We Survived the End of the World Quotes

“Contemporary American society is the reverse of traditional Native American culture. Whereas Native communities value the group, the dominant society values the individual. In fact, it considers rugged individualism to be a virtue. It looks up to the “self-made” success story. It honors the person who can acquire more than anyone else. It likes heroes who can go it alone and role models who make their own rules. It disparages collective action as a herd mentality and prefers individuals with the right to do as they choose. For millions of people, individuality has evolved into individualism: a cult of personality in which they are the personality.”
― Steven Charleston, We Survived the End of the World: Lessons from Native America on Apocalypse and Hope

“...some people, out of their own prejudice and fear, will lash out when the truth is presented to them. They are not interested in halting apocalypse because they have a vested interest in not doing so.”
― Steven Charleston, We Survived the End of the World: Lessons from Native America on Apocalypse and Hope

“be to find that something so we can become the beacon for which we are searching.”
― Steven Charleston, We Survived the End of the World: Lessons from Native America on Apocalypse and Hope

“To question individualism is to question an addition of the dominant society, the mythic ground on which so much of our shared colonial history is centered.”
― Steven Charleston, We Survived the End of the World: Lessons from Native America on Apocalypse and Hope

“An apocalypse may very well bring us together to meet an imminent danger, but once that apocalypse has receded, it will not be strong enough to keep us together. Something greater than fear is needed to build community.”
― Steven Charleston, We Survived the End of the World: Lessons from Native America on Apocalypse and Hope