Hello! My name is Carey Wedler, and I make videos about freedom, peace, and all the ways the government and the ruling class it empowers subvert these extraordinary human values. If you know me at all, it’s probably as the girl who blowtorched her Obama shirt a few years back (a YT video pushing 2 million views) or became a “self-hating Jew” for calling out Israel’s crimes against humanity.
But I didn’t always have these opinions. In fact, if you’re ever feeling down about how programmed and mindless much of the population seems to be, I’m here as living proof that even the staunchest indoctrination can unravel.
Rewind to the year 2008. I was standing in the pouring rain at UCLA, waiting in line to see Michelle Obama, Oprah, and Caroline Kennedy speak on behalf of then-candidate Barack. He wasn’t even going to be there, but I stood outside in my rainboots mulling over fantasies of him flying in via helicopter at the last minute and making an appearance (he didn’t).
Had you told me back then that Obama was just another disingenuous politician, I would have recoiled with incredulity, flared my nostrils at you in a huff, and told you you’d regret neglecting to make history by voting for him. I would have proceeded to stew over the conversation for at least a day, indignantly, silently scolding you for your ignorance until I blocked your reasoning out of my mind.
Oops.
Like most Americans who believe they’ve fulfilled their civic duty by going to the polls once every four years, I did my part on November 4, 2008, and retreated back into ignorance (truth be told, I was living in ignorance during the campaign, too; my sole information on Barack was that music video a bunch of celebrities made set to the words of one of his speeches, which, in my defense, were very pretty).
But it wasn’t just general statist programming that drove me. As a Los Angeles native, I grew up deeply entrenched in the Hollywood atmosphere, obsessed with physical perfection and what others thought of me. Consequently, I was perpetually insecure and had little to no faith in myself, my capabilities, and my fundamental worth. Though I had always been drawn to rebellious movements, studying history and always taking classes that focused on revolution, I channeled that into the false promises of Obama, never realizing the need for dissent continued into his presidency and beyond it.
Without any sense of direction but extensive knowledge of famous people’s weddings and break-ups, after college, I started an internship reading scripts at a movie studio in 2011 with a vague hope of becoming a screenwriter. But after a few months of sitting in an office where people dressed in stylish clothes and spent their days calculating how much money a low-budget dance movie remake might generate, I was restless. I felt unfulfilled.
I also felt stupid. I had no idea what was going on in the world, so when the Arab Spring began, I felt compelled to google the news, and I found Obama was bombing the Middle East, had appointed bankers to his administration, and was just another snake oil salesman with particularly seductive rhetoric. And that’s how I was radicalized on the second floor of a popular Hollywood film studio.
I was shocked. I was outraged. Seeing that my savior Obama had not, in fact, delivered change was the first thing that spurred my journey away from traditional mainstream dogma. But the more I researched, the more I re-examined my education in history through a skeptical lens — and the further down the rabbit hole I tumbled.
Across history, the most death, oppression, deceit, and suffering has been perpetuated by governments. Dictators, monarchs, and presidents alike have inflicted these suffocations of freedom, whether by edict, the approval of Congress, or simply violating the constitution with the flick of a pen. The philosophical programming I had absorbed since grade school — that I was free because I could vote and democracy meant representation and self-agency — disintegrated. Voting hadn’t stopped the wars, it hadn’t ended the Fed, it hadn’t reigned in police brutality and corporate exploitation. It served, more than anything, to provide a false sense of control over our own lives and the lives of others — even if voters didn’t see it that way. Voting once every four years and expecting power-seekers to be my keeper wasn’t working for me.
As Mohammed Mossadegh, the ousted Iranian leader who fell victim to a CIA coup, said, “If I sit silently I have sinned.”
That’s why I started making videos, and why I still do to this day. I can’t watch the world burn and keep my mouth shut.
Of course, my message has shifted over the years, especially since 2016. Whereas I used to rage at my camera and lash out at those who still believe in the false savior of government, I’ve learned to cultivate compassion and patience, not only because you catch more flies with honey, but also because constantly spewing negativity was tearing my soul apart. If there’s anything I know for sure, it’s that the world doesn’t need more vitriol (disclaimer: sometimes I do have to call out what I view as cognitive dissonance and hypocrisy (¯_(ツ)_/¯), though I’m learning to do it in a gentler way.
