I’m a member of a group of people who like myself believe in independence for Scotland. We’re not politically aligned with anyone and leave such decisions to each of our members to make in private. There are several issue and obstacles what we need to overcome if we are to achieve our goal. One such problem is the fact that the “movement” is so fragmented and disjointed with little to n o information or communication being made between each of the support groups and hubs that no actual progress is being made and as an actual movement we're fracture and broken.

The first step is communication. Simple as that might sound it's really quite far from it with many road blocks, twists and turns within. First of all not all independence supporters can agree on the best strategy, methodology and even party to put our faith in. Now I mentioned before that my group I belong to are not party affiliated. There are many reasons for this and we each are free to have our own thoughts on this, but going by the conversations I have had with my fellow members the majority is that we just don't trust the politicians. For example we have Alba attacking the SNP who are the largest independence political party at the time of writing this. Attacking other parties is not only defeating the cause the parties involved are pro-porting to exist and fight for, but it depletes the moral in the user base and divides them. Ultimately defeating the very purpose we're all fighting for.

Among the various user groups, hubs and bases all aligned and indeed not aligned with the various parties are people who have gathered for multiple reasons. For some it's nothing more than a social hub or a place to chat with other like minded people. And although this is certainly a good thing for mental health if nothing more, it’s not really furthering the cause in any way, although keeping the conversation of independence alive can only be a good thing. 

There are others that talk a good game but are always missing in action when it comes to actually standing forward and taking action. By this I mean writing blogs, outing false news reports etc. These are just some of the things that my group actively takes part in. Although the group number is large the people actively striking out and taking action is woefully small in comparison. 

There is also a more problematic and dare I say a more poisonous type of person, one that myself and members of my group have experienced. There are groups whether it be in forums or on places like Facebook that are curated by people that pretty much gatekeeper the community as if it’s their one thing in life that have to cling to. They do this at the expense of the groups purpose and indeed to the very detriment of the cause its self. 

If you’re reading this take a step back and think about the groups, Facebook pages or hubs you’re in. What actual steps are you taking? What plans of action do you undertake? I mean posting memes and videos on TikTok and Facebook is all well and good but it’s not going anywhere. In order to move the movement in a positive direction we need to engage with people who are undecided. To engage with people who don’t have the actual facts to make a proper informed decision and even to engage in civil meaningful conversation with people who currently don’t think independence is a good idea. 

People in the group that I belong to also belong and interact with other groups and movements, and what seems to happen more and more is people trying to submit content to groups claiming to be fighting for independence but refusing to spread other people’s work because it’s their little kingdom and they intend on gatekeeping their precious little kingdom. So keep your eyes open for your hubs, and Facebook groups that you belong to and actually question their goals and purposes.

The fight is ours, we must all play our own role