combatants”. Telling yourself that you have chosen to not participate, is a form of participation.
This is highlighted in the book trilogy the Hunger Games. Katniss leads the revolution, but it was her sister that inspired the whole thing. Katniss would not have been alive to even volunteer for the Hunger Games, if it had not been for her sister, Prim. Prim is the most harmless innocent, kind and compassionate human being who has ever graced Panem. She did not belong. When their father died, their mother went into shock and a walking coma. She neglected to feed and care for her children.
It was Katniss’ love for Prim, that spurred Katniss to learn to gather food and hunt. Prim, the last person to ever join a revolution, not a rebellious bone in her body, was the reason Katniss overthrew the government.
It’s easy to dismiss our role in the bigger picture just because we don’t see it. But it is impossible to miss in hindsight. Katniss won the hunger games, but not entirely of her own effort. It was because she allied with little Rue, that Rue’s district sent bread to Katniss. Gale didn’t go to the Hunger Games, but he did help Katniss feed her family, both before and during the Hunger Games. The Mayor of the town bought contraband strawberries from Katniss which helped Katniss feed her family. Haymitch didn’t fight in the Hunger Games, but his ability to get sponsors saved Katniss’ life several times.
All of us in real life are either Prim, Rue, Gale, or Haymich. We don’t have to have direct contact to know that we are helping the cause. Just being alive is an act of defiance.
Don’t give up, we’re just getting started.