I started doing yoga in 2013, became a certified instructor in 2014, and began a daily meditation practice shortly after (in truth, it wasn’t until 2017 that I really started to turn a corner in cultivating kindness). Sometimes I still want to be a sarcastic b*tch and punch people… but I’ve finally learned to pause and breathe before I react (most of the time, it’s a practice, after all). As it stands, how many people calling me names and raging at me in all caps on the internet have changed my mind?
It isn’t always easy, and I’ve also learned that my anger isn’t just because of how troubled the world is. As humans, we carry trauma and emotional suffering from our personal experiences. I can’t blame the government — or even Hollywood — for all of my inner suffering and lack of self-love. In some ways, I channeled this pain into my videos and projected my own issues into the political world and onto others, as I see so many doing now in the age of Donald Trump — whether they love or hate him.
As I continue to make videos and write articles, I’ve found changing the world isn’t just about raising awareness about injustice and, from my standpoint, waking people up to the inherently coercive, violent nature of the state. It isn’t just about speaking out. It’s also about healing the parts of ourselves that make us psychologically crave comfort from and control of the state, that lead us to put our faith in deceitful, manipulative politicians, and that allow us to hate each other so fervently and be turned against each other by narrative crafters and power-mongers. It’s about going inward to find true freedom as we also seek it in the external world.
If we are to someday live in a truly free society — one free of government and coercion — I want people to be nice, and I want to be nice to others. I don’t want to live in a world where people are terrible to each other (which is, in my experience, usually a consequence of being terrible to themselves).
In order to achieve this free society, I believe spreading knowledge, raising awareness, and pursuing inner healing are key, but so is promoting and living actual solutions and alternatives. It’s about raising practicing solutions outside corrupt institutions (whether using cryptocurrency, cultivating community gardens, supporting credible independent media, using and supporting 3D-printing technology, and volunteering in our communities, for example). We can rant on the internet all we want, but if we don’t show others a new path, it’s doubtful they will make their own.
One solution that breaks away from the established system is Steemit.
I’ve joined this platform as I’ve watched my reach on Youtube slowly dwindle. As a journalist and editor-in-chief for theantimedia.org, I’ve also watched algorithms destroy our exposure. I support independent media and decentralized, alternative forms of communication, and Steemit is a great example of how a community can thrive without the need for central planning or domineering authority.
I look forward to sharing my articles and videos with you all. Once I’ve paid off some matrix-accrued debts (credit card, car payment — I’m almost there!), I will be reserving a portion of my earnings here for charities.
PEACE, and thank you for reading!
My Links:
Steemit: https://steemit.com/@careywedler
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/CareyWedler
Anti-Media: http://theantimedia.org/author/careyw1/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs84giQmEVI8NXXg78Fvk2g
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/careywedler
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CareyWedler/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/careywedler
Great to have you here! Enjoy.
I was a fan when you sang I got a crush on Obama. I was a bigger fan when you trashed him into the ground and set fire to that ideology. You're awesome. I've resteemed you to 10k people on the platform. Hopefully that helps you get off to a good start.
Wanna come on a radio show with me? Come find me in this Discord group: minnowpond.org.
I'm also gonna hit you with the @minnowsupport vote for 100%. Welcome to Steem!
Hi! Thank you so much for your support! I'd love to come on your radio show. :)
Also, fun fact, fortunately (for my pride/dignity) I wasn't the "crush on Obama" girl! But when my video went viral there were some reports that confused me with her, and I also eventually became known as the "Obama girl," so the confusion makes sense, especially considering that archived status update I shared in this post. :p
Thank you for the warm welcome, I look forward to getting in touch!
Cool. My show is on from 8-midnight est on Sunday nights. Let's plan on having you join me for 30-60 min. Can that work?
Sometimes a mistaken story becomes part of your legend...
Its really nice giving a boosting welcome to her, you have a kind heart @aggroed
really nice, check out my #sevendaybnwchallenge , follow and upvote for upvote
Now that's a great start on Steemit. She will hit the ground running.
Welldone that is very nice of you ..... What do u all think of the thriller of my recent movie https://d.tube/v/pberrylove/ql51ubf5
Yeah, agreed. Such an awesome thing to do for her! Happy new years my friend.
@aggroed, someone want to squash a bug that stole Carey's post to use as their own? The handle is @luckygameio. That profile's content is probably all stolen. I shared the link in #steemcleaners-public on steemit.chat as well. /thank
Good to hear from you , I hope we can share information here, kindly follow back. Thanks
Awesome been a fan of your work for a long time. Welcome to steemit. Check out my blog, I am a fellow truther with a decent size following. Cheers.
Welcome Carey! Wish you the best here on steemit, it will make you forget about all other social media.
Hi, thank you! It's definitely looking that way, love it so far. :)
我仿佛也闻到了无比言论自由的气息！
Yeah... @careywedler, you are highly welcome to a community that rewards you for your intelligence (steemit). Stay cool
really nice, check out my #sevendaybnwchallenge , follow and upvote for upvote
:)
Just came here to find introduceyourself trending for inspiration. This was a very nice introduction, the first one I read. I don't know if I can make anything as "real" or brave for myself. But I liked the theme; focusing on your core values and what is actually within your control in times like these.
I have visited the US on many occasions now (mostly California), and I love the country and it's people, but since November 2016 I've found myself lucky not to be American for the simple reason that I can distance myself from everything that is going on politically right now much more easily. But I think it's a good exercise in finding self-balance and practicing reaching out to people with different viewpoints and finding understanding and common ground, but also standing firm on the non-negotiable moral principles. Keep practicing and good luck! :-)
Welcome, Carey! Thanks for sharing your story of illusion and disillusionment! I had a similar experience with Obomber. Glad you were (a rare one) able to throw off the spell! When you talk about people being more kind, I realized you may be thinking along the same lines I am, so I want to share with you my passion. The spread of empathy. Have you heard of NVC (Nonviolent Communication) by Marshall Rosenberg? Anyway, it's a way of communicating that is fully in-line with Voluntaryism. Here's an article that describes it: https://steemit.com/voluntaryism/@scottermonkey/language-of-liberation
Hey! Thanks for the welcome! I read NVC a few years back, and while I definitely understood the concepts on a rational level, I don't think my emotions had quite caught up. I'm learning to practice compassion every day and would probably enjoy reading it again. Thanks for sharing your article, too, I'll check it out! :)
Wow! Awesome! Awesome intro post.
I'm pretty new on steemit. Don't have visibility
Please do well to check out my introductory post
https://steemit.com/untalented/@loismark/introducing-my-humble-self-8ade5879e2383
Welcome to Steemit! Hope you feel at home here. You said something here that hits home with me and bears repeating because it's true: "Voting hadn’t stopped the wars, it hadn’t ended the Fed, it hadn’t reigned in police brutality and corporate exploitation. It served, more than anything, to provide a false sense of control over our own lives and the lives of others — even if voters didn’t see it that way. " <= needs to be memed. Take care and Steem on!
@OriginalWorks
Hi, thank you for the welcome! I'm glad you liked those lines! Those are my views on American democracy in a nutshell. :)
The @OriginalWorks bot has determined this post by @careywedler to be original material and upvoted it!
To call @OriginalWorks, simply reply to any post with @originalworks or !originalworks in your message!
Awesome, glad you;re here - upvoted and followed you! I do remember your t-shirt burning video! I can relate, I was also upset to find out Obama was just a puppet for the war machine. The frustration I had with facebook limiting my reach when I share my art is what brought me here too. SO glad to have found a better platform! The more time I spend on here the more facebook seems like a complete waste of time. Check out my recent post of 5 reasons Steemit is WAY better than Facebook! https://steemit.com/steemit/@adammillwardart/5-reasons-steemit-is-way-better-than-facebook
Glad to know you're enjoying Steemit and that you, too, broke away from the Obama hysteria! War has always been the biggest issue that drives me to speak out, so I'm glad to know there are others still around (as opposed to the Bush Jr. years when it was cool to be anti-war) who understand how terrible it is. :)
The American govt uses the media to brainwash people into supporting wars that have nothing to do with national security and everything to do with making tons of money for ultra rich psychopaths at the expense of people's sons and daughters. It baffles my mind how many people support war as the answer still in 2018, it's been almost 75 years since the "war to end all wars"..
Glad to see you here, Carey. Welcome :) Steemit is a good place. I'm hoping it can become a home for solid independent journalism. Your message of inner healing definitely resonates with me. Looking forward to seeing your posts.
Hi, thanks for the welcome! I'm so glad others are also invested in inner healing. I think it's so necessary for a peaceful society (and I definitely speak form my own experience and seeing how I've interacted with others as a result!).
Liberty first... then we talk peace!
Great first article, so good to see the World standing up to tyranny and aggression. Followed and resteemed.
Hi, yay, glad you liked it! Thanks for the follow and resteem! :)
Welcome to the amazing platform that is Steemit, where revolutionaries gather and REAL CHANGE is being created <3 I am stoked to hear more from you!
Thank you for the warm welcome! I'm so happy to on a platform outside the matrix!
Welcome to Steemit and thank you for sharing your journey and perspective. It is nice to see other people "wake up" from this distorted and distracted reality we live in. The great part of your journey is you have found a balance from within yourself and others - that "practice" of growth. It may not always be perfect, we all tend to believe what we think is a truth, but in reality, it may only be one small slice of the whole picture. When we can push past that barrier by gaining perspective and letting go of harmful ego shrouding cognitive dissonance we can begin to be more open. That will aid in helping bring more of a chance of productive dialogue between people. Within that dialogue, understanding and unity can begin to encompass those willing to look past differences and promote peace and love.There are too many deceptions and ways to divide humanity out there, its time we all start coming together. I wish you the greatest measure of success, and keep practising and continue to grow on a wonderful path and blossom!
Thank you for the lovely comment! I completely agree with your sentiment and think too often people (including myself) tend to focus on being right rather than actually connecting with others. I'm increasingly grateful for people who disagree with me and can express themselves in a calm, civil way. I think that does far more for healing humanity and fostering peace than simply screaming at people. :)
"....think too often people (including myself) tend to focus on being right rather than actually connecting with others." LOL With 7billion on the planet, why waste time with those who think you are wrong? Connect with TRUTHERS. Red Pill or c'ya. Right? Now all we need is a libertarian enclave like this... Tell us what you think about this young Italian Stallion's concept:
This is one of those posts that I couldn't read all the way through before I had to go back to my matrix-required regular job, BUT it was so good that I had to come back and finish it. When it started out I thought you were going tell us how wonderful the democrat progressives and Obama are (though I kept reading because @dollarvigilante, aka TDV had resteemed it and there must be hope for you). Thankfully it turned out to have a happy ending. I can relate to this post a little better than other anarchy/decentralization posts I have read recently.
Welcome to Steemit! We are all better off to have you! I am sure you will do quite well here.
Aw, I'm so glad this resonated with you! I don't often write articles as "myself." I'm usually in reporting mode so this is a new style for me. I'm glad you think it had a happy ending! Thanks for the kind words!
What a start !
Great first post! You will do very well here indeed!!
Great post, i think that one of the best in this category.
btw. you are so beautiful! :D
Intro post done right. Welcome to Steemit lovely.
Welcome to Steemit @careywedler . You will find many friends here that are willing to listen. Looking forward to your blogs. Cheers.
What a wonderful intro post. Welcome Carry. Nice to have you here! Upvoted and followed!
Welcome to Steemit @careywedler !
Steemit is home to some of the best Voluntaryist and Anarchy content on the web. I look forward to your contributions. 👍
Woohoo! I feel at home! :)
dude. 86 Virago is my all time fav bike. 750. not the big one. Tell me what you think about this from an AV entrepreneur's view
Thank you for sharing this with us Carey!
Welcome, glad to have you with us.
Hi @careywedler! You have received 0.1 SBD tip + 0.08 SBD @tipU
from @spiritualmatters :)
Check out new tipuvote! feature :)
Welcome to the world of steem..
Welcome on Steem Carey! I've enjoyed a couple of your video on Youtube in the past and so I'm glad to have you here! I'm following you now!
Woo hoo! Another Peacemonger! Welcome to Steemit!
We agree in a number of areas, including governmental crimes against humanity, their capitulation to corporate and monied donors, and their utter failure to do their freaking jobs - for decades now, and counting.
I grew up in L.A., attended Santa Monica College and UCLA, moved to Tampa Bay in the 80s, and to Tennessee in 2011. Thinking twice about that latter move in light of our unremitting cold, but then again, on most nights we have a clear view of the Milky Way, which is something you just don't get in L.A.
Also into yoga, energy medicine, meditation, organic growing and culture, art, music, philosophy and creating peace in every way possible!
Feel free to connect with me:
https://www.facebook.com/cori.macnaughton
https://www.linkedin.com/in/cori-macnaughton-60243710/
https://www.instagram.com/crescendoofpeace/
Inspired and inspirational.
The world needs more folks similar to you.
