The Importance of Anonymity

At the ND2B Coalition Substack we provide an environment where contributors and discussants can participate anonymously. The Coalition is part of the Indivisible movement to support democracy and defeat authoritarianism. One of our values is that “we don’t put our faith in individual politicians. We put our energy into organizing…and supporting and collaborating with the people and communities most impacted by injustice.”

One of the most powerful strategies of authoritarianism is to silence the people and communities most impacted by injustice. As authoritarian regimes tighten their grip on a nation, they expand the groups who are endangered if they speak openly and participate in democratic movements. Today teachers, government workers, and employees at some companies can lose their jobs if they openly share their political views or participate in resistance to authoritarianism. These at-risk communities and individuals can safely participate in planning resistance and preparing for a just democracy if they have anonymity.

Those with privilege and people who choose to have a public stance against authoritarianism can stand in solidarity with those who need to be anonymous by intentionally being part of an anonymous community. The ND2B Coalition Substack is such a community.

Most posts are original essays that offer analysis and observations from anonymous authors. Some posts begin with an article that has been published somewhere else, a Substack post, NYT article, government document. Then an anonymous author starts a conversation about the article.

Of course, you can comment on ND2B Coalition posts using your Substack name. Or you can use the secure website, manyrabbitholes.net to leave an anonymous comment or article to be posted by the Coalition. The editors at ND2B coalition will post your article or comment on Substack anonymously.

There are many places in the social media environment where people can post to build their personal brand or in a small number of cases earn money by posting. This contributes to building movements like Indivisible. However sadly, this too often results in content designed to build audience or collect “likes”. ND2B Coalition Substack’s goal is to offer a social media environment where people who are reluctant to engage using their name can anonymously submit essays and participate in dialog as we prepare the way to end authoritarianism and build a just society that works for all.