How to Succeed at Starting and Finishing a Fucking Revolution

Now go out there, raise some hell, and change the damn world.....

Dec 09, 2024

Starting a revolution is no walk in the park, and if you think it’s all about marching with signs and posting hashtags, you’re in for a rude awakening. A real revolution is messy, intense, and requires some serious guts. It’s about shaking the foundations of whatever bullshit system is holding people back. So if you’re ready to start some shit and fight for what matters, here’s your guide to doing it right.

Fight Back Against The System:

Wendy’s Resistance Playbook 1: Resist HERE
Wendy’s Resistance Playbook 2: Become a Poll Worker HERE
Wendy’s Resistance Plabyook 3: Fight Locally HERE
Wendy’s Resistance Plabyook 4: Operational Security HERE
Wendy’s Resistance Plabyook 5: More Operational Security HERE

1. Figure Out What the Hell You’re Fighting For

You can’t start a revolution if you don’t know what you’re trying to change. Seriously, take a second to ask yourself: What’s the problem, and why does it piss me off so much? Revolutions are born out of deep, unshakable anger at injustice, so you’ve got to know what you’re mad about.

Be clear as fuck. Saying “I want to make things better” doesn’t cut it. Better how? Better for who? Spell it out.
Keep it real. People need to know how this issue screws them over, so make it relatable. “End corporate greed” sounds nice, but “Stop billionaires from dodging taxes while the rest of us can’t afford rent” hits harder.
Dream big. If you’re not aiming to flip the system on its ass, is it even a revolution?

2. Get Yourself a Ride-or-Die Crew

A revolution is not a solo project. You need a team of badasses who are just as fired up as you are. These are the people who’ll have your back when shit gets hard—which it will.

Diversity matters. You don’t want an echo chamber. Get people from different backgrounds, perspectives, and skill sets. A tech nerd, a logistics pro, and a social media whiz can all bring something to the table.
Trust is everything. If you can’t trust your team to handle their shit, your revolution’s doomed. Build strong relationships upfront.
Know your roles. Someone’s gotta be the brains, someone’s gotta be the face, and someone’s gotta be ready to bail everyone out of jail.

3. Craft a Kickass Message

Your revolution needs a rallying cry, something that makes people stop scrolling, listen, and give a damn. If your message doesn’t slap, nobody’s gonna care.

Keep it simple, stupid. Three to five words max. Think “Black Lives Matter” or “Fuck the Patriarchy.” Short, bold, and impossible to ignore.
Hit ‘em in the feels. People don’t join revolutions because of spreadsheets. They join because they’re mad, sad, or hopeful.
Repeat, repeat, repeat. Say your message so many times that even your enemies start quoting it by accident.

4. Get Loud on Social Media

Let’s face it, revolutions in the digital age need a strong online presence. Social media is your megaphone. Use it to spread your message, organize events, and call out bullshit.

Pick your platforms. Twitter for news, Instagram for visuals, TikTok for viral shit. Use them all.
Be visual as hell. People scroll past text, but they’ll stop for a fiery video or a powerful image.
Engage with your people. Respond to comments, share stories, and make everyone feel like they’re part of something bigger than themselves.

5. Start Small, Think Big

Rome wasn’t built in a day, and your revolution won’t take off overnight. Focus on small wins first. They build momentum and prove your movement is the real deal.

Local is powerful. Change your community first. Organize a protest, get a petition going, or make some noise at city hall.
Early wins are gold. Even small victories—like getting a shitty policy overturned—show people that you mean business.
Momentum is key. Use each win to build energy for the next fight.

6. Make It Inclusive or GTFO

Nobody wants to join a movement that feels like a high school clique. If your revolution isn’t for everyone, it’s gonna fail. Period.

Center marginalized voices. The people most affected by the issue should be leading the charge.
No gatekeeping. Let anyone who cares about the cause get involved, whether they’re seasoned activists or total newbies.
Call out assholes. Racism, sexism, or any other bullshit in your ranks? Shut it down immediately.

7. Prepare for Backlash

Let’s be real: if you’re doing it right, people in power are gonna hate you. They’ll call you names, smear your movement, and maybe even try to shut you down. Get ready.

Control your narrative. Don’t let the haters define your revolution. Stay ahead of their bullshit with clear messaging and transparency.
Stay safe. Encrypt your communications, keep your plans on a need-to-know basis, and don’t make yourself an easy target.
Lean on your people. When the backlash comes, having a strong support network can keep you grounded.

8. Keep the Fire Burning

Revolutions are marathons, not sprints. Burnout is real, and if you don’t take care of yourself and your team, your movement will fizzle out.

Celebrate wins. Take time to acknowledge and enjoy the progress you’ve made. It keeps morale high.
Share the load. Delegate tasks and let others step up when you need a break.
Remember the why. Revisit your mission whenever shit gets tough. It’ll remind you why you started in the first place.

9. Build Alliances Like a Pro

You’re not in this alone. Other groups and movements might share your goals—or at least overlap with them. Build those bridges.

Find common ground. You don’t have to agree on everything to work together.
Collaborate strategically. Pool resources, co-organize events, or amplify each other’s messages.
Be authentic. Nobody wants to team up with someone who’s just in it for clout.

10. Know When to Pivot

If something isn’t working, don’t be afraid to change it up. Stubbornness kills revolutions. Adapt to new challenges, learn from mistakes, and stay flexible.

Pay attention to feedback. Listen to your team, your supporters, and even your critics.
Stay creative. New tactics and ideas keep your movement fresh and unpredictable.
Keep your eyes on the prize. The goal is change, not sticking to a rigid plan.

11. Inspire the Hell Out of People

At the end of the day, revolutions succeed because they inspire people to believe in something bigger than themselves. Be bold. Be unapologetic. And make people want to fight alongside you.

Citations

Freire, Paulo. Pedagogy of the Oppressed. Bloomsbury Publishing, 1970.
Zinn, Howard. A People’s History of the United States. Harper Perennial, 1980.
Alinsky, Saul D. Rules for Radicals. Vintage, 1971.
Tufekci, Zeynep. "Twitter and Tear Gas: How Social Media Changed Protest Forever." The Atlantic, 2017.
King Jr., Martin Luther. Letter from Birmingham Jail, 1963.
Gladwell, Malcolm. "The Tipping Point." Little, Brown and Company, 2000.
Solnit, Rebecca. Hope in the Dark. Nation Books, 2004.
Fisher, Dana R., and Loren C. Collingwood. "The Activists: How the Tea Party and Occupy Wall Street Reshaped American Politics." Oxford University Press, 2020.