"Revolution is Not a Dinner Party"

In this age of over-consumption, ironically, it is rare that I come across something compelling enough to open a fresh Google Doc about. I stumbled upon a short film, titled As For The Fall. This is not a movie review, or a critique. It is mostly me drawing inspiration. 

There is a still in the film with graffiti on a wall that says ‘Revolution is Not a Dinner Party’. That phrase has seemed to encapsulate everything I feel about my upbringing and the world around me. 

Growing up in Delhi; South Delhi, I am often surrounded by people who pride themselves in not dirtying their hands with things like politics or basically any kind of real social issues. After all, when you’re part of the one percent, what could possibly bother you enough to take action instead of simply complaining. Your ‘coolest’ aunt or uncle will be someone who engages in armchair discussion about real-world problems, or who knows someone who knows someone who actually did something worthwhile.  

It is ironic how real action is often looked down upon in the circles I have observed since childhood. It always baffled me because from what I can tell, these are the people who have the means to make change. Instead, they spend it on grazing tables for their bi-weekly dinner parties. Apparently, once you educate yourself enough, there is no need to implement that information into something tangible, other than a cushy job at a renowned company. 

The perils of privilege cannot be spoken about in the same light as, well, actual perils. However, what bothers me every time is these echo-chambers that are created for kids to grow up in and further pass on to future generations. Before you give a child a chance to see if they might actually want to contribute towards making the world a better place, they are fed this narrative of beta iss sabh mai kuch nahi rakha. Discussions are often shunned by statements like this is how the world works or what can we even do about it. Because I mean, who wants to leave the comfort of their home to go file a public interest litigation right? Or so much as just reading about who your candidates are before voting. Or actually just voting in the first place. Power often comes with selfishness, is what I have learnt. Especially when the power is inherited, not earned. 

In law school, we are told that we are the kids who will make the world worth living, that we must fight for justice. And then we are also told that we must secure a 10LPA package before we graduate, otherwise, our degree is essentially useless. 

Hopelessness is a big thing where I come from. Because being hopeless is comfortable. It’s okay to live in a city so polluted that you inhale a pack of cigarrettes worth of smoke everyday, because your three dyson air purifiers will keep you safe and protected. It’s okay to live in a city which has one of the highest rates of rape in India, where the crime rate is higher than average, and where the roads are filthy. As long as it doesn’t affect you. As long as it doesn’t interfere with your dinner parties. 

Am I a hypocrite for participating in such culture? Yes, probably. But when you get access to these spaces, you often realise that the quality of conversation is often worse than the AQI in Delhi. And unfortunately, anyone who tries something different automatically becomes a black sheep. 

If there was something worse than surface level it would be the dinner party conversation. Revolution is not a dinner party. So where do I go to find it?