I am an artist/writer/lightworker and agree with all you say - my message to help heal the world is couched in what I term "Kitchen Sink Spirituality"; I invite you to pop by mine for a browse if you have a spare mo,
I sense that you will be a big batter here - you surely 'have it all going on'.
:)
I wish you well on your journey and look forward to reading/watching more from you over the coming months.
With Love.
xox
Sounds like you've lived quite a life these last ten years in how you've changed as a person.
I’m not gunna lie..... I’ve totally been crushing on you since I saw your first video on Facebook / YouTube years ago. You’re fucking awesome and I’m excited to know you’re on Steemit. We’ve definitely gained one hell of an asset as a community today with you coming on board.... with that said I’m blushing as I look around my office to see if anyone noticed as if I’ve said it out loud.... sigh SMH. Either way I hope you’re having a great day!
Yep I fan girled a little....
Welcome @careywedler !
Yes! Amazing introduction. I love your recognition of the importance of healing our own accumulated and inherited traumas. If everyone did this! Alas.. way easier said than done. If I can be as productive a blogger as you seem to be, then I'll be posting an article I'm working on about Ayahuasca in the coming days. It's really helped me so much with anger. Cheers! Sara
hi welcome to Steemit ! You'll see you feel like home here, it's only 15 days I'm here and I've ignored all the other social media I was actually using before.
I'm glad one more person sharing my views and hating the mainstream media is here, I totally agree with what you think about what the school teaches us, I hate the school system, even if I have made it until Masters degree level. It is just there to put robots into action, and at a time I started learning new things by myself, languages, informatics languages, and I never learned as fast as I did. Long live activists, I believe Steemit will overrun facebook and all those other gutter press where only hysteria and narrow-mindedness are present ! :D
That was such an amazing read! Good on you for fighting for what you believe in but it's great to see you steering away from negative and focusing on positive. Negative energy really does drain you and is more powerful than anyone realises! Thanks for spreading the knowledge too. I learnt a lot from this and can't wait to read more!
Welcome to steemit family! :)
Many that are now on the right gave B.O. a chance the first time around, but as in the political arena, the same ol same ol happened, the disgruntled fled as Hillary was no option.
Hello, a warm Steemit welcome to you!
Stay active on the site and follow, upvote and comment on other post.
There are also a lot of tools you can use that are helpful and you can find them at http://steemtools.com and find some you like.
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask. Have fun!
Glad to see you here Carey! See you next month at Anarchapulco!
Thank you so much for your help!!! See ya by the beach! :)
Good to have you onboard here Carey. I'm a big fan of Antimedia.com and feature it as a link at my Clarity of Signal site.
https://clarityofsignal.com/
I dig your work and your solid attitude about trying to expose war crimes and corruption. I also was a dem who went through a similar transformation as you after I realized Obama was working for the banksters and selling war.
You have a great attitude and are definitely going to do well here on Steemit and I wish you all the best.
Here's my latest piece on what's going down with the misreporting about Iran:
https://steemit.com/news/@clarityofsignal/inverting-reality-photos-of-anti-government-protests-in-iran-used-by-western-media-turn-out-to-be-images-from-pro-government
Welcome! Very nicely said. I enjoyed reading it and I resemble it greatly!
Welcome!
As someone who also enjoys speaking about world problems, political issues, and protects the rights of others even I personally disagree. I can genuinely tell you that I am excited to see your future content and hope to engage in enlightening conversations on both ends.
I am new to this community as well, but the potential and environment is incredible and I felt I needed to be a part of it - I'm sure you see the same.
I have upvoted and followed, hopefully I can earn a spot on your radar as well.
You are definitely fantastic, as they say in Venezuela "Eres Chevere", thank you for entering the world of steemit.
Welcome to steemit
Welcome to steemit... follow me @greatman4eva
Welcome to the community. I look forward to reading your posts.
You nailed your introductory post.
Upvoted and following.
YAY for a Wonder Woman gif! Well played (and well deserved for a stellar post). :)
This introduction is so inspirational for me. I am new to steemit and I needed something like this very much ! I love your attitude to spread knowledge and fight violence. Upvoted and following, Good luck !
Welcome to steemit Carey! Wow! Such a great endeavour you have there! I wish I have the courage that you have. Hope you enjoy this platform like other social media out there. Looking forward to your posts :)
Welcome Carey... do have a lovely experience and stay, here on steemit. I love the pictures, they are beautiful.
welcome to steemit family