We all have something to do to change the ills happening around us. But then, what is stopping us from doing those things? Is the question that we need to answer.
Its a trite saying that, evil prevail because the good people refuse to do anything about it. But then, there must be something stopping them from doing it.
Sometime, its the fear of witch hunting.This fear is predicted upon the tactic government or it's agencies deploy to scare away anyone speaking against the government, especially involving their wrong doing. This witch hunting may happen in the form of bringing up allegation against you, or having the state apparatus like police to threaten you. So, because of the fear of that, one may choose not to take any action.
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Sometimes it's religion that stop people from taking action. some religion leaders preach against taking protest action against those in government or any protest at all. Some even say their religious books is against protest. So, for that reasons, many are deter from taking any action to change the wrong or hold the government accountable for their wrong doing.
Procrastination is another thing that stop people from taking action. Leaving something that is supposed to be done now to another time, Has been one of the reason why people don't take action some times.
Sometimes what stop people from taking action is that, they feel they are not only ones suffering from that which is affecting them. my area used to have a bad road. The best action should have been that everyone should make a repair of the road close to his house. But no one was willing to start the repair. They feel relaxed and comforted that the problem was a general one affecting everyone. So the zeal to do anything about it was not there.
Sometimes is poverty. some action involve money. Some Action like petition involve finance. So the lack of money may stop some action from happening. And other times, people feel the court can not give justice to the poor. Considering the fact that the judges can be bought over. Therefore they see no need to even start taking the action.
Having said all that, I think action is necessary to see positive change in our lives or society. And everyone have something to do no matter how small it may